Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

So, I went in to have my first fill today. I've been apprehensive and even dreamed about it last night. I was trying to stay chill. My doc says, "Let's get started. Don't worry, it isn't going to hurt." Initially he was right. The needle went in and I barely felt it. However, he then informs me that the needle he just used was too small. It couldn't quite reach my port. He starts apologizing and tells me he is going to have to stick me again. I know because he is apologizing that 1) the needle is going to be bigger, and 2) its going to hurt. Nothing could have prepared me for that. It hurt so bad and I am not a complete weiner when it comes to needles! All I could do was take slow, deep breaths and try not to think about what he was doing. It seemed like it took forever to get 3cc's in there. I bled right through the bandaid and it is so sore now...worse than my surgery! After I got through that, I went to do the barium check. The nurse asked if it felt ok or if it felt stuck. I felt fine but then I could hear the barium gurgling in my throat. She said that I might be too tight. Well, let me tell you--after that horrific experience I wasn't about to go back in there for a little unfill. I drank my bottle of Water, told them I was fine (which honestly I was), and went home. I sure hope it isn't like this every time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OMG, I just got banded yesterday, which went great and now I'm scared Sh*&less for my 1st fill. I don't love needles even though I used to get allergy shots in both my arms, I will just have to make sure not to watch...at all!! ughhh

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

LOL Tippy Toes,

Should'nt laugh but we all have our own horror story, Was it your Surgen who preformed the fill? I can relate to the needle thing, stupid as it sounds i have 9 tattoos and hate needles but will endure the pain for the love of art. I can only say I hope whomever did your 1st fill gets more practice under their belt, good news is you only have to go every few months from here one to get fill, i will reccomend you keep a chart for yourself of the fills, mistakes do happen. if I can help with anything please don't hesitate to as

good luck,

Steve

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Were you laying down or standing up for me standing up is easiest. Doesn't he use a topical solution?? The only time mine hurt is when a new Dr. hit me 5 times. Otherwise piece of cake, have bled through the bandage too. But on a pain scale less then a 1.. Hope you are not to full .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok guys!! I promise as you lose weight it gets easier to access!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry to read of your scary experience with your first fill...happily, I have read few first fill horror stories.

I would ask some serious questions directed to the staff at your surgeon's office before you have another one, just to avoid the same stupid mistakes that you experienced today.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jeepers! I have typedthis story before: at my first fill the doc sticks the needle and says to the nurse " wow. Can you believe that? I hit it on the first try!". I told hinge may want to refrain from that sort of comment when the patients are awake. Hope yournext fill is better!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry for your bad experience :( I have had over a dozen fills and a couple unfills and have never had to be stuck more than once. I was horrified at my 1st fill when my surgeon told me he doesn't use a numbing cream 1st, but it didn't hurt, and never has hurt, one bit. I hope your fills get easier with time and this was just a fluke. Good luck to you!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

fills never bother me - i always want them so badly that i know the couple seconds of pain from the needle are well worth the restriction and weight loss. Sorry it went so bad - hopefully next time is a lot easier!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor doesn't do fills at all. The Nurse Practioners do them and they are VERY good. One time I think I needed to be stuck twice. I have bleed through the bandaid. One time I had a bruise because they had to twirl the needle around looking for the opening in the port. My office does not use numbing agent. Personally I don't think it hurts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry for your bad experience <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> I have had over a dozen fills and a couple unfills and have never had to be stuck more than once. I was horrified at my 1st fill when my surgeon told me he doesn't use a numbing cream 1st' date=' but it didn't hurt, and never has hurt, one bit. I hope your fills get easier with time and this was just a fluke. Good luck to you!!![/quote']

To muelle

I see that u have had fills and unfills. I had an unfill because I felt too tight. I'm not losing so thinking about getting another fill. I'm worried it will be too tight again. How do the docs feel about fills and unfills ??

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Irish 1, my doctor does little fills on me because I will have restriction, lose weight, and need another tiny fill to gain restriction again. I've had 2 unfills, and both times were when I had more than .10 ccs put in. My doctor is great and pretty much relies on how I feel as to fill or unfill me, but I know different doctors have different opinions. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe my Dr. Is the odd ball! He always gives me a numbing shot which doesn't hurt at all, and then he fills! He always has me lie on my back on the exam table with a pillow under my lumbar region. I've only had 2 fills, but both were a breez! Maybe try a different position or ask for some numbing stuff.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe my Dr. Is the odd ball! He always gives me a numbing shot which doesn't hurt at all' date=' and then he fills! He always has me lie on my back on the exam table with a pillow under my lumbar region. I've only had 2 fills, but both were a breez! Maybe try a different position or ask for some numbing stuff.[/quote']

I guess mine is odd also. I got a numbing shot first.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awww so sorry you had a bad experience. My first fill with my new surgeon was like that. Got stuck multiple times until he found the port. In all fairness he didn't place it. lol. Since my port replacement (which he did) he has no issues finding it!

It does get easier. I am 85 pounds down... and a lot of it was belly fat. I can feel my port now if I push in the area. I couldn't when I started.

Hang in there!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×