About to have my first fill

[martom 0]

Hey everyone,

I am scheduled for my first fill on Wednesday, October 28th and would like to know what to expect. Do they numb the area before they stick the needle in the port? How much do they usually do the first time? I am just really nervous about this first fill. :wink2: I had my banding done on October 7th and things have been going well. Any insight or advice would be helpful. Thanks!!

[kiz 1]

Some docs numb the area and some don't. Mine doesn't, and I've never had any pain. In fact, I can barely feel it. I'm sure part or most of the reason is my port area is numb. Whether I've had my fill done by a NP or the doctor, it's only taken one quick stick. The amount of your fill varies from doc to doc too. Some put a small fill in during surgery, so you might not get as much if you already have some. My first fill was 4.5cc in a 9cc band.

[isaviolinist 11]

My doc doesn't numb - its either one stick or two. Fills have not really been painful at all either. So far, my fills have been under fluoro. I was SOO nervous the first two times, but its really nothing. I still get a little nervous because I really hate needles. I can't remember how much my first fill was (it says it in my signature) - something like 5 cc. Im going for my 4th fill on Wednesday. Good luck!

[martom 0]

Well, I had my first fill today and it was a lot easier than I was expecting. The nurse told me that they deaden the nerves around the port so you really cannot feel it when they insert the needle. She did have to do it twice since we figured out my port is lopsided. She ended up having to go in at an angle. All in all, it was ok. I found out he filled me to 1cc on the day of my surgery and she added another 3cc's today so that puts me at a total of 4cc's in a 10cc band! She did tell me I would have to drink Protein Shakes for the first 24 hours since I may swell but I haven't noticed the liquid having a hard time getting down. I am so glad I had this done! This was the best decision I ever made!! :thumbup:

[kiz 1]

I'm gald to hear your fill went so well!! :thumbup:

[Shmoopy 0]

congrats martom. it's an exciting journey!! :thumbup:

I'm not a big fan of needles so to me it "hurts" even when she "numbed" it the first time. But having said that, it hurts for like a nano-second. I just put on my big-girl pants (no pun intended) and get it done. I'm due for my third fill next week. I'm doing pretty good with the two I already have, so I'm curious to see how I feel after a third!

[martom 0]

Thanks Shmoopy!! I see you are doing well with your weight loss. :thumbup: How much exercising are you doing?

[Shmoopy 0]

Thanks Shmoopy!! I see you are doing well with your weight loss. :thumbup: How much exercising are you doing?

I am going to be honest with you, at first I was into cardio. I have a stationary bike at home (got it in the divorce. Thank you!). But then I started a weight training regimen and the cardio is nearly extinct at this point (not really doing it). I find that I do the free weights (some machines, but mostly free weights) three times a week. Alternating, so lets say upper body on M and F, and legs on W. The next week, legs on M and F and then upper body on W. I've been doing that for 12 weeks now. And I have to give a lot of credit to that. I heard that building the muscle burns calories more or faster or something. So I had a guy friend who lifted, and I had him help me put together a schedule for me. Nothing crazy!! But 8-10 different things for upper body and three for legs, and I force myself to go. I have a gym I can go to at work, so its so easy for me to pop in there right after work. I think eventually, once the weight loss starts to slow down or stop, I'll have to pick up with the cardio again,but as of right now, I'm steadily losing 1-3lbs a week. So I'm not complaining. I eat very well and do the free weights. and it's worked for me!!

I never experienced the "bandster hell" that everyone talks about. I mean, the first two weeks after surgery sucked majorly but I've done pretty good so far.

[FeatherHen2010 0]

Hey martom -- I had my first fill today too. My doc hit my port on the first jab. It didn't hurt, but it was trippy how you can really feel it the moment they inject the saline.

After reading your dosage I feel like a wimp! Mine was installed empty and I only got 2.5 ccs today; yet it still kind of feels like I have a lump in my throat when I swallow water!

I was really looking forward to starting on my "mushy" phase today -- but now, I think it'll need to wait. :thumbup: