Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

i'm confused...how does a fill work?



Recommended Posts

I'm new here and i looked in the fill thread, but i'm a little confused on how a doctor fills you. I seem to be overlooking that... Do you just walk in and are able to walk out shortly after? i'm having a hard time picturing this...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I have a fill, I lay down on a bed with a pillow under my loyer back, The Dr freezes the area and a few minutes later injects the saline into the port, puts a bandaid on it in case it bleeds and helps me sit up, Then I drink a glass of Water to be sure I'm not too tight. Then i leave. No discomfort at all and I can eat right after. Different Drs do it differently and some people have to do liquids for a day or so after. Hope thar's some help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The band has a sort of empty balloon lining its inner circumference. This is attached to some tubing, in turn attached to a port. A needle is used to peentrate the (self-healing) port and inject saline, which travels through the tubing and into the balloon, filling it, which tightens the esophagus.

When my surgeon does fills it takes a total of maybe 2 mins and goes like this:

Lay down, surgeon pushes around until he finds the port. Location is marked, surgeon gets the syringe (already filled with saline). Needle is poked through the skin into the port, saline is injected, port is pulled out, area is wiped down and a band-aid is applied. Then we're given a glass of Water to drink, to ensure we aren't too tight. It's quick, doesn't hurt, and you leave with a tiny needle mark and a band-aid.

3769d1141193255-technical-lap-band-reference-10cm-vg-lapbands.jpg

lapband-illustration.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The band has a sort of empty balloon lining its inner circumference. This is attached to some tubing, in turn attached to a port. A needle is used to peentrate the (self-healing) port and inject saline, which travels through the tubing and into the balloon, filling it, which tightens the esophagus.

When my surgeon does fills it takes a total of maybe 2 mins and goes like this:

Lay down, surgeon pushes around until he finds the port. Location is marked, surgeon gets the syringe (already filled with saline). Needle is poked through the skin into the port, saline is injected, port is pulled out, area is wiped down and a band-aid is applied. Then we're given a glass of Water to drink, to ensure we aren't too tight. It's quick, doesn't hurt, and you leave with a tiny needle mark and a band-aid.

3769d1141193255-technical-lap-band-reference-10cm-vg-lapbands.jpg

lapband-illustration.gif

thank you so much for you responses...the visuals really helped!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My fills take about 2 minutes total. I sit in a chair that reclines, like at the dentist. He also raises it so he is closer to my port (he's standing). He injects a needle into my port, which can be felt through my skin pretty easily. They don't numb me and it feels about the same as any injection (and less painful than a blood draw) He injects the Fluid which takes two seconds then has me drink Water, leaving the needle in me (this is the only kind of freaky part for me!) If the water goes down pretty well he will usually inject a little more - he keeps doing this 'til I feel restriction when I drink. Then he sticks a bandaid on me and off I go. That's it! The pictures you guys posted on here were great and would be very helpful to anyone who doesn't 'get' what a fill does. Thanks for doing that!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LadyVeteran1

      Sleeve surgery is on April 14th.  I am counting the days!!  Can't wait!
      · 2 replies
      1. Brookie2shoes

        Me too girl!! Are you in the full liquid diet right now? It’s sooooo hard!

      2. LadyVeteran1

        Not yet. I was told I only have to do 24 hours of a liquid diet. But I have my pre-op tomorrow so I’m going to confirm if I need to do longer.

    • buildabetteranna

      Down 33 lbs and slightly stalled, but I'm gonna reevaluate and push through. I started back to work last week after 2 years of being disabled due to mental health as well as my weight. It's a great job and I'm just so happy to have this opportunity at a second chance at life. Hope everyone is having their best journey ❤️ Together, we got this!
      · 2 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Great work Anna! Keep it up 😁

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 1 reply
      1. stevieoriole

        Am feeling this right now. My surgery date is 4/1. Sign the consent tomorrow. I feel like I overloaded myself with too much info, too many opinions. Got to the point where I was wondering if I should do this. Then I thought of my reasons for taking this step and that settled my nerves. Still get moments of doubt but am striving forward. Am just going to follow my book from the surgeon. Joined this because I was told by my dietician that I should do this for support

    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×