2nd fill, finally feel something

["Nita 0]

OK, well I had my first fill four weeks ago. (didn't post about it because, well, it was horrible and I didn't want to discuss it, LOL) It was done in the office. They had a really hard time finding my port (low profiles are harder to fill I am told) and it took 6 yes I said six sticks before they got it in the port. It isn't that they couldn't feel the port, it is right in the sturnum and easy to feel, they just couldn't get the center of it and with the low profiles, it has to be more center than the traditional port and they are smaller too. That was a horrible first fill experience. I am told that is a very rare unusual thing though so hopefully no one else goes through that on their first fill. Oh, add to that it was not numbed. I was sore and bruised for a few days.

Well, for the first few days I felt a little more restricted but then it went away. While I was eating less than pre-band and maybe a little less than pre-fill, I was hungry all the time. I had a 1.5 fill the first time. (4cc band) I have fluxuated up and down with the same 4 pounds all month. I expected this as I have been told over and over that the band won't really start doing it's job until I am at the correct restriction. Let me add, when you are at this point...have band and a little restriction but feel hungry all the time....you may be prone to try stupid things. LOL I have found that even with just a little restriction. A flour tortilla somehow turns into a painful stabbing brick after it is swallowed!! LOL I also tried rice despite the many warnings I had read. Same thing...thought I would die. So I now know that soft tacos just aren't worth it and I really can't eat rice again. I had told myself I wouldn't even try the potential problem foods cause I could just live without them and no big deal. Why even risk it when there are plenty of other things to eat, LOL but....LOL..at this point I thought maybe I could get in one before I had restriction, nope...didn't work.

well, I went yesterday for fill number two and it was the strangest thing. As he was adding the fill, I could feel it. It felt as if I was eating a huge meal in record time, LOL. For whatever reason, maybe the sweating, nausea and tears that accompanied the very painful first fill or maybe just because it wasn't enough saline, I didn't feel it tightening around my stomach before. Water passed fine but I definetly feel different now. I was on liquid yesterday and mushies today although I can only get down the very softest of mushies and a very small amount at that so keep your fingers crossed that this fill will be much closer to my sweet spot and I will start to see some progress.Should be on solid food tomorrow so I will have an even better idea of my restriction (making allowance for swelling of course)

[I'llsucceed 1]

Good fro you. I too have my second fill & love it so far. I hope you achieve your "sweet spot" & remember to go slow & wait a bit after you begin each solid bite of real food. a few times it caught up to me & its worse to PB when your really tight I found. Best of luck!

[beautifultina 1]

WOW! 6 (six) pokes with a needle before they found your center port? OUCH!! I am a big baby! I think I would have freaked out and demanded some fluro for needle guidance after the third poke!

I have yet to have a fill. I am scheduled to have my first one on September 7th. I am mortified. I asked my doc at my post op appt "OK, I am wondering if I have lost a good amount of weight at my next appointment , May I please not get a fill?" He said, "Tina, if you lose a lot I will not fill you." That answer made my heart SING! :banana I have lost 25 pounds since July 3. I have lost 20 pounds since my sugery. I am 24 days post op. I hope that my weight will continue to drop and that I can avoid the dreaded fill. Is it normal to be afraid of a fill?

[giveyouthemoon 4]

OK, well I had my first fill four weeks ago. (didn't post about it because, well, it was horrible and I didn't want to discuss it, LOL) It was done in the office. They had a really hard time finding my port (low profile's are harder to fill I am told) and it took 6 yes I said six sticks before they got it in the port.

I'm sad to report....I got you beat. I got my first fill on Wednesday and it took SEVEN sticks. Two sticks each with three progressively larger needles and then finally one stick with a HUGE needle (and he had to DIG around in there). OUCH!! No numbing here either. I can count the poke holes in my tummy, they are all red and scabby.

The dr was getting REALLY frustrated but he was so jubilent when he finally hit it, it was kind of funny.

Here's my sad story http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9045

I managed to stay strong through it tho and I got 1.2cc's. I feel pretty good restriction now. PB'd real bad yesterday so I could hardly even get down hot and sour Soup last night. Half cup cottage cheese for Breakfast this morning. I'm hoping this level of restriction stays around!!

["Nita 0]

Don't let my post scare you even more. From everything I have read and heard, that is not the norm. Most fills go without a hitch. And my second one was simple. First poke. Felt like having blood drawn. (just in reverse and in my upper abdoman. LOL) Now, he did say he wanted to do them at the surgury center from now on so he can do them under flouroscope. They don't have flouro in the office. Sounds good to me. He said that he would guess I had some adhesions (which are now going away) that made it harder for him and the nurse to get the needle in the port. ???

Congratulations on doing so great with your weight loss!!!!! But don't be afraid to get filled. That will make it even easier for you to keep up the good work!!!!

[peanuts 0]

Nita, you sound like me. I had my first feel - just one stick though - but I've been hungry all month. I'm eating too much this last week. I go tomorrow for second fill and I'm ready, believe me. This is my first time on Lapband talk but think I'm going to enjoy. You're already an inspiration. Thanks!

[Davyna 0]

I had my first fill today. It was not as bad as I had imagined it. I'm sorry to hear your first fill experience wasn't ideal! Glad to hear the second one went better.

I too have a 4 cc band and they put 1.2 cc in it. I ate 3/4 cup of mushy food for dinner like they said and here I am three hours later starting to feel kinda hungry. I'm just drinking Water and trying not to think about it since it's 10:00 pm lol......

[juliegeraci 7]

Nita, I remember what it was like moving to another fill. You will love not being hungry. Congrats.

[swaffson 0]

I just had my second fill 3 days ago already able to eat solids and have been pretty hungry. I do seem to fill a little quicker. The doctor putin 2 the first fill then at first 1 cc the second fill felt fine to me but he said it was tight so he removed half a cc. hopefully it will tighten up a little more for me. The nurse also suggested that I only put a small portion on my plate and see if that will satisfy me with out the stuffed filling I'm going to do that my next meal since I already progressed to solids. I kind of regret that the liquids and mushies didn't work as well as the last time for me because I usually lose quite a bit of weight when I'm on liquids but all in all I believe I only consumed about 600 calories max today.