Received my first fill this afternoon and I have some concerns…

According to Dr. C.’s paperwork, I was to receive 4 ccs. 4cc’s!!! What the heck, doesn’t that seem like quite a bit for a first fill? Also, the TO clinic advised that they did not fill my band with any saline at the time of surgery and Dr. D was able to withdraw a total of 5 cc at the time of the fill. What’s up with the mystery 1 cc? Dr. D added the 4 cc’s as per the paperwork and then asked that I drink some Water before I leave. One sip, two sip and nope…those two sips refused to stay down and I barfed in the most un-ladylike way in the sink. He then said he’d have to de-fill my band by 1 cc-thank god he has good aim and was able to find the port easily or else I may have barfed on him in retaliation.

I have a funny feeling that there has been some miscommunication and the amount given is incorrect.

So here’s how I justified not questioning the amount.

Oh well, if I have more Fluid in the band = faster weight loss. A “money for nothin’ and your chick for free” approach.:Banane43:

Or could this deluded thinking backfire by causing me to lose weight initially and then when it’s time for more fluid to be added…duh…the band will be at its max capacity.

Also, any suggestions on approved chit chat topics while a strange man sticks you with a tiny needle? Hey, I said “A tiny needle” not “HIS tiny needle” Sicko’s!!:heh:

I always use my fall back lines like “Yes, those stretch marks do resemble the outline of the state of Florida” or the old stand-by “Yep, when those rolls squish together it does remind me of the dual images of Mad magazine’s “fold-in” feature. A first glance just your average blobs of fat…squish it together and it’s the depiction of the Queen Mother riding an armadillo while eating a grilled cheese!” Ah…good times.

What do you think peeps??

Where in Nova Scotia are the support meetings Mandi? What's the date?Hmmm,I wonder if I could incorporate my first fill on the same date. Will you plan on going to the meeting?

I'll PM you... I shouldn't be giving TOO much info out in the open. (but the meeting is in March 25)

I have the French MidBand and I was due for my first fill March 20, but I had to rebook for April 24th. I am told that the first fill is around 5 ccs by the fill nurse. Doddie

I have the French MidBand too. Apparently it is a 9cc band. I'm going for my first fill on April 13th and my doc said he would be putting in 2 ccs. I'll let you know how it goes.

Good to hear you are having a smaller first fill. That is what I want. I am having restrictions with the band being empty and I am concerned that a 4 or 5 cc would be too much. Doddie

Doddie...make sure you tell them that when you go for your fill. They "should" ask you questions..you know...about how much restriction your are feeling, how hungry you are (or aren't) etc before deciding how much to put in.....so make sure you make them aware of the slight restriction you already feel!

Hi: I will try. I have great faith in the TLBC that they will ask questions and not arbitrarily put in the normal amount of fill. I am never one who speaks up with a doctor/nurse as I feel they know better than I. Doddie

TLBC is great....but make sure you speak up all the same!!!! (ie. if they don't ask!). They do know better...but only if they have the right info that only YOU can provide them with!

HI: OK, I will tell them for sure. Thanks Yoda you are right of course. Not easy though. Doddie

So Doddie I'm envious, I'm trying hard not to be discouraged, but two weeks after my first fill....nothing, and I can't really say I've ever had any sense of restriction from day one. I am hungry most days and try to white knuckle it through the hunger but this week I'm up another 1.5 lbs.:faint: This morning I had a peace of steak,an egg and cottage cheese for breaky in effort to get lots of protein in so I wouldn't be hungry all day at work and it helped but I feel I shouldnt be able to eat all that at this point, anyhow I'm trying to get away for another fill soon,maybe then my band will kick in because as of now I'm really not certain it even exists!!

Ohhhhh Astroetoes I am soooo with you. I am hungry and feel no restriction. Please tell me this is going to get better! I still have two weeks befor another fill and I am just trying my best not to gain.

Hang in there Astroes and becca 77. You will get restriction soon. It might take 1 or 2 more fills to feel it. Patience. Enjoy your easter meal.

Hi: Restrictions haven't helped me too much. I have lost 3 lbs in a month and although my doctor is happy with that, I wish it was more. He is sending me to a dietition (sp?) for diabetics as he is concerned about my diet. It is amazing what one can tuck away in the form of liquids if one wants to. I having been tracking my intake for 2 weeks now and am doing better. If you are not having restrictions at least you can eat anything. Try tracking if you are not doing so. It might help. Doddie

Hi Doddie,

I had my 2cc fill today under floroscopy. When I drank the barium, my doc said that it sat in my upper pouch for about 10 seconds before starting to drain through. He said this indicated that I had good restriction and would definitely notice a difference. He showed me the xray of what my stomach looked like now with the band. It was really interesting to actually see how small the upper portion is now. I was prepared for a bit of pain when he inserted the needle but it didn't hurt at all! The whole think took about 10 minutes and from now on I'll have my fills in his office vs. the hospital.

I had a cottage cheese pancake for dinner with no problems and I just had some yogurt. Good Luck with your fill. Let me know how it goes.

Hi Elm: thanks for the information. Like the banding, the time for my first fill is dragging. I get all sorts of worries. I have restriction now. If I get more restriction I feel so far away from the clinic. I know my GP will do a defill (he has never done it but he does have the CD) but that knowledge doesn't seem to ease the tension. Oh well, I have come this far, no backng out now. Doddie. Thanks again for the support.