I tried to search this topic because I'm sure it's a common question.

I have my first fill tommorrow (May 9) and am a bit nervous. I don't know much about fills, and I suppose I should have asked more.... But I've been so busy lately with work, travel, etc.

I don't even know where my port is. How will they find it? Does it hurt? Do they jam the needle into your abdomen, or do they numb you up first? I assume there are no drugs involved and that I can drive myself home? I know they use fluoroscopy, but I don't even know how that works.

Will I feel like I did right after surgery? I mean, I know I won't have the pain of five incisions. But eating-wise, I assume I will need to take it slow and sort of start all over again with liquids, etc. (??)

Thanks for any info you might have!

I had my first fill on 4/11. They used x-ray called fluro to find the port and watch the saline travel down. You can see the whole process on the monitor as they do it. They used something to numb area but upon talking to some other people waiting, not every one gets numbed. I don't know what makes the difference. Did not hurt but the nurse practitioner had problems with aligning the needle up with the little hole in the port so it took a couple of sticks to finally get it. They don't jab it. It's like any other needlestick. Was not uncomfortable. Depending on you, they can do it either standing on sitting up. They will make that determination when you get there. I got a little woozy because my blood sugar level dropped from not eating enough throughout the day. Had to drink some apple juice. I felt fine afterwards; no pain. My fill was 3:45 and I was told to not eat anything after 12:30. You can drive yourself home. They just make you sit for a while to make sure everything is ok and they make you drink something to make sure there are no problems. I was told to do liquids that night and the following morning for breakfast.

Hi,

I had my first fill on April 30th. My surgeon knew right where my port was and found it on his first try. He gave me one shot to numb the area (I didn't feel it at all) and then he did the fill with a second shot. Happily, I had no pain whatsoever. I will tell you that I did get a bruise in the area where I got the shots that lasted an entire week and was sore like a bruise is.

As far as eating, I was told to go on a liquid diet for 24 hours and then mushy food for another 48 hours. I was very hungry the next day and wound up eating soft food which I was able to tolerate with no problems. Two days after the fill I was eating solid foods with no problems as well.

Good luck to you on your first fill - I hope yours goes as smoothly as mine went!

Hilari