1st Fill - much easier than expected!

[hiddnstar 167]

I was banded July 7th and had my first fill Aug. 13th. My doc uses a floroscope for the first fill, only.

I was glad I wore sweat pants and a loose blouse. Wearing a bra was important because he had me tuck my blouse up under it so that when the table lifted me into a standing position my blouse would stay out of the way.

I layed on the table and they used the scope to see the position of the band and exactly where my port was. Found out I have a size ten band. The doc then painted my belly with an antiseptic. He inserted the needle, which hurt very very briefly -- somewhere between getting a blood test and a shot. By the time I felt it, the pain was gone again. I only felt it go thru the skin. Once it is inside the port, it is contained in there -- not in me, so I didnt feel it.

Then he raised the table so I was in a standing position, while keeping the needle in the port. This did not hurt.

He had me sip a watered down version of white stuff, flavored with lemon-lime. He put in a little saline solution. Had me sip more. Put in more. Had me sip more. Then we were done.

He put a bandaide on the port spot.

I felt slightly different leaving, than when I arrived. Cant put my finger on it exactly.

Afterward, when I got home my face was somewhat flushed for about an hour. My port area was slightly sore for about 1 day. I also felt more comfy sitting in a chair that leans back a bit rather than straight up.

Now, two days later I feel good. The only difference Im noticing is that I am not hungry

I stuck to the full liquids for two days after the fill.

I'll be finding out about restriction today, I guess.

I hope the details are helpful to someone. I was scared about going for my first fill, but it was truly no big deal. In fact it was kind of exciting to be moving on to the next part of this journey -- Lets see what this being banded is all about!

I feel, personally, like the band is my back-up support. So far I have been able to stay on a strict diet. If I have a weak moment, the band backs me up. I am not looking to the band to do the work for me -- that is my job, and Im actually finding it fun!

hiddn

[Mr180 0]

Good info to know, i'm less than 2 weeks away from my first fill.

[ArmyWives 1]

Thanks for that... I was banded on the 11 of Aug. and I was kinda wondering how the fill process works... Thanks for easing those thoughts and worries!

[dman3998 0]

I feel, personally, like the band is my back-up support. So far I have been able to stay on a strict diet. If I have a weak moment, the band backs me up. I am not looking to the band to do the work for me -- that is my job, and Im actually finding it fun!

hiddn

looks like I am a week behind you, I really like your attitude, I could use some of that Iron will. I am getting the first fill in 2 days and hope for the best. I basically can eat any thing and almost as much as I want right now. Just has to go down much slower. I mostly eat the right foods just too much of them. I am hoping I dont have to go 4 or more fills before I have any restriction. It seems most have to have at least 2-3 before it starts working.

[hiddnstar 167]

Im finding I can eat just about anything right now after having my first fill. So...Im kinda pretending that I can't. I have been very careful because I don't want to get anything stuck, etc. So, Im eating "as if" I have restriction :confused: The one I DO notice, though, is that I am rarely hungry!! Im so very happy about THAT! I no longer wake up hungry. Yahoo!!! For me, if it stays exactly this way I can deal with it. But Im sure with the next fill (or possibly two) I will get the restriction people talk about.

Im glad to hear what I wrote earlier about my first fill was helpful. My doctor does only the first one at the hospital under the florascope. My next one will be in his office.

One word of advice, wear an old top and old bottoms. My doctor says the betadine can stain clothes...

Hang in there everyone! We're all doing it one bite at a time!

love, hiddn