Fill

[mkcougar99 16]

Getting my first fill in 2 weeks. Had procedure done on April 15. Can't wait to have it filled. The wait is the worst. I have been eating clean and have lost 35 lbs. I also go to the gym 3-4 days a week and walk about 2.5 miles each time. On weekends take puppy for a walk with hubby. Once I get filled hopefully the weight will come off quicker. Ugh the dreaded wait is the worst..

What can I expect to feel like or be like after my first fill??? Please tell me your adventures so I can be prepared!!! ????

[BlueMoon~T 276]

Congrats on your surgery!

You'll find everyone's dr does fills differently. In my case my office uses a fluoroscope. So, they take an x-Ray verify everything looks good. I lay down on a table with a wedge, they spray some numbing spray on my port area, then insert the needle. My first fill was 3ccs. I have a 14 cc band. I then stand with the needle still in my port. Drink some barium under the fluoroscope. I watch while the liquid funnels through my band. Just a side note. It took me three fills to feel like I was in the green. About 2 months ago I had a .5 cc tweak. But, that's just my experience Everyone is different!

Most importantly this is YOUR journey. It sounds like your doing a great job. Keep that focus and your going to do great! There's nothing like watching the pounds melt away and the feeling of," Yes, that's right I can do this!".

Best wishes!

[2muchfun 8,927]

Bluemoon is one of the lucky ones. Most docs don't fill under fluoroscope. Most just wing it. It's less expensive to just stick a needle in your port and squeeze 2-3 CCs into your band.

I love my doctor but he wings it. It took me 3 fills to even feel any restriction and 6 to reach the green zone(not hungry for 4+ hours). Your experience could be different?

BTW-Don't expect any huge difference or you may be disappointed? It's rarely a situation where suddenly you can only eat 1/4th of what you ate before. X fingers I'm wrong?

[Bandista 7,466]

I remember the anticipation of my first fill. Mine are not done under fluoroscopy either, but I like to think that is available should it ever be needed (I did have fluro the morning after surgery, so I know they have that but don't know how billing works as radiology services are separate, etc.). Anyway, this is how it goes for me. We chat for a few minutes then I lay down on the table with my arms up in the air. The surgeon feels around for the port then uses a needle to numb the area. It really is just a pinch. Nothing. The fill itself is really quick and all of the sudden he is handing me an arm to help me sit up. I drink a glass of Water to make sure everything is going down well and that's it. There is a bandaid and I react to that so am careful to ask for paper tape. I generally have some bruising after a fill -- I bruise easily -- but there is no pain whatsoever. Good luck to you -- you are doing great!

[mkcougar99 16]

Thanks everyone. I will be going next Thursday for the Fill. It is done under fluoroscope. First I meet at the office upstairs in the hospital and see the doctor and Nutritionist. Then they bring me downstairs to radiology and they do the fluoroscope fill. They only do the fluoroscope on the first fill. Then I leave and I'm all done. Should be an interesting experience.