How the Lap-Band actually works, fills and refills

[ewalk 1]

My port is behind a 1-2 inch scar to the right of my navel. The dr has to go through the scar to hit the top of the port, which is where, I believe the fill goes through. If it went into the tubing, why wouldn't it leak out? Just wondering. My dr. kept trying to go at an angle and it turns out that my port is tilted slightly, so I recommended that he try to fill me standing up and he said it made it very easy to find the port.

[BANDIT GIRL 1]

My Dr doesn't put the needle through my scar. The scar is where the port site is. He puts the needle below to insert the saline through the tubing. Make sense? He never misses and I am restricted.

That is kinda a weird way of doing a fill. Wouldn't sticking the tubing with the needle cause the tubing to leak?? I have read one of the complications of lap band is tube leakage. The purpose of the port is to do fills.It has a soft spot in the middle for the needle. Never heard of that way of doing a fill. But if it is working for you....then happy days!!

[amsderb 1]

I just read the end of this thread and want to put my 2 cents in ....

My port is below my scar because the scar is where they origionally had an instrument for the banding then they use that access to attach the port on the muscle fascia.....so

During a fill the needle is put at the port site not the scar site...The port is for injecting not the tubing....it is made of a material that will accept the needle and not leak out....hopefully!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Shelly, I met with someone yesterday that has the same band as you by the same dr. She said it took her 4 fills to get restriction. I remember you asking me that, so I thought I would pass it along.

[tnag86 0]

I have been told to drink fluids for two days after my first fill ( This Thurs) and then mushies for two days. What kind of fluids have ya'll been able to drink? Can you drink Protein Shakes and smoothies okay? I'm nervous. I'm hoping for some restriction, not too much, but a noticeable amt. Not asking for much am I? LOL Nancy

[amsderb 1]

Thanks for the info Denise...maybe 3 will be my charm!

tnag86...My doc likes about 3 days of clear liquids...ugh! Anyway, I have done mostly broth and herbal teas....

I did have an Isopure drink which had Protein but I hate fake fruit flavors so...ugh...the green tea one is ok...I also like to drink this stuff from HiHealth...if you have one...called Coconut Water......it has a tiny bit of fructose so it helps to keep me from the headache I experienced after the first fill.....It also has Calcium and potassium which is good...it said to be natures sports drink....

I also have drank Smart Water because it has electrolytes in it...all about staying hydrated....

I must admit, I have had a Protein Shake about late day 2....I was not swollen so it went down fine....it was not clear....

So, some people can just do 1 day of liquids and then mushies....I try and hold out....

Good Luck!

[tnag86 0]

amsderb, thanks for the scoop? So you do Clear Liquids mostly, not full? I don't know if I could last that long on clears? Did you feel pretty good restriction after first fill? I know it varies a lot!!! Nancy

[amsderb 1]

Hi Nancy, unfortunately I did not feel restriction but it did diminish my hunger between meals some....

I suppose for a few weeks I felt a bit of a restriction....I am really hoping this 3rd fill will do it...everyone is different....My band is a 9cc band and I have 6cc's so maybe if they put in 1 - 1.5 more I will be there.....you do not want to be too tight but not too light either...I haven't had anything stuck so that's all good!

So good luck on your fill and I'll let you know about mine Tuesday.

[Kay7 0]

how are the fills done? does it hurt?

[Kay7 0]

I am from WV and will be having lapband as well as hernia surgery.

I was wondering how long will I have to be off from Work? Have you had your surgery yet? If so when, and how much have you lost?

[BellaPerdente 0]

I am from WV also. I was off work about a week. I know some people are off shorter times and others longer but I think the average is about a week. I had my surgery on July 17 with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver and I lost 10 pounds pre-op and 30 pounds post-op. Forty pounds and counting. They tell you to expect 1 or 2 pounds per week.

[amsderb 1]

OK...so today I had my third fill...

So here is the scoop......I think my tummy was still numb from the surgery because my first fill was a piece of cake.

OK....now don't freak...my second fill I had a newer fill nurse practitioner and she had to "poke" me twice...it is not horrible but they do not numb us at our doc's...some do..

Today was my third fill...the first fill nurse parctitioner did it...I DID feel it a bit but it is not like I'd go and cry or anything at all...It is just not a comfortable feeling...

I am not trying to freak anyone out...I would definitely still do this again and it is no worse than a shot...so...if this is what it takes to loose weight for good.... I am in!

Good Luck!

[Donna113 2]

I got my second fill yesterday. My first fill was 8/19 (3 ccs in 8 cc band). Yesterday, they took out 3 ccs then put in 4 ccs, the Water didn't go down very well so they took out .5 cc and then the water went down real fast. I said I didn't think it was tight enough but the Nurse Practitioner said she didn't want me to be too tight so I should just leave it at 3.5 ccs for now and I might find that in a couple of days I feel more restriction. We'll see. I plan on being aggressive with my fills. If I don't feel more restriction/dimishing of hunger between meals, then I'm going to keep going back until I get it right. I paid for a full year of unrestricted fills/unfills for just this reason.

[amsderb 1]

Now that you mentioned it...I have heard that some people feel more restricted several days later...

My Water always goes down fine. It is funny how different our bodies are...some people only need like 1 fill...

I am still on liquids and I do feel a bit of pressure...so,maybe I'll see a difference! Good luck to you Dionna.

[kdstand 0]

I just had my second fill on Thursday. I have noticed I am having pulsating contractions in my stomach. Not in my chest but in my upper stomach where the band would be. They are painful and happen throughout the day. It doesn't happen just when I eat or drink. I can be sitting down and they hit me all of a sudden. I am not sure if this is esophageal spasms as the symptoms are different than what i have been told. Has anyone ever had these particular symptoms and I wonder if it is because of this last fill....