I got my second fill yesterday. The first time, I felt nothing as he was filling the band, but it was weird having him blindly poking to find the port. I thought maybe that was to be expected for the first fill.

This time, he poked at least 20 times until he found it, and even though he gave me an injection of lidocaine, IT HURT!! I felt like he was poking the needle through my stomach or intestines or something!! He finally got it, but I was traumatized.

I thought they were supposed to be looking at what they were doing using a fluoroscope or ultrasound or something, not just blindly poking and prodding until the hit the port!! It seems pretty reckless and dangerous if you ask me. Has anyone else experienced this, or what are your thoughts on this subject? I think I want to request that the fill be done in the radiology department of the hospital so that they can see what they are doing.....

I thought the VG band held 10cc is it more? I have the VG band got it in OCT had a 3cc fill Nothing so got 3cc more yesterday doc put 2cc in at time of banding. Do all VG hold 14cc as you say?

HI CRISTY, I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH DIFFERENT RESULTS. MY DR AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT SAID THAT HE DIDN'T WANT ME TO BE A PIN CUSION SO WE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE FOLLOWING DAY AND HE USED AN X RAY AMCHINE, LOCATED THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE PORT, MEASURED IT AND MADE NOTES. I ACTUALLY GO FOR MY 2ND FILL ON THURSDAY, 12-18-07 ALSO WILL BE AT THE HOSPITAL. THE DOWNFALL OF THAT $$$ THAT THE INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER. bUT HECK, WE'VE COME THIS FAR!!! GOOD LUCK AND KEEP ME "POSTED" LOL!! SHEILA

There is a ARNP at my office that does the fills. She did great. I declined the Lidocaine and she had me take and hold a very deep breath and bear down like I was giving birth. She located my port without a problem. She said it was deep, and I had no idea that was even where it was. I thought it was closer to my largest scar. She filled it bit by bit, having me sit up and drink after each amount. I never got to a point were I couldn't drink fast and freely, but she put in 3.25cc and we both seemed comfortable with that for a first fill (14cc AP Large band with 3cc fill at surgery).

:eek:I went in for a fill 6 weeks post op and the Dr wasn't able to find the port (thinks it may be turned slightly). I am scheduled to fill under fluro. Well, I am soooo thankful to God that it worked out like this because my granddaughter had a 48 hours stomach virus. I ended up with the same virus for 2 days now and if I had gotten my fill I am worried how I would handled the vomiting if I would have been filled. Now my 1st fill is 2 days away.

My doc wants my restriction about the size of a pencil eventually. How does people do with fills when they have nausea/vomiting?? :smile:

I just had my first fill today! I'm terrified to eat anything. LOL! I'm on Clear liquids for today and then normal eating tomorrow. I'm going to stick to soft foods for sure until I know how this goes.

He did it under floro, one stick. He first put in 6 cc's (I have a 10 cc band), but it was too tight, so he took out a little, I'm assuming between 1 and 2 cc's. Future fills will be done in the office unless I have problems. I'm hoping this is all I need, since I had decent restriction (meaning I could eat whatever I wanted, just not a lot!) even before and was still losing, although slooooowly. I feel a little weird. I told him to be conservative because I don't want to throw up! I have stents in my heart and vomiting a lot can be bad.

Yay!

Lap dancer- I am jealous!!! I want to get there so bad! I have my fourth fill Monday 1/21/08 and am really,really,hoping this might be it!!!

My doctor put the port up high on my abdomen so it sticks out like a button. I have the APS 10cc band and I have so far had 2 fills...1st fill he put in 3 cc's..2nd fill today 1cc. The first one...absolutely no restriction..this one helps more. I still think I need a couple fills more. I am happy to say that I haven't had any troubles with fills, it just takes him a few seconds. I think all doctors should put the port high up.....:cry

Wendy,

This is where my doctor wants to put my port. He wants to move it from my abdomen where he cannot reach it to the breastbone area at the top of my stomach. You say it sticks out like a button. I don't think I want my port sticking out like that on my body. I am trying to avoid having another surgery by taking off some of this abdominal fat on my own and exercising. Does that port sticking out like a button on your chest bother you? How does that feel with wearing bras? How attractive can that be? I've got enough body image issues. I'm just curious. Thanks.

My naturalpath doc does mine with no fluoroscopy. She's brilliant, gets it right in in two seconds. She used to be a chemo nurse. I don't feel anything. Find someone else to do it!

Suzie

pinktweety - my doctor did my fill today the way you described yours. In the Radiology Dept. Same thing - inserted the needle and tilted the table. I then drank the barium Fluid while the needle was still in. This way takes a little longer, but I like it better because I want my doctor looking at the screen and actually SEE how restricted I am.

On my previous visit I had an unfill and now I'm starting out again with 4cc in a 10cc band.

My surgeon is great, had a fill today, and as always never had fluoroscopy and never needed one. She has hit the mark on the first try everytime.

Hopefully now that I posted this I don't jinx myself.......

The NP said it wouldn't hurt my first time but it did hurt a little more then I thought it would (kind of like getting a shot or two at the Dentists office). She didn't give me any meds before hand, either. She got it on the first time and was fast. It was kind of a strange experience. But even tho it hurt it won't keep me from getting it again!!

With all this poking, isn't there a danger of poking a hole in the tube??

I can't remember if this is my 3rd or 4th fill but I got it on Friday without having to swallow the barium and got.8ccs put in. I feel great. I really have restriction and it's the best yet so I think I've actually found my sweet spot and can't wait to see the scale. It should work out pretty good with me and all my exercising as well.