I went for my first fill last Wednesday and the nurse gave me some lidocaine because it was my first fill and she said I was still swollen. After she gave me that, she tried to find my port and was hurting me so bad I was crying...and I'm not a baby. She gave me more lidocaine and it helped a little but she said she kept hitting the porcelain that was around the band and "couldn't find" the mesh part to stick the needle through. She finally called in another nurse and she found it right away. She extracted 1.8 cc's and then filled it with 2.8 cc's. Needless to say, I thought the fills were going to be easy but mine was not. I still have pain where my port is so maybe next time after I have more time to heal it will be better. Also, can I ask for more of a fill or do I just get the 1 cc every time? I was told I didn't have to be on liquids or anything...I don't feel any differently than I did before my fill...I guess I need to be more proactive when talking to the nurse but to be honest after the pain started I just went into shock mode and didn't ask...although I had to help the nurse count from 1.8 to 2.8 because she kept looking at the syringe trying to figure out how to determine 2.8 cc's...wonderful.

I had my lap band done 2/1 very excited. Going for my first fill the 3/13

Wow' date=' are you kidding me? First of all, NEVER do a fill without fluro. They can't see what their doing and could puncture the tubing, not to mention they have to feel around blindly and cause you more pain and stress. I don't care what anyone says about the radiation from the machine, it's just an x-ray, you get your boobs smashed and x-rayed every year, you'd get an x-ray if it was a broken leg, or for anything else like that, and if they are not doing your fills under fluro, you need to seriously rethink your doctor. Secondly, why are you getting a fill while you are still swollen? Fills should not be done until you are healed, you'll just be causing more irritation around the band and the port, and pain for yourself. Listen to your body and yourself, not your doctor so much. They don't know everything, and that they are so eager to do fills while you are still swollen and healing also makes me concerned about your doctor's policies. While you are healing, you should only be worried about healing and getting enough nutrition, the weight will come off anyway, but don't worry about losing until you are healed and feeling better.[/quote']

My surgeon does them in his office without fluro. He is attached to a hospital if there is an issue but I was told that he doesn't do them under fluro. He leads a center of excellence and has performed over 7,000 LB surgeries so I keep have confidence that he knows what he is doing. I can't make demands if there isn't a fluro option in his office and I can't just switch. I think you are lucky if you have that option but instilling fear in all of us that we will have major medical issues if we don't have the same benefit as you probably isn't the best thing on here.

That sounds rough; sounds like you got a new person doing your fills. Mine are also done by nurses but I've never had a problem and never had a fluro. As for the amount, maybe you could ask for more next time? I guess their worry is they don't want you to get too tight (and sometimes the restriction comes a few days later, I don't know why!). If your fills are included, then take advantage of that first year; go every 4-6 weeks if you have to! You'll get there!

I have never had fluoro and apparently dont need it. I would just ask for the nurse who did access your port by name and bring her a treat as a thank you (this works amazingly well and much better than complaining). I did this when I was having to get blood drawn routinely and there was only one nurse who could do it in a couple of sticks instead of ten! A tray of caramel apples for the whole staff assured me I would always get her! Nurses are often very underappreciated and a small gesture can get you what you want!

Xavier, very well said and i totally agree with you!