<p>I just got my surgery done on October 18/07. I go for my first fill on Dec 3/07. I was just woundering what happens,what will i feel like, what can I eat and really whats it's all about. i'm kinda scared to knowing that my band is smaller. hope to hear from someone soon .

Jenn

Size of the band makes no difference at all so don't worry about yours being small. And the first fill usually doesn't do a thing for you as far as restriction goes.....it usually takes 2-3 fills depending on how aggressive your doctor is with them. And it's not unusual for it to take a week or so for a fill to 'kick in' after you do get the restriction point. My fill doctor is a master at giving them and I don't even feel it when he inject the needle into the port, but I know some people say they have have a little pain and/or bruising. Also, my doctor has you do a barium swallow every time after the fill to make sure it's not too tight, but many doctors don't. (That just means you stand in front of an xray machine, drink something, and they watch it go down).

Hi,

I just had my first fill, 20 months post op! I was really nervous, afraid it would hurt, maybe he couldn't find the port since it has been so long. BUT, it went great. I have moved since my surgery and have to see a doctor in this area. He was great, put me right at ease and even without lidocaine I felt no more then a tug and pressure here and there. I am feeling some pretty good restriction now, but I think in a couple of months I will go back and see about having it filled a bit more. Good luck!

Hi and welcome to the site! I did not feel anything when i got my fills, my doctors really good. I got restriction on the second fill , then lost it when i lost about 11 pounds. I just got another fill and have very good restriction. As you lose weight you may also lose restriction and need another fill to lose more. At least that is how it has been for me. It seems everyone is a little different in how the band works for them. Good luck Donna

I really don't feel my fills. Here's how mine go:

I lay on my back. The surgeon (AP now, surgeon quit doing the fills) feels/pushes around to find the port and once he has found it he makes a little markw ith a marker, goes and gets the needle, and plunges in. I feel the tiniest little prick (seriously less than getting blood drawn), and that's it really. You don't feel anything around the actual fill since it's all happening inside the band. Then sometimes when they pull the needle out - seems like they have to really pull, so you might feel this weird *pop* kind of feeling when the needle exits the port. I don't always feel this, and it doesn't hurt by any means - it's just weird. Then they wipe off any blood, clean you up and slap on a band-aid. Give you a little cup of Water to drink to ensure you aren't too tight, and off we go. Takes about 2 mins total.

My surgeon used to numb you with a local before fills. This *hurt* me. It made my first fill uncomfortable enough that I didn't want to go back for a 2nd. So when I did go back, I requested he skip the local. They've been a piece of cake ever since.