First Fill Tomorrow - I Have a Quick Question

[xine1225 0]

Hi folks,

Tomorrow, I am having my first fill (I had my surgery on 9/17/10), and I wonder if it is okay to eat Breakfast before I go for the fill or if I need to have an empty stomach. I looked over all the literature I received before my surgery and couldn't find anything about it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[eadreel 0]

I just had my first fill and I went from the restaurant to the doctor's office. I never asked my doc if I should or shouldn't eat a normal meal for my current food stage.

I am on liquids for 24 hours after a fill. And so far it is satisfying. I have a total of 4cc's in my band right now.

I couldn't get my fill on my first appointment because my doc couldn't find the port! I was rescheduled to get it done under a fluoroscope and it still took 30 minutes to get the needle in the port. My port is tilted at an odd angle that was hard to get to because he didn't want to accidentally puncture the tubing.

And bring something to do after the appointment. I was too shaky and light headed to drive for about 30-40 minutes after all the poking and prodding and pressing down really hard on my port site.

[AlienBandit 10]

I just had my first fill and I went from the restaurant to the doctor's office. I never asked my doc if I should or shouldn't eat a normal meal for my current food stage.

I am on liquids for 24 hours after a fill. And so far it is satisfying. I have a total of 4cc's in my band right now.

I couldn't get my fill on my first appointment because my doc couldn't find the port! I was rescheduled to get it done under a fluoroscope and it still took 30 minutes to get the needle in the port. My port is tilted at an odd angle that was hard to get to because he didn't want to accidentally puncture the tubing.

And bring something to do after the appointment. I was too shaky and light headed to drive for about 30-40 minutes after all the poking and prodding and pressing down really hard on my port site.

Wow it sounds like you had a hard time with your fill. Luckiy that has never happened to me.

As for the question asked, I never eat before a fill. This is because my doctor makes me drink some liquids before I leave after I get a fill and if I am too tight and some food is still present I am afraid it will get stuck.

[xine1225 0]

Thanks for the input and advice. I think, just to be on the safe side, I'll just have a Protein Shake a few hours before I go for the fill. Good luck to all on their journey to better health and happiness!!

[Humming Bird 275]

It depends on the time of day for the fill. I usually get a late morning appt. I drink a Protein Shake in the morning and by the time I get a fill my stomach is empty.

[xavier 153]

I have always heard nothing for 2-4 hrs before fill.

Would advise ultrasound over fluoro to find port...no radiation involved!

[eadreel 0]

My port is sitting really really wonky and the ultra sound didn't show the tubing, which he didn't want to puncture because he had to come in from the high side. Whatever that means. Basically the syringe has to be laid almost flat on my tummy with the plunger top pointing toward my head and the needle toward my feet.

At least I won't have to have another fluoro session (probably took 10 pictures or more)! I have had way over 25 x-rays of varying types, so the risks for me are already on the high side.

I am sure that most fills are easy and not too difficult, I just drew the short straw on this one.

I did not know about not eating. I will probably start doing that with the next fill.

[cduval04 7]

I had similar issues, took forever to find center. doctor was so frusterated she was cussing . I was laughing at that. she moved the thing for like 5 min and then she said she bent the tip of the needle so had to stick me again....second needle took her just as long...finally she said she found it but she didn't have me leaving very confident...its not the stick that hurts it when they move it around every which way in there that gets you kind of woozy after awhile.....of course the fact that I still have no restriction doesnt boost my confidence either.

[Acadia 20]

My Dr. has the rule that if you get a fill between 0800-1200 then no food or drink after midnight. If you get your fill from 1300-1700 then no food after 0600. It's better if your stomach is nice and empty.