My First Fill....Strange!

My first fill! Yeah! What a ton of weird feelings. I never had anyone walk me through what it was like to have a fill, so I am going to put it down here. Well first I should say that Dr. Kirshenbaum is the one that did my fill and every doctor is probably different.

So I went in and they weighed me. I don’t mind getting on the scale as long as the numbers are going down. I went into the exam room and there was a sonogram machine on one side of the table. So I laid down on the exam table and the doctor came in and felt for my port. No problem. That was easy. He cleaned my tummy with alcohol and then betadine. He asked if I was ready and after I said yes her poked me with the syringe. It didn’t hurt at all. He worked on getting all the air out of the syringe/needle. I had a little stinging sensation a couple of times, but I think that was either the saline hitting the inside of the port or from the needle being in where I’m not used to having a needle. J He had 2 syringes. One had 1.7 of saline in it and the other had like 2.5 of saline. He put the 1.7 in my band and then had me stand up.

So now I have a needle sticking out of my tummy. Yeah it was as weird as it seemed! I drank some water without any problem. So now he puts more saline in and says drink some more water. OMG! I it just stayed in my pouch. Just sat there! It felt so strange. I wanted to cough it up or something. He took out about .5cc and then no problem.

Now we did the dance. He put in .4cc and I took a drink and there was a definite hesitation in my pouch and then a tiny burp down there and it drained. He took out .2cc and I could drink and a tiny hesitation and then it drained. He took out .1cc and no hesitation now. I can drink and it was just fine. 2.8cc for my first fill. I know the number is arbitrary, but still nice to know.

I took food with me so I didn’t have to worry about what I was going to eat. It has been a habit that has been working pretty well. Even if DH and kids eat at McDonalds I have something to eat. So anyway I had some cottage cheese and chicken salad. No problem. I went to TGI Fridays and had a grilled chicken breast. Small mindful bites and no problem. I can’t believe that .10cc more and I would be too tight. That is only a couple of drops of saline. Amazing. I guess the band is much touchier than I thought. I think some doctors have set amounts for fill. (.5 for each one or something.) I’m glad Dr. K isn’t like that. Fill till restriction then pull back just enough. Sounds good to me. Oh then he pulled out the syringe. WEIRD!!!!! No pain though.

I will go back January 9th for my second fill. I even got to meet someone from lapbandtalk.com! That was cool too.

The girls in the office today recommended this thrift store for cheap in-between jeans. So I look for jeans and I finally see this one pair of petite jeans. There were a size 18P Sonoma brand for $4 so I thought I would get them and they can be a goal. I started in a size 22 and they are baggy, but my only jeans so I wore them today. So I just got home from Denver (7 hr drive) and I hold them up and say to myself that there is NO WAY, but I'll try and see how far I get...they will be my first pair of "goal jeans".

Guess what...yep! THEY FIT!!!! Not comfy enough to lounge around the house, but I can wear them out if I want to. WOW! What a day. My first fill and this!

Glad someone reported how a fill felt. I have my first fill on Wednesday the 10th....Can't wait. I don't believe I have any restriction or if I do it isn't a whole lot. I am ready for some restriction because I am watching VERY CLOSELY what I eat since I don't feel that full sensation yet. Thanks for the information ...... and congrats on the size 18 jeans I know how you fell. I was in a 26 and now can wear a 20!!!!! Boy it feel greats! Best of luck.

very good details awsome on the band tunning. Congrads on the jeans i know how that feels for real

HA! I hadn't heard or thought of that. I loved joining the band.:thumbup: I guess tuning the band is perfect wording! Thanks!

Thanks so much for posting this...great descriptions! Now I'll know what to expect! Good job on the jeans!!!

I go in for my first fill on the 15th of Dec. i cant wait and your info. was great!

We must be about the same date and size. I was banded 10-22, wearing a 22-24 that day. Had my first fill 12-1, and I also can get on size 18s now too! How cool!!! Good luck to you and continue to keep us posted. Nice to know someone in the same area of the journey with me. Thanks, Kelli

with my first fill, my dr. took out this needle that was 8 inches long!!!!!! I nearly died when i saw it. Then he put 1cc in the band and sent me on my way. I lied down the whole time. He said that their was already 4 in there, and i felt no restriction at all, i still don't feel restriction... (sigh)