First Fill And Disappointed...

[Cyndie B 17]

I went for my first fill last Wednesday and the nurse gave me some lidocaine because it was my first fill and she said I was still swollen. After she gave me that, she tried to find my port and was hurting me so bad I was crying...and I'm not a baby. She gave me more lidocaine and it helped a little but she said she kept hitting the porcelain that was around the band and "couldn't find" the mesh part to stick the needle through. She finally called in another nurse and she found it right away. She extracted 1.8 cc's and then filled it with 2.8 cc's. Needless to say, I thought the fills were going to be easy but mine was not. I still have pain where my port is so maybe next time after I have more time to heal it will be better. Also, can I ask for more of a fill or do I just get the 1 cc every time? I was told I didn't have to be on liquids or anything...I don't feel any differently than I did before my fill...I guess I need to be more proactive when talking to the nurse but to be honest after the pain started I just went into shock mode and didn't ask...although I had to help the nurse count from 1.8 to 2.8 because she kept looking at the syringe trying to figure out how to determine 2.8 cc's...wonderful.

[Cocoabean 430]

Wow, my surgeon never had a problem finding my port. But I don't have a lot of belly fat. My first couple of fills the amount was up to my surgeon. After that, we discussed amount. By that point, he figured I knew what a tiny fill would do to me. Even at that, he'd let me know if he thought I was asking for too much.

So basically what I am saying is, you can ask for more, but ultimately, the decision is with the provider. My surgeon was conservative (but not that conservative!) He said he'd rather I creep up on the green zone than blast through it.

[highland 168]

Scarey! Sounds like you need to ask your surgeon to do the next fill. I have had 6 or 7 fills and they shouldn't hurt!

[honk 780]

That does sound like a nightmare. I have had the nurse twirl the needle around looking for the opening. It did take me until 10.6 CC's in a 11 CC band to get restriction. I was empty at first fill and got 3 CC's. I think my next one was 2 and then it went to 1's. I would ask for the other nurse next time. I prefer one of the nurses at my doctor's office and alway make my appointments with her.

[barbie2009 7]

Be patient you still have about 2 to 3 more fills before you start to really feel the restrictions. What is diffrent is that i have never had a nurse do fills on me i have always had a doctor do the fills.

But be patient you will soon feel restrictions. it took me about my third fill to feel restriction which was about 2 to 3 months. Right now your body is still adjusting to this band around the stomach and is still healing.

Band 12/14/2009

current have: 5.2cc in my band.

last fill 2/22/12 added 1.2cc (new doctor/Dr. Lublin:second visit with him)

[judych 225]

I went for my first fill last Wednesday and the nurse gave me some lidocaine because it was my first fill and she said I was still swollen. After she gave me that, she tried to find my port and was hurting me so bad I was crying...and I'm not a baby. She gave me more lidocaine and it helped a little but she said she kept hitting the porcelain that was around the band and "couldn't find" the mesh part to stick the needle through. She finally called in another nurse and she found it right away. She extracted 1.8 cc's and then filled it with 2.8 cc's. Needless to say, I thought the fills were going to be easy but mine was not. I still have pain where my port is so maybe next time after I have more time to heal it will be better. Also, can I ask for more of a fill or do I just get the 1 cc every time? I was told I didn't have to be on liquids or anything...I don't feel any differently than I did before my fill...I guess I need to be more proactive when talking to the nurse but to be honest after the pain started I just went into shock mode and didn't ask...although I had to help the nurse count from 1.8 to 2.8 because she kept looking at the syringe trying to figure out how to determine 2.8 cc's...wonderful.

ohhhhdear...

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Oh wow that's terrible!

For the record, I have a ton of belly fat but my doc had no problem finding my port and I had no pain. What you went through is not normal at all.

I would insist the doc do the fills himself going forward.

[twi 40]

My dr does fills himself. He has me blow my stomach up and he just stuck the needle in no pain. If you blow up your stomach you will see that the port becomes easier to find

[Hopeful to be full 11]

all the pain you experienced aside, my first fill was disappointing restriction-wise also. I started out with nothing in my band. And my first fill, and all fills since, have been 1 cc. I have had 3 fills and am I 3cc and I'm just starting to feel restriction. I'll tell you what others have told me. "Hang in there. it will happen for you". Also to feel the best possible restriction eat substantial food texture-wise (like fish, chicken, low fat cheese, and vegetables like broccoli and carrots) things that will stay in your pouch and make you feel full. I am trying to do a better job choosing food as well. GOOD LUCK! STAY STRONG!

[AlienBandit 10]

I am sorry you are having problems. At first my fills were not painful but I had my port moved under my muscle and even with my doc and me under an xray machine he still couldnt find my port. Somtimes I would wait until Ihad a surgery so he would fill me while I was under because usually it took up to 30 minutes 2-3 needles and me crying in pain.

I had my port moved again after 16 months and now I could do fills myself it is in such a good spot.

As for restriction all docs are different when it comes to fills. Some are safe and do 1cc at a time etc or some fill you up according to your restriction. I knew someone a low bmi 11cc band got 9cc her first fill!

I choose my fill amount and used to go 1-2cc at a time but now so .2-.5cc for fills.

[Lianne 34]

My Dr does his own fills. He only had trouble finding my port twice. i am often sore for a few days after. But i've found that after loosing some more weight he tends finds it right off. Maybe the nurse wasn't very experienced with fills? i think I agree that you should request a different nurse for the next fill.

[Bandedboomer 7]

I had a similar experience and it was very painful. However, I contacted the doctor and asked him whether or not a fill should hurt that much. He said definitely not! He then had his assistant visit the particular nurse and show her how to find the port. She was instructed to use a pen and follow the outline and draw a circle. With the circle, she couldn't miss the port. After that she now finds the port and no painkiller is necessary. I was also instructed to raise both legs and it makes the port stand out so the fill is easier and now I have fills without pain. I have had six fills by four different people and only the one nurse gave painful fills. The others were painfree. Good luck!

[feliciadawn 22]

Wow, are you kidding me? First of all, NEVER do a fill without fluro. They can't see what their doing and could puncture the tubing, not to mention they have to feel around blindly and cause you more pain and stress. I don't care what anyone says about the radiation from the machine, it's just an x-ray, you get your boobs smashed and x-rayed every year, you'd get an x-ray if it was a broken leg, or for anything else like that, and if they are not doing your fills under fluro, you need to seriously rethink your doctor. Secondly, why are you getting a fill while you are still swollen? Fills should not be done until you are healed, you'll just be causing more irritation around the band and the port, and pain for yourself. Listen to your body and yourself, not your doctor so much. They don't know everything, and that they are so eager to do fills while you are still swollen and healing also makes me concerned about your doctor's policies. While you are healing, you should only be worried about healing and getting enough nutrition, the weight will come off anyway, but don't worry about losing until you are healed and feeling better.

[Cyndie B 17]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement. I went to True Results so it is not like a normal doctor's office. My surgeon doesn't do fills, they are done by a nurse practitioner. She did have me raise my hands above my head and then act like I was doing a sit up so I know it couldn't be that she couldn't find my port...I don't know maybe it was a fluke. All of my fills for the next year were included since I was cash pay so I am sort of stuck going there - anyway, hopefully next one will be uneventful and I will remember to ask my questions.

[Kate rules 43]

I had a fill like that and it left me pretty upset too. Is there another doctor or PA in your office who can do fills? I found mine and we've never had a problem. You can ask for more aggressive fills. My advice is to schedule fill for Mon or Tues just in case you get overfilled and need an emergency unfill over the next few days.