I was banded 3/20/10 and feel that I'm ready for my 1st fill since the swelling has just about gone down and my incisions are healed excepted for the port site which is still a little sore. My question is this: Has anyone gotten a fill before their port site was completely healed? If so what was the experience like? I'm a little apprehensive but am anxious to move on to the next phase...:confused:

My port was still sore when I had my first fill. My doctor said it might take some time for the soreness to go away, but it didn't hurt. I was pleasantly surprised, because I absolutely hate needles!

Debbie

Hi

I just had my first fill. My port site has healed well, but is still tender and looks pink. It will take up to 12 months for it to look fully healed.

No problem or pain with the fill, which was great. Had 4ml put in during the op, and 3.5 more now. Was hungry for a week, now can still eat everything without problems, but not hungry between meals any more. I'm thrilled with the whole process so far. My fill was also my first check-up and my doctor was as excited as me with my progress. Called me skinny. Such a good feeling.

My port was still sore when I had my first fill. My doctor said it might take some time for the soreness to go away, but it didn't hurt. I was pleasantly surprised, because I absolutely hate needles!

Debbie

Thanks for your reply!! I'm not real found of needles either but we do what's neccessary huh? lol

Hi

I just had my first fill. My port site has healed well, but is still tender and looks pink. It will take up to 12 months for it to look fully healed.

No problem or pain with the fill, which was great. Had 4ml put in during the op, and 3.5 more now. Was hungry for a week, now can still eat everything without problems, but not hungry between meals any more. I'm thrilled with the whole process so far. My fill was also my first check-up and my doctor was as excited as me with my progress. Called me skinny. Such a good feeling.

Thank you for your reply! Very helpful. No one told me it could be up to 12 mos for this site to heal completely. Did your doc numb you first before the fill? My band is so much smaller than most on this board. Mine is a 4cc capacity band & I have 2cc in it from surgery! The first fill should be interesting.

My doc. had me wait a month before the first fill. You are going a little sooner then that. I guess every doc. is different. Best wishes!

My doc. had me wait a month before the first fill. You are going a little sooner then that. I guess every doc. is different. Best wishes!

I'll be about 5 weeks out from surgery date but I'm still pretty sore. Were you sore at the port site when you had your first fill?

No- my port site wasn't sore- I healed very quickly as far as the incisions. I am excited for you that you are getting your first fill. It took 3 fills for me to get restriction. Best wishes!

I was banded February 23 and just going for my first fill this coming thursday. My port site is sore still but only when I press on it or lay down on that side. Didnt think much about the fill in that area until I saw this post! Anyway I am ready for a fill though. Im ready to move on as well. Lost weight initially but havent lost in a while and even put 2 or 3 lbs back on.

No- my port site wasn't sore- I healed very quickly as far as the incisions. I am excited for you that you are getting your first fill. It took 3 fills for me to get restriction. Best wishes!

My incisions have healed very quickly and I'm super glad of that! I only wear a bandage over my port site as a precaution really because of my job, but my other 3 are completely healed! I am excited to be moving on to the next "phase" if you will. Glad to know all went well with your 1st fill it truely gives me hope. Thanks again for your input and I wish you well!!!

I was banded February 23 and just going for my first fill this coming thursday. My port site is sore still but only when I press on it or lay down on that side. Didnt think much about the fill in that area until I saw this post! Anyway I am ready for a fill though. Im ready to move on as well. Lost weight initially but havent lost in a while and even put 2 or 3 lbs back on.

I'm so glad for you!! Sorry to raise your concern tho! I'm about the same as far as not feeling anything until I press on my site or lay on it but that really got me thinkin. My weightloss is holding steady and I'm ready to turn the corner. Keep me posted on how things go Thursday. Good luck!!!

Hey guys, I'm worried about my port showing through my skin. I wonder if the Realize port shows as much as the lapBand port. I still haven't chosen which band I'm going to get. My doctor said just let him know when I'm ready for surgery, which is on the 18th of April.

Hey guys, I'm worried about my port showing through my skin. I wonder if the Realize port shows as much as the LAP-BAND® port. I still haven't chosen which band I'm going to get. My doctor said just let him know when I'm ready for surgery, which is on the 18th of April.

Good morning! I have the Allergan band and from my understanding it's more about placement. The closer to the surface the more raised it appears. Dont think you'll actually be able to see it through the skin though. Mine is placed at the surface just below my rib cage which is a bit of an odd place simply because when I bend over I can feel it pressing against my ribs. Not painful at all just noticable. My doc said this placement was necessary for easier fills...

Edited April 13, 201016 yr by M.T. in Indy

Thank you for your reply! Very helpful. No one told me it could be up to 12 mos for this site to heal completely. Did your doc numb you first before the fill? My band is so much smaller than most on this board. Mine is a 4cc capacity band & I have 2cc in it from surgery! The first fill should be interesting.

I worded that badly. It is usually healed fully in 6 weeks, but may not look fully healed for 12 months. It can also feel different, because cut nerves can take 12 months to heal. Mine looks quite 'raw' still, but is healed.

No, he didn't numb me at all, and I barely felt the needle go in, just a bit of pressure. It was very quick, and no sensation at all after that bit of pressure. I was surprised when he said he'd finished, and the needle was out. My band is officially a 10ml band, but the doctor said it really holds up to 14 mls. Mine now has 7.5 in it, and I don't feel any restriction, but I'm not hungry between meals any more. I haven't lost any weight for 2 weeks though, so maybe I need a bit more. I'll give it another week, then go and see him again.

Good luck with everything

I worded that badly. It is usually healed fully in 6 weeks, but may not look fully healed for 12 months. It can also feel different, because cut nerves can take 12 months to heal. Mine looks quite 'raw' still, but is healed.

No, he didn't numb me at all, and I barely felt the needle go in, just a bit of pressure. It was very quick, and no sensation at all after that bit of pressure. I was surprised when he said he'd finished, and the needle was out. My band is officially a 10ml band, but the doctor said it really holds up to 14 mls. Mine now has 7.5 in it, and I don't feel any restriction, but I'm not hungry between meals any more. I haven't lost any weight for 2 weeks though, so maybe I need a bit more. I'll give it another week, then go and see him again.

Good luck with everything

Thank you for the clarification! I've been holding steady with no weightloss although I was warned I may not lose any and may in fact gain some before my 1st fill :cool: So it seems we're in the same boat.

Thanks for your input and good luck to you!