Okay, I never thought of this before, but now that I can tell where my port is, (it kinda hurts randomly) I am envisioning a needle going in there and wondering a couple things.

1. Does it HURT????

2. How does your doctor know exactly where to place the needle?? Is it like getting blood drawn and he might miss, sticking you over and over til he finds the right spot?

I tend to get faint if I get stuck with needles when it hurts! Yikes. Thanks to anyone that can give me some idea what to expect.

Disclaimer: I approve this question and if you don't like it because it's been asked before, don't reply. Thank you.

Definitely check on whether you should eat or not before your fill. Every dr. is different. Mine insists you eat something "chunky" before a fill and liquids for 24 hrs after the fill...then back to my chunkies. Hang in there~ YOU've already been through the worst part.

Fills will be a cinch

I love your disclaimer!

I don't want to scare you but...

My first fill was kinda rough. The use freeze spray to numb the skin. You will be standing in front of a fluorscope, a type of xray, when they do this. They will then insert the needle with the use of the scope so they can see what they are doing. They actually had me hold the needle while the Dr. moved the scope up. Next they have you drink this berium/liquid chalk. They will then begin the fill. This is where I had problems. They filled my band to full, 14cc's There is a nerve which runs from the bottom of the stomach up to your brain. It is called the vasovagal(spelling?) nerve. When this nerve is pinched off it caused me to almost pass out. I felt light headed and then I started to sweat, then I got clod, then hot. They brought me a chair and I sat down. It felt like hours before I felt Ok again but it was only 5 minutes or so. My poor wife was scared to death. They said this happen somewhat regularly. I wish they had warned us of this. I felt 100% bettrer in 10 minutes.

My 2nd and 3rd fills were cake! sugar free cake! No trouble at all. The freeze spray is the most uncomfortable part of the fill and all it does is sting a bit.

I posted an account of my story on here. Most people said my Dr's proceedure is NOT normal. Most do not fill the band to 100% and then remove the saline.

I would do it all again and again. I have lost 50 pounds since 8/30/10 and lost 5 inches from my waist. Hang in there it will be OK.