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I went in to the surgeons office for my first fill today. I am 4 weeks post op and 22 lbs down according to my drs office, but really 36 if I count my highest weight after bingeing heavily the night before my post op diet started. I was 293 and today am down to 257, in 6 weeks. Not actually in the green zone, more like, yellow green, but able to keep my portions in control and make healthy choices. I have been stuck 4 times (all from not chewing properly and food too dry) and PB'd twice. But it wasn't near as unpleasant as I thought it would be. I actually liked knowing that the band was working. Everything has been a pleasant surprise post surgery.

This morning I was supposed to get my fill, but the surgeon could not access my port. He stuck me with lidocaine first (no pinch even with the needle), then I had 2 attempts with the saline. I could feel it but again, not painful. I was anticipating much worse. He could feel the port, but wasn't able to find the access point. I asked for more lidocaine before he gave a third attempt. Still a failure. He looked at me and said "this never happens". I felt like I was back in college with a boy who claimed he never had sexual performance problems, and all I could do was skeptically nod and say "no, really, it's fine. we can try again". Friday we are attempting a fluoro fill in order for him to see how my port is situated. He thinks I might have some scar tissue that is making it difficult to locate the actual port access point.

Scars are healing fine and I am feeling like myself again. I have been walking and keeping track of activity with my fitbit and calories with myfitnessapal.com. I have not been as good with the antacids and Vitamins as I should be, but I am eating really well, so hopefully I am getting enough nutrition for now.

Anyone else have trouble with their port on the first fill? did the fluoro fill help? Anyone else have trouble remembering their Vitamins?

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LMAO at the college boy analogy .sorry I haven't had that problem but that is the right step and glad you are dealing with it early.So many people on here go months with a problem without dealing with it ! Good luck to you ! :-)...( still laughing at college boy SMH )

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I know a couple of other people have had this problem, it is rare but not unheard of, hopefully it will get sorted for you :)

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My surgeon stuck my like I was the prom queen on prom night! I'm sure there are others who have had similar issues. It can't be easy sticking something that you can't even see. I wouldn't wanna try it. Keep your head up! He'll get it done!

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Sorry you went through that- congrats on your weight loss. All my fills have been very uneventful, no problem with access. I hope the fluro helps! Keep up the good work!

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My port sits crooked, kind of sideways. My Dr has gotten it right everytime. Maybe it has flipped all the way over, that happens.

Good luck!

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I have mine done under floro all the time and it makes it much easier for them to access it. I get one stick and it's perfect. From what I understand if they use floro they can be more agressive with fills (add more at a time) than they can without. I am not sure about this, but it what I was told. I had 2 cc's put in last time.

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I have mine done under floro all the time and it makes it much easier for them to access it. I get one stick and it's perfect. From what I understand if they use floro they can be more agressive with fills (add more at a time) than they can without. I am not sure about this' date=' but it what I was told. I had 2 cc's put in last time.[/quote']

The fluoro fill went fine. I just have a decent amount of scar tissue around the port so it was hard to locate the center. I was able to get 4 cc's. At first they did 4.5 but I didn't pass the barium test, so they took out enough until I could just pass it through. He said I shouldn't need a fill for a while. So definitely more aggressive than he would have done without the fluoro. I have been on full liquids and lost another 4 lbs in 2 days. Today I get to eat puree. I'm feeling good about all this :). Thanks for the support!

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I had to have my first fill under an xray i guess my port is kinda side ways... it sucks only bc the hospital is so far away and i need to wait for an approval from my insurance. My dr says it happens more then often especially with the first few fills till you loose some fat on the belly

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
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    • 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.
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    • 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!
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