Good Day Everyone!

Had my fist fill on 4/24/06, in Monterrey with Dr.Rumbaut and Liceely(assistant). I have to say I was nervous having seen the size of the needle being used on video clip shown here in this section. Having said that I'll get to it.

Liceely used a local anesthetic inj. after cleaning the area thoroughly. I felt only a tiny prick but nothing to fret over. At this point I focused on the screen where I could easily see my port, stomach, band. For me, this was much easier than looking at what was coming. She asked several question which made this easier as well. Accessing the port was done with no problems. I felt her apply pressure as she connected with my port but never any pain. She explained everything she was doing as she was doing it while I viewed it all on the screen. She showed me what it looked like to have my band in a closed position then open prior to injecting the saline. Then she proceeded to elevate my upper body to a 45 degree angle so that I could injest that wonderful drink. As I took several swallows, she introduced saline into my band for a total of 1.5cc. I could see how the flow of liquid slowed down once this amount was injected. Dr.Rumbaut came in and between the three of us we decided to add a bit more saline after I consumed about 8 ozs of Water with just some slight restriction. Again, I drank more barium while under the fluoro machine and received a total of 1.6cc saline altogether. I had another 8 ozs of water in the waiting room with satisfaction. Prior to leaving back to his office for followup with his dietician, I was asked how I was feeling. I had a potatoe Soup not long after as advised and felt good. I could feel the fullness already or the restriction. Two days later, I am able to tolerate food well but certainly in smaller amounts then prior to my fill. I can definitely say that chewing your food well and no liquids with food is important. My general feeling is that I know I could never swallow with success anything that is not completely almost liquified in my mouth. With the portions I intake now, absolutely will never drink while eating. Not enough room. Sooooo, choose your food intake wisely! IMO.

Well, I think I have covered that experience and a good one at that. Glad to be able to share that with you all and I hope it can benefit someone in the future.

DonnaB, thanks for your continous support.

All those pics in your brain!

I love real live flouroscopy, they can move the plate or table and you can see it LIVE.

Lety,

Sounds like everything went well for you. :bananadoggywow:

I was banded on 12/31/05 and I am finally getting around to getting my 1st refill. Can anyone tell me how long it takes and should I eat anything before I go? My appointment is at 2:30pm.

who was your surgeon? You are just now getting a fill? Have you had restriction all this time?

Indeed, you may want to contact your doc's office to check. It appears that each doc is different and instructions on this matter vary doc to doc. I remember reading a thread like that earlier today called to drink or eat after first fill......something like that. It touched on this subject.

My doctor is Dr. Speigel in Houston. I never really felt like I needed a fill except that I am not losing any more weight. I am getting comfortable eating regular portions except breads. I have lost 35 lbs since January 1,2006. I'm not complaining, just want to lose a lot more. My starting weight was 295 and I am 5ft. 7. Goal is 175 lbs.

Lety, THANKS so much for the info! I may go back to Mx for my first fill, or I have found a doc in College Station to do them, but thanks for describing the process for those of us who haven't been through the process yet. Very valuable information!!! Thanks :eek:

Hi Lety,

I just saw this thread or I would have replied sooner! If anything you've given me more support than the other way around. Either way, it's good to have a band-sister - a little like a sister-in-law, huh? lol (hi Dorothy)

I went for my first fill yesterday at Dr. Jayseelan's office. His RN and I discussed my band and how I was feeling, how much weight loss, etc. and we came to the decision that I don't really need a fill yet. I'm still losing and not obssessing about food so I'll go for a fill in another couple of weeks.

OK, I know I really do need a fill, I'm able to eat way more than I should but I'm just such a chicken. I'm more worried about the fill than I was about surgery. I think it's because I'll be awake for the fill. I guess when I'm in a deep depression in a week or so because I'm not losing (or even worse, actually gaining) that I'll change my mind and have a fill. I gotta stop freaking myself out about this stupid fill. It's just a stupid needle. A really big, long, and (I learned yesterday) DULL one! Oh my God. *sweating*

I got an email from Julie and I'll paste a little bit of it here:

I did get a fill, the first one didn't work at all

($350.00) then I went back to Olympia the next week, it's a 2 hour drive, to get second fill. This time they only charged $150.00!!!!!

And the nurse was "training" it hurt so bad, I sweat bullets. You can bet I will NEVER let her near me again. My side ached for 3 days afterwards.

I desperately needed one, it's been just a week now and I'm losing again.

Yikes! That really makes me want to wait for a fill! lol I know it's because her nurse was new but, dang! Julie doesn't have your email address and has asked for it - I'm sure you probably don't mind if I give it to her but I thought I'd ask you first. I haven't heard from Kirsten in a while, I guess I better email her to find out about her first fill. *sigh*

I know the fill isn't a big deal and I'm just worrying and making it worse than it is. Right? lol

Talk to you soon.