My first fill is scheduled for 3 weeks and simply wondering if they hurt at all. I was told by my dr that I should do a 2 day liquid diet post-fill to ensure no issues.

Not Really !

I'm sure as a kid you were stuck with a needle for a shot ? It's about the same thing.

The needle is inserted into the Fat, and then it goes into a Port. That's it.

Some Docs give a numbing shot with a needle, so you don't feel the needle.

I never did see the point to that. I just tell them find the Port and stick the Port.

Doesn't really hurt. Usually get a numbing shot first (which pinches) but it doesn't hurt just uncomfortable. Kind of cool when you hear the popping sound when they get the needle into the port. Maybe take a tylenol or something stronger before you go. Just try to relax that's the best thing to do.

I never had a fill yet. But I would imagine it's one quick pinch?

Probably nothing like getting an IV cath .(depending on who does it).lol

Or are you asking .. As the band gets fuller, do you fill that ?

My never hurts, just stings a little and believe me I am a wuss when it comes to needles, I pass out, but this is nothing like I thought it would be, easy as pie. Don't worry about it, I worried more about the fills than the surgery and for no reason. lol

My first fill hurt, it stung and burned all the same....My doc gave me a numbing needle that did this and then he put the needle in the port which also stung and burned the whole time (but tolerable)...now my second fill was just a quick little pinch and a piece of cake....Good Luck with yours

No pain at all. In fact, I don't watch then I don't even know if it's been done or not.

Can you feel that you have fluid in the band?

I am a nurse and also the biggest needle-phobe in the world. I hate needles. I will stick you all day, but don't you come near me with that...lol. That said, I just had my first fill and this is how it went.

I was taken to an x-ray room with a fluoroscope that was used to locate my port accurately. I laid down on the table and they put a mark to show where it was located with a pen. The doctor took a syringe of Lidocaine to numb the area (which surprised me but I was thankful). Lidocaine feels like a pinch and a sting but subsides. Then, he took a larger needle that I was thankful he didn't show me and he went right in to through the fat and into the port. It didn't really hurt, but I wanted to grab him by the buttocks all the same because I was nervous (did I mention I hate needles). I started feeling a bit of a gurgling/vibration around where he was putting in saline. That tickled. Then, it was over. No lingering pain, no discomfort. It took all of 5 minutes, maybe. Then, I sat up and was handed a cup of Water. I was ordered to drink it like I would normally to make sure I didn't throw it back up. All went down well and I went home. That was it. So, if I, a big baby who probably needs extensive counseling to get over the needle fear, can do it then you will be great.

Take care,

Jen

My doc puts a gel on my skin that numbs it and then gives me the needle which I don't feel at all. He has me sit up and drink some water with the needle still inserted in case he needs to remove some fluid if I can't get the water down. This is what he has done for my two fills.

What hurts me is when she feels around for the port, the needle is pretty painless but the kneeding of the stomach is very uncomfortable. It only last about 5 secs, but if they are doing fluro it isn't such a big deal.