My trip to the filling station

Darragha · October 19, 2007

10/17, 4pm, I had my first "fill." Apparently the doctor left "3cc of primer" in my band which means I've been working with a slight fill since being banded. I knew that. I've had cold salmon and noodles get "stuck."

The nurse had me lay down on a table top and lift my legs with knees straight after asking me numerous "banding" questions.

She scolded me for not getting in enough "chewy" Protein (like chicken) and for not drinking milk. I'm also supposed to add a high Fiber Cereal to my yogurt. I am "off" smooth things and need to eat solids that will "stop at the band." I thought I was doing that, but apparently not!

As I lifted my legs she poked around to find my port, than jabbed me with a needle and withdrew the 3cc of saline already in my band. She then added 2cc more. I sat up and drank some Water. The Water got "stuck." My band, filled to 5cc, was too tight. I had to endure another poke so that the nurse could remove 1.5 cc, leaving me with 4.5 in my band.

I got the water down, went home and ate dinner, did fine with Breakfast and then had my "snack" at 10:30 a.m. I couldn't eat my 10 grapes. I made it through 7 of them (chew chew chew) and was "finished." I waited awhile, then ate the last three. I was ravenous at 11:40, so I ate my handful of spinach leaves, salsa and garden burger. Everything went down OK. I made it through the day, cooked dinner and didn't run into a problem until I popped some Ibuprofen to get rid of a headache and STUCK! I think I need to get smaller pills!

It took awhile, but the pill went down and my evening snack of a handful of blueberries has been fine.

My fill hurt. It bled and I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive on the bandaid and have a rash. I suppose it will get easier and easier to be filled--but hopefully my sweet spot will be found right away and I won't have to be poked once a month for the next year!

I weighted 324 fully clothed with clogs at 4:00 p.m. at the "fill" clinic. I weighed 333 fully clothed the day of my banding. That's 9lbs lost or 3lbs a week, which is exactly what I'm suppose to be doing. My starting weight was 347 on August 1st. Last time I weighed myself without clogs, in the morning wearing lighter clothing, I was 320.

I'm on my way!

My next fill is 11/7. I'm going to increase my walking from 10-20 minutes per day to 30, too. I finally feel like I'm coming out of the surgical fog and am definitely having more energy now.

stacy73 · October 19, 2007

I had my fill today-it was weird becasue my doc said he just knew how much to put it-he put in 4.4 cc-my band holds 10cc- I do feel a bit different and have any had 1 c Soup total all day-could barely get the Water down at the dr ofc-it took me 15 min to sip 3 little dixie cups full of water- I hope this starts up my weight loss again- I have been at a standstill the last 3 weeks- I lost most of the weight to date just right after banding.next fill is not until 11/29

METALBAND · October 19, 2007

10/17, 4pm, I had my first "fill." Apparently the doctor left "3cc of primer" in my band which means I've been working with a slight fill since being banded. I knew that. I've had cold salmon and noodles get "stuck."
The nurse had me lay down on a table top and lift my legs with knees straight after asking me numerous "banding" questions.

She scolded me for not getting in enough "chewy" Protein (like chicken) and for not drinking milk. I'm also supposed to add a high Fiber Cereal to my yogurt. I am "off" smooth things and need to eat solids that will "stop at the band." I thought I was doing that, but apparently not!

As I lifted my legs she poked around to find my port, than jabbed me with a needle and withdrew the 3cc of saline already in my band. She then added 2cc more. I sat up and drank some Water. The Water got "stuck." My band, filled to 5cc, was too tight. I had to endure another poke so that the nurse could remove 1.5 cc, leaving me with 4.5 in my band.

I got the water down, went home and ate dinner, did fine with Breakfast and then had my "snack" at 10:30 a.m. I couldn't eat my 10 grapes. I made it through 7 of them (chew chew chew) and was "finished." I waited awhile, then ate the last three. I was ravenous at 11:40, so I ate my handful of spinach leaves, salsa and garden burger. Everything went down OK. I made it through the day, cooked dinner and didn't run into a problem until I popped some Ibuprofen to get rid of a headache and STUCK! I think I need to get smaller pills!

It took awhile, but the pill went down and my evening snack of a handful of blueberries has been fine.

My fill hurt. It bled and I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive on the bandaid and have a rash. I suppose it will get easier and easier to be filled--but hopefully my sweet spot will be found right away and I won't have to be poked once a month for the next year!

I weighted 324 fully clothed with clogs at 4:00 p.m. at the "fill" clinic. I weighed 333 fully clothed the day of my banding. That's 9lbs lost or 3lbs a week, which is exactly what I'm suppose to be doing. My starting weight was 347 on August 1st. Last time I weighed myself without clogs, in the morning wearing lighter clothing, I was 320.

I'm on my way!

My next fill is 11/7. I'm going to increase my walking from 10-20 minutes per day to 30, too. I finally feel like I'm coming out of the surgical fog and am definitely having more energy now.

I can't believe you can eat right after a fill. I will be on liquids for 3 days and mushies for 4!!

METALBAND · October 19, 2007

Sorry, I forgot to say that I got my second fill today to 1.4 ml in a 4ml band.

METALBAND · October 19, 2007

Sorry but I just realized you said you took ibuprofen.I was told that I can never take any form of Ibuprofen. It could do some damage to the inside of you pouch. Even in liquid form.....you should check with your doc on that. Just and FYI

Darragha · October 19, 2007

I've never been told not to take Ibuprofen. I will ask, however.

And about eating...I figured I was supposed to be on liquids or mushies after a fill but the nurse told me to EAT.

I'm doing fine, and I do have restriction. But I haven't downed a whole roast chicken yet (as if!)

Darr

distant0098 · October 19, 2007

I cant take big pills either, However for headaches i can swallow Aleve with no problem what so ever...They work too!!!

TulipStar · October 19, 2007

I had my first fill yesteday too. I had no Fluid in my band. She didn't tell how much. This morning I ate a egg white from a hard boiled egg and felt restriction! Hooray!!!

bmysuccess · October 19, 2007

Baned 8/29/07 I got my second fill 10/18 up to 7.6 CC"s. My doc's nurse has you lay down, injection to numb location, gives fill then has you set up with needle still in and has you drink Water. I only get 2 sticks and don't feel anything during it. I must admit I was scared silly when I went to get first fill. Sorry you had a bad experience.