I have just put a free video on my website of the doctor filling my band from a several months ago. The link is on my web page:

http://www.vtmag.com/lapband.aspx

The link is on the page.

Let me know what you think

Thanks,

Wade

*laughs* My doc held that syringe like a dart and acted like he was going to throw it at me from across the room. The look of that thing is so frightening, but like you said in the video, "Is it done?" You can't even feel it!

Thanks for sharing the video, and best of luck with your book sales. Smart guy!

Thanks for posting. I have never had a fill. Was wondering what really went on during the appointment.

Oooooo that needle looks big lol. Sooo glad you looked so calm. I'm getting my first fill next week so at least I know it's fast. Why does the doc push the saline in then let it rise back up in the needle, then push back in etc? They can't just put the saline in and that's that?

Why did I imagine the port being on the side of my waist rather than in the middle?

So glad to see a thread where someone says a fill doesn't hurt...whew what a relief. I'm not even banded and dreading the fill. I'll relax a little about it now. I know Susan wouldn't lie to me

Nope, I wouldn't lie. I swear I didn't even feel a slight pinch.

My doc told me that they do the in and out thing to pull out any air that might be in the tubing or band before they fill it the first time. I've also heard that they pull the current fill out before adding more to see if the full amount is still there.

OK, I'm being very serious here Susan. Does Dr. Cahn have to use his stepstool to give fills? That's a very legitimate question you have to admit. LOL at him throwing a dart from across the room...he probably couldn't reach up high enough. OK, enough with the jokes. Is the guy 5' do you think...he looks like he would fit in your pocket

Thanks for this post Wadeb. Now I know what its going on with a fill.

The video was great! It's interesting to see how each doctor does it. If my doc would pull all my fluid out of my band and then add more I'd be swollen for a month. We found that out the hard way. My fills are also done under floro so after he's in to the port, I drink barium and we watch it flow through on the TV. If it gets stuck then he just takes a little out until it flows through.

Thanks wade...How cool!

Megan

ok sorry, but that looked kinda scarey.....the needle was HUGE and he kept it in for quiet awhile (it seemed to me) I hope it's like you say...it doesn't hurt...that or I hope i never need a fill!

The reason I say it does not hurt is because you do feel the pinch going in, but once the end of the needle is inserted inside the port I do not feel a thing. So it is not like the needle is prodding around in your body the whole time.

The only reason I can think of for the needle being so big is because of the amount of fatty tissue it has to go through on different people. I know every doctor does things differently and I wanted to share the way mine is done.

Wade

OK, I'm being very serious here Susan. Does Dr. Cahn have to use his stepstool to give fills? That's a very legitimate question you have to admit. LOL at him throwing a dart from across the room...he probably couldn't reach up high enough. OK, enough with the jokes. Is the guy 5' do you think...he looks like he would fit in your pocket

He is a short little thing, but no, he didn't have to use a stepstool to give the fill. However, he does have his very own platform that he stands on during surgery! *laughs*

Wow brave man. You didn't even flinch. Hope I am as brave....ha

Thanks for sharing.

I dont understand the process in the video, it actually looked like the doctor was removing fluid from the port! Can someone explain the steps -- also, I didnt realize the port would be in the center either. Thanks for this clip!!

He was removing the Fluid to check how much was in the band before he started. This is one way for he or she to check that your band does not have a leak in it. On the video, I think I interrupted his train of thought and he wanted to make sure he put in the correct amount. I talk about this in my book as well.

Thanks,

Wade