First Fill

[pennreporter 12]

Was banded June 1. Had first fill today, 3ccs. I had went a couple of weeks ago with my daughter when she went to get a fill just so I could see what it was like. Clearly her doctor who has done 700 bands, it's much easier for her, took no time. My doctor, although I think he's great, when he pulled out the mother-of-gawd long needles (about twice the length of my daughter's doctor), my first question to him was "surely you know what you're doing." He did an initial numbing shot...thank god. So otherwise, I didn't feel anything, bled just a little. My daughter thinks I'm exaggerating. So when I go next month for a follow-up/fill if necessary, I'm taking a pic of it.

I won't say I feel as full as the two weeks post-surgery but a vast improvement over the past two weeks where I had no restriction at all. Weight loss is 19 lbs since June 1, which I'm fine with. I'm actually okay with the Weight Watchers suggested weight loss of about 2 lbs a week.

But I will tell you the needle was huge. Luckily my doctor and I joke around with each other all the time and that took the stress off...just told him if I felt pain he might get kicked...:biggrin: But i'm now off all restrictions on foods. Finally can have veggies and don't have to see the nutritionist for three months.

So all is good. Good luck to the rest of the banders who are coming up soon. I was shocked to hear a June bander has already had two fills and going for the third. I haven't heard of any doctors that aggressive, even my daughter's doctor who is one of the original team that introduced the procedure to the US and has done 4,000 plus waits until at least 4-6 weeks post op for first fill.

Just goes to show the variation in practice/diets post and preop that is out there.

Trisha

[june09bandit 0]

LOL Trish - that's the same needle they used on me. That thing was larger than what gets used on the horses!!! I didn't get the numbing stuff first, but it did not hurt at all.

So you didn't have to do a day of liquids? Lucky.

I had my first day of no food restrictions on Monday. I tried to keep my appetite in check, but I really wanted a handful of Fritos!

[NYGuy 0]

I joined the band on June 4. Had my first fill last week, 4cc's. But I have the newish Realize C band and I've read that it needs a biigger initial fill than either the old Realize or the Lap-Band.

I am feeling restriction, I've had to eat and drink more slowly and carefully.

For those who aren't feeling restriction and are worried because you think you should.... read what the veterans (and my adjustments specialist) say about fills. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!

For the first few weeks I had been able to chow down big mouthfuls and was starting to wonder what all the talk about small bites was all about. The nutritionist assured me, "Don't worry. You'll find out." She, of course, was right.

I'm feeling full a good four hours now, though I was told I should eat something every three.... five or six times a day. I wonder if I should force myself or listen to my stoma. Maybe this'll resolve itself over time.

And LAWZY that needle is big but GOSH is it ever painless even without numbing. I wasn't given any anesthetic. Maybe that's because my port is so close to the surface. (It actually is a lump on my tum. You could find it in the dark! I hope it goes down or I'll never get those swimsuit modelling contracts I'm anticipating will come pouring in down the road!):smile2:

[pennreporter 12]

NYGuy, I have the Realize C also and I also have a lump. And he still had me put a pillow in my low back and push out. But my surgeon can count on both hands how many bands he's placed. So I was perfectly fine with him numbing the area first, especially if I'm his test rat. I only got 3cc but was fine with that only because I was expecting him to be ultraconservative. I'm at least getting the "full" feeling back that I hadn't had in a couple of weeks.

LBNDOC, I never thought of a horse needle. Now I really have to take a picture of it next time...lol

No, no liquids but to be careful for a few days. But I had my first fruit today, sugar free canned peaches with cottage cheese. it sure doesn't take much to make me happy these days with food...:smile2:

Trisha