Thursday is my first appointment for after care and fill. No one has explained to me whats going to happen at that appointment.

How much fill is he going to put in, and how's it gong to get in there? Do I need to do anything before the appointment?

I'm actually pretty nervous.

Nothing to be nervous about.

How much he puts in depends entirely on what he decides is best for you so we can't even begin to guess.

The Fluid gets in via needle through your port.

Some doctors say nothing to eat or drink a couple hours before a fill, you'll have to ask your doctor if he has any specific instructions.

Good luck!

What Missy said.

Also, every doctor us different in their approach just like every patient is different. Getting a fill is a piece of cake. Keep in mind it may take several fills to get there. Make sure to ask your Dr if there are any special instructions postfill. Many Dr.s will say a liquid diet for a day or two.

The Fluid gets in via needle through your port.

Good luck!

Whoa,whoa, whoa - a NEEDLE? No one said anything about a needle. I've got lots of layers of fat to get though, thats got to be s big a$$ needle. How do they find the needle whole? I'd better pee first. YIKES!

Whoa,whoa, whoa - a NEEDLE? No one said anything about a needle. I've got lots of layers of fat to get though, thats got to be s big a$$ needle. How do they find the needle whole? I'd better pee first. YIKES!

I don't mean this offensively or snotty, I mean it sincerely because I'm really confused.

How in the world could you go through the whole process to get the Lap Band, and the actual surgery, and not know they use a needle to do fills?

I had like NO information before the surgery. Had consultation Friday afternoon. Went straight into health clearance. Started pre op diet Saturday morning. 14 days later eat the surgeon 30 seconds before I went into OR. That was it. I didn't even know my band wouldn't be full after surgery. I assumed I came out, band full, ready to rock and roll.

My little daughter has a feeding tube into her stomach and they use a medical syringe to treat and service it. I guess I just didn't put 2 and 2 together.

I don't like needles, so this really freaked me out.

I had like NO information before the surgery. Had consultation Friday afternoon. Went straight into health clearance. Started pre op diet Saturday morning. 14 days later eat the surgeon 30 seconds before I went into OR. That was it. I didn't even know my band wouldn't be full after surgery. I assumed I came out, band full, ready to rock and roll.

My little daughter has a feeding tube into her stomach and they use a medical syringe to treat and service it. I guess I just didn't put 2 and 2 together.

I don't like needles, so this really freaked me out.

Again, I say this with sincerity and concern,

You really, really need to get a lot more info. A LOT. Your doctor needs to sit down and thoroughly explain the dos and don'ts and exactly what to expect.

If I could slap the stupid out of your doctor I would. I can't believe the huge disservice he's done to you by not educating you. It's horrible and you deserve so much better.

You also need to see a nutritionist, too.

Here is a really good site. Take your time and browse around it, I think it'll help you a lot: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

...and ask lots of questions here. I'll be pulling for you.

The actual fill is a pretty painless procedure. My surgeon has me lay on a table, put my hands under my head and almost do a 1/2 crunch to pop the port up. She then inserts the needle into the port and fills with the desired amount of fluid. The process is very quick so don't be worried about that.

I am told not to eat anything for a few hours prior as they don't want you to have eaten something that doesn't go through the band before the fill and may get stuck after the fill.

I am also supposed to be on a liquid diet for approx 48 hours post fill and then gradually add foods back in. Sometimes fills can irritate the stomach and cause swelling, so it's best to do liquids so you're not trying to learn possible new limitations when it comes to foods at the same time the stomach area is swollen.

Hang in there! You are working yourself up for little reason. Many surgeons will numb your port area before a fill. An experienced surgeon, or fill person, will be able to access your port without too much problem, even thru fat. Many surgeons recommend liquids for a day or two following a fill. Please, see your surgeon's office staff for information pertaining to his instructions! Best wishes, Karen

I had like NO information before the surgery. Had consultation Friday afternoon. Went straight into health clearance. Started pre op diet Saturday morning. 14 days later eat the surgeon 30 seconds before I went into OR. That was it. I didn't even know my band wouldn't be full after surgery. I assumed I came out, band full, ready to rock and roll.

My little daughter has a feeding tube into her stomach and they use a medical syringe to treat and service it. I guess I just didn't put 2 and 2 together.

I don't like needles, so this really freaked me out.

Wow you had no information before the surgery? The band is so popular and all over the internet and I am surprise you didn't have a sit down with an advocate or someone to explain the procedure to you and what to expect. No offense but I would not to into a procedure with out knowing what it all about. The fills are pretty painless but a word of advice read through some of these forums or ask your doctor to hook you up with an advocate. That's is someone who has had the surgery and has been successful with it that can answer any questions that you have. Good luck

Go to youtube.com and search for lapband fills. There are many videos covering this subject.

Since we both go to the same place for fills I will tell you what my first experience was like. First the nurse will give you an insulated lunch bag with a cool measuring cup and a sand timer (which I LOVE). She/he will explain about eating with the band (a packet will be given to you) and explain some of the complications that can occur. They are VERY willing to listen and answer all questions. Then the nurse practitioner comes in and talks to you about your eating habits since being banded. Be able to tell her the amount you are eating (like 1/2 c), what types of food you are eating, and if you are satisfied at least 4 hours after a meal. These questions help determine if you really need a fill or not. Ok, the fill. There was a lot of pressure on my ab muscles while she was locating the port and she had a little trouble finding the "middle" of the port to stab with the needle. It was very uncomfortable, but doable. She took out all the fluid first to make sure my chart had the right amount listed from surgery. The amount listed was 6.5 cc, but it was actually 3.5 cc! I'm so glad she did that. Then she added the 3.5 cc back plus 1 cc for a total of 4.5. With all that being said, your experience will be personal to you. I hope my experience gives you an idea of what it might be like.

Since we both go to the same place for fills I will tell you what my first experience was like. First the nurse will give you an insulated lunch bag with a cool measuring cup and a sand timer (which I LOVE). She/he will explain about eating with the band (a packet will be given to you) and explain some of the complications that can occur. They are VERY willing to listen and answer all questions. Then the nurse practitioner comes in and talks to you about your eating habits since being banded. Be able to tell her the amount you are eating (like 1/2 c)' date=' what types of food you are eating, and if you are satisfied at least 4 hours after a meal. These questions help determine if you really need a fill or not. Ok, the fill. There was a lot of pressure on my ab muscles while she was locating the port and she had a little trouble finding the "middle" of the port to stab with the needle. It was very uncomfortable, but doable. She took out all the Fluid first to make sure my chart had the right amount listed from surgery. The amount listed was 6.5 cc, but it was actually 3.5 cc! I'm so glad she did that. Then she added the 3.5 cc back plus 1 cc for a total of 4.5. With all that being said, your experience will be personal to you. I hope my experience gives you an idea of what it might be like. [/quote']

That helps a lot - except for the word STAB! lol

Again' date=' I say this with sincerity and concern,

You really, really need to get a lot more info. A LOT. Your doctor needs to sit down and thoroughly explain the dos and don'ts and exactly what to expect.

If I could slap the stupid out of your doctor I would. I can't believe the huge disservice he's done to you by not educating you. It's horrible and you deserve so much better.

You also need to see a nutritionist, too.

Here is a really good site. Take your time and browse around it, I think it'll help you a lot: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

...and ask lots of questions here. I'll be pulling for you.

Mis - thanks for that website. It's AWESOME. I learned so much. Don't worry about me asking lots of questions. I hope I don't get others sick of me.

Others that go to the same True Results I go to speak highly off it, so I'm hoping my visit Thursday is great. I'm also looking forward to my first group tomorrow night.