Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 6/6/2009

Question
I got the lapband surgery in 2006 and have lost 100 lbs (60 to go).  Unfortunately I had to have a second surgery Feb. 2009 because the band was leaking.  The surgeon replaced everything at that time.  I had nothing but pain and problems since the 2nd surgery and there was a large, hard lump sticking out of my abdomen.  So, I had my 3rd surgery yesterday and it turned out that the pain and the large lump were caused by scar tissue.  The surgeon removed a lot of it.  My question is what can I do to prevent the scar tissue from forming?  Or is there a way I can minimize the amount of scar tissue that is formed?  deep massage?  ultrasound? laser?
Thank you so much.
Mary

Answer
Mary,
My best understanding is that the scar tissue has formed around your port.  If that's correct, then the bad news is that there is not much you can do to impact the amount or the prominence of the scar tissue that forms because your body will naturally and inevitably form a scar capsule around your port.

The good news is that the prominence and discomfort of your earlier scar tissue was probably related somehow to the position of the port and/or the tubing.  I'm betting your surgeon fixed this issue by repositioning the port at the time of your operation - you may wish to ask him/her for some additional detail on this.

Best of luck!
Dr JP