Pain scale for band fill

[jonicorn 10]

Hi everyone,

I am 5 weeks post op for the lapband and I cant seem to find any information on the pain involved in having my band filled. Obviously the port is quite deep under my fat tissue so I assume its a pretty big needle to reach the port, so is it agonising or does it just feel like a regular injection?

[CorinneM 2]

Don't worry about it : it's painless and done in no time.

[jonicorn 10]

Just now, CorinneM said:

Don't worry about it : it's painless and done in no time.

Thank you

Also, I dont have a clue of the location of my port, would the clinic know?

The large cut is almost along the bottom of my left rib cage but I can't feel anything underneath it?

[jonicorn 10]

1 minute ago, CorinneM said:

Don't worry about it : it's painless and done in no time.

Also, our measurements are very similar! Well done on your loss so far.

[Matt Z 4,138]

23 hours ago, jonicorn said:

Hi everyone,

I am 5 weeks post op for the lapband and I cant seem to find any information on the pain involved in having my band filled. Obviously the port is quite deep under my fat tissue so I assume its a pretty big needle to reach the port, so is it agonising or does it just feel like a regular injection?

Pain is so completely subjective that it's pretty impossible for anyone else to tell you want you are going to feel. It's a different needle than would typically be inserted into you, it's got the opening on the side of the needle and not the tip, this is so that the needle doesn't cut a whole in your port. You'll lay down, they might have you flex your abs, they might have you do a bit of a crunch to push the port closer to the skin. They insert the needle then have to move it around a bit to get it into the port, sometimes they have to remove the needle and try again. I've had situations where it took them 4 or 5 sticks to get it right. It's going to feel like getting stuck with a needle... whatever pain you experience when giving blood, it's a little bit of an increase from that sensation, and potentially several of those. Not horrible, but not always super easy.

[Vizslamom 92]

I had no pain whatsoever. Mosquito bites hurt more.

[GastricGirl 11]

I had my first fill yesterday and I felt no pain at all! Slight scratch of the needle going in, I'd say less painful than a blood test because its straight into belly fat!

I was petrified - but really...nothing to worry about!

[jonicorn 10]

Just now, GastricGirl said:

I had my first fill yesterday and I felt no pain at all! Slight scratch of the needle going in, I'd say less painful than a blood test because its straight into belly fat!

I was petrified - but really...nothing to worry about!

Thank you. I went for my first fill on Saturday and feel silly for being nervous about the pain.

I would give the pain a 1/10. It felt exactly like a blood test, other than the wiggling of it. How are you getting on? You had your surgery the day after me we are weight loss twins haha

[GastricGirl 11]

1 minute ago, jonicorn said:

Thank you. I went for my first fill on Saturday and feel silly for being nervous about the pain.

I would give the pain a 1/10. It felt exactly like a blood test, other than the wiggling of it. How are you getting on? You had your surgery the day after me we are weight loss twins haha

Ahh I've been looking for a twinny!! I feel exactly the same really, slightly disappointed at the moment as I had some Breakfast this morning and do not feel at all restricted or different - I only had 2mls put in and dont feel like it was enough so think I might need a bigger fill next time! How are you getting on??

[jonicorn 10]

Just now, GastricGirl said:

Ahh I've been looking for a twinny!! I feel exactly the same really, slightly disappointed at the moment as I had some Breakfast this morning and do not feel at all restricted or different - I only had 2mls put in and dont feel like it was enough so think I might need a bigger fill next time! How are you getting on??

I had 4 ml's put into mine. I have a small band with max 10ml so I thought it was quite a big fill but the restrictions isnt exactly what I was expecting. I know it can take 4-6 fills to get the ideal restriction so hopefully it wont be too long until I am feeling it.

My portion size is definitely reduced though. Were you advised to eat liquid/sloppy for 4 days after fill?

[GastricGirl 11]

2 minutes ago, jonicorn said:

I had 4 ml's put into mine. I have a small band with max 10ml so I thought it was quite a big fill but the restrictions isnt exactly what I was expecting. I know it can take 4-6 fills to get the ideal restriction so hopefully it wont be too long until I am feeling it.

My portion size is definitely reduced though. Were you advised to eat liquid/sloppy for 4 days after fill?

My surgeon said my band was a 10ml max one too - and said the most he would put in is 4ml for a first fill, but only put in 2ml. I suppose everyone is so different it is hard to tell!

I do think since surgery I feel fuller quicker (before fill), but dont really feel much change from the first fill. I was told to have liquids for 24hrs so I have just introduced soft food but its all going down completely normally!

[jonicorn 10]

5 minutes ago, GastricGirl said:

My surgeon said my band was a 10ml max one too - and said the most he would put in is 4ml for a first fill, but only put in 2ml. I suppose everyone is so different it is hard to tell!

I do think since surgery I feel fuller quicker (before fill), but dont really feel much change from the first fill. I was told to have liquids for 24hrs so I have just introduced soft food but its all going down completely normally!

Well, I suppose that makes sense because the restriction only really takes effect when you're on regular chewable food because the band slows it down. The mushier it is, the quicker it will go through the band so I'm sure you'll notice more of a difference when you're back on a regular diet.

Have you introduced exercise back yet?

[GastricGirl 11]

1 minute ago, jonicorn said:

Well, I suppose that makes sense because the restriction only really takes effect when you're on regular chewable food because the band slows it down. The mushier it is, the quicker it will go through the band so I'm sure you'll notice more of a difference when you're back on a regular diet.

Have you introduced exercise back yet?

I hope so!

Exercise-wise I am still worried to do anything too strenuous as I got an infection in one of my surgery wounds last week and it burst open (gross!!), so I am still taking it easy to make sure it all heals nicely.

[jonicorn 10]

2 minutes ago, GastricGirl said:

I hope so!

Exercise-wise I am still worried to do anything too strenuous as I got an infection in one of my surgery wounds last week and it burst open (gross!!), so I am still taking it easy to make sure it all heals nicely.

I have been walking every day since my surgery which I think has made a massive difference with my weight loss. I really want to get into swimming but I'm scared lol. I go on holiday in almost 2 weeks time so will get lots of swimming in then.

[GastricGirl 11]

Just now, jonicorn said:

I have been walking every day since my surgery which I think has made a massive difference with my weight loss. I really want to get into swimming but I'm scared lol. I go on holiday in almost 2 weeks time so will get lots of swimming in then.

Ahh I love swimming - It's such an easy exercise but so good for you! I used to go lots years ago, but since gaining weight I'm so self conscious in a swimming costume I talk myself out of going