Hey Everyone,

I just a moment to share the worse experience I had with my first fill.

I went to see my surgeon but he was unavailable, so I was told I could see the nurse for my first fill. I recoqnized her, she was the same nurse who checked me in on surgery day. A familiar face was nice, considering i was a little bit nervous. She sat me down, weighed me in and explained to me what I would experience, would there be any pain etc.

By the end of the conversation I felt very comfortable. Which was nice. She then asked me if I would like to stand or sit, I said whatever is easiest. She said okay stand up. I did, she put the needle in and to be honest didn't feel much of anything. About a minute of moving the needle around, she said okay I am doing to take it out. I said wow were done, she said no, I am going to have you lay down. I said okay strange but lets try again

Attempt 2: I layed down with my hands over my head while she but the needle in again. This time, she was pushing a lot firmer on my stomach, which is still forming new scar tissue. There was a lot of pressure not to much pain. Then I could hear this scratching sound and realized it was the top of the needle hitting my port because she couldn't find the middle. Now in my head Im thinking "what the hell is going on" She took the needle out again.

Attempt 3: When I decided to have surgery I got to choose which brand of band I wanted I went with the J&J band. After laying there, the nurse felt like it would be important to tell me that she had never filled a J&J band before. Does that sound strange to anyone else? She left the room and got the band that they show to patients and put it beside me so she could see what it actually looked like. My question to her, why would you not have done that in the first place. After another attempt, and a bloody stomach from all the holes she poked, I left very angry and without a fill.

Now I have to wait until Monday to see the surgeon. I was really excited to finally get a fill and start the weight loss. Luckily I am only waiting a couple of days. But i think i am just more disappointment with how the process went.

You poor thing. That sounds horrendous.

That is horrible! I feel so bad for you! Next time wait until your surgeon is readily available to do this if no one can't. Only the surgeons are allowed to do fills in our office, there are 4 so there is at least 1 available if the others are not there.

I had the same experience with a new Dr who came to work in my surgeons office Hit me 6 times before he found it did I have bruises. Luckily my port is directly under a birth mark so now I direct them. This to shall pass, sorry for your experience.

Thanks ladies ill let you know how Monday goes! Can't get any worse.... I hope

Sorry to hear of your problems. At my office only the Nurse Practitioner does the fills. Though NP are more senior than a standard nurse.

I have I only had fills by the surgeon... I am sorry you had a less than wonderful experience.

I too went for my first fill and left without one... Because I had lost weight and he thought I was doing great... Ugh..its because i was eating 1000 a day" It was a lousy feeling to wait another month but I guess it all worked out.

Good luck Monday!

Sorry for your experience. I hope Monday goes off without a hitch.

That actually sounds pretty normal. My first fill took 3 pokes, with 2 nurse practitioners. They explained to me that if u have a real fatty stomach the more they have to push and probe around until they find port. They also told be they almost always have to try more than once your first fill but they documented measurements of where my port was so next time it would only take but one time. My second fill I also had to have 2 pokes 2 nurses. So just prepare yourself for they next couple of times it might be the same. The surgeon does not do fills at my office. Best wishes:)