Lap-Bands are filled by injecting saline solution into a port
A Lap-Band is a silicone band that is placed around the stomach to limit the amount of food a person can eat in order to facilitate weight loss. Doctors adjust the tightness of the band by injecting saline solution into the band through a port that lies just below the skin.
Post-Surgery Pain
After Lap-Band placement, patients often feel some pain over the port site for several days. This pain is usually not severe and is usually well controlled with pain medication.
Pain During Fills
Doctors fill the Lap-Band with saline solution by injecting it with a fine needle through the port. Patients report that fills are not very painful and usually hurt less than getting an intramuscular injection or having blood drawn.
Erosion
Occasionally the Lap-Band causes erosion of the stomach. Symptoms of erosion include pain over the port site along with redness and swelling. Treatment usually involves removing the band.
Infection
If the port area becomes infected, patients may experience pain there. Infection must often be treated by replacing the port or removing the band.
Types of Bands
The Lap-Band is a specific type of adjustable gastric band. Other types of bands include the Realize band. Because the Realize band port is not attached to the stomach with sutures, patients may experience less pain at the port site than Lap-Band patients.
