I read mostly everyone say it was no big deal, but I was still a little nervous. I didnt worry that he would miss the port, because I can feel it under my skin, but I was afraid it would hurt. I have never had a "shot" in my stomach before. I hardly even felt the pinch so I was worried for nothing!!! It did feel very strange when he was putting the fluid in though like a tightness in my chest, but he said that was normal. I ended up with 5.5cc's in a 12cc band. My doctor said he does the first fill by "feeling resistance" IDK what the means, but hopefully it give me some restriction until I go back in 4 weeks. He also told me that my weightloss was pretty good to date but he would like to see me loosing 5-10 (closer to 10) lbs per month for the first few months. So he gave me a diet that is much like a meal replacement diet that non-banded people use to loose weight. He said that he finds it helps to jumpstart his patients and also helps them with portion control (which I have trouble with) So hopefully the fill and the new diet will get me on track and loosing. I would so love to be able to wear a tank top this summer with out my monster arms hanging out :thumbup:

Glad to hear your experience wasn't bad. I was banded on March 18 and am going for my first fill on May 5. I actually give myself a shot every week for one of my medications, but I am still a little nervous about this as I know the needle is much bigger than the one I use. Its great that your doc gave you a meal plan to follow to bring your weight loss up to 5-10 pounds a month. My doc only wants his patients to lose 2 pounds a week and honestly, I got the impression that he doesn't expect his lap band patients lose as much or do as well as his bypass patients.

the needle looked to me like a 22guage IM needle..........much like the a butterfly needle only a little longer. I assume you are a nurse also by your user name so I thought this discription would be easy for you to relate to :thumbup: didn't hurt a bit so don't be worried at all. 2lbs a week is about 8lbs per month so that would put it in the range of what my doctor is hoping for. Honestly I thought he would be thrilled by my progress, but he was like "um thats alright, but you can do better. Lets get you jumpstarted" I like that attitude though keeps me motivated. Good luck and let us know how it goes for you

Got my first fill today (4-15) - 6 weeks post surgery. I was also very nervous, but even with a bit of prodding around, it only took about 30 seconds. I got 2.5cc in a 10 cc. My doctor said that I should lose around 1-2 pounds/week. If you do the math - that is approx. 60-100 pounds in a year!!! He also said that people usually find their "sweet spot" at around 7cc. Next fill is in 6 weeks. liquids tonigh and tomorrow, mushies for a day, and then soft for another. Excited to see if I got any restriction.

Surgery 3-5-10 350lb

Current 4-15-10 320lb

I am glad its over for you. I agree not bad but I was so scared and didn't know what to expect I dont think I got enough fill. I called the doctors office back and they are still going to make me wait a month to come in for the next one. I am glad it went well for you

my doctor said he isnt stingy with first fills lol he doesnt want people to get discouraged because theya re still hungry 2-3 months into the process. He said he can get most people very close on their first fill and just has to do minor adjustments after that. said on avg most of his patients hit sweet spot in 2-3 fills. I am just doing liquids right now, but I can tell a difference because I dont feel like I could just chug water as I did before. Hopefully when I start back on solids I will notice a major difference.

Jill thanks for the needle description (I am indeed a nurse) and a 22G doesn't sound too bad, considering they stuck an 18G IV in for surgery (ouch!).

dang 18guage!! they wanted to make sure they could get some blood through there if they needed to LOL you'll do fine :thumbup:

I got my first fill yesterday. I closed my eyes immediately because I did not want to see the needle. They sprayed my stomach, and I literally did not feel the needle go in. I could feel it digging around in the port, which is creepy, but my terror was for nothing. He gave me 3.3 cc. I felt a little something right after but haven't felt anything different since. I'm on liquids for a day or two. My belly near my port does ache a little, but I'm extremely sensitive to abdominal pain.