Hi. Just wondering if anyone is a patient of Dr. Williams at the University of Pennsyvlania and has had a fill. My first fill is this coming Wednesday and I'd like to know the following:

1. What will I be able to eat at when?

2. How long does the procedure take?

3. Does it hurt? (Okay, I'm a wussy girl ... LOL)?

Any help anyone can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I am not a patient of that doctor but here are the answers to your questions.

1. What will I be able to eat at when?

The first 24 hours my doctor has me on liquids then to mushies for 24 then to solids.

2. How long does the procedure take?

A fill takes maybe 5 minutes.

3. Does it hurt? (Okay, I'm a wussy girl ... LOL)?

No. My doctor uses a numbing agent first which stings a little bit. He always gets me on the first prick of the needle so they are very easy.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hi-

I am a member of another group and this was a recent post referring to your question. I have not gotten my LapBand yet but I thought this was a great explanation.

Quoted from UPenn Bandsters Group on Yahoo...

"...I had a LapBand with Dr Williams in May. I have had 2 band fills since. It Does Not Hurt!

You go to the X-ray department and sign in and WAIT. You get taken to the X-ray department and Wait. You take off your bra for the procedure, but that is all. You leave your shirt and other clothes on. You are taken in to the X-ray department. They scan your abdomen (with a flouroscopy X-ray) to locate your port, mark it with a pen then the doctor puts a long thin needle into the port to add the Fluid. After they add the fluid, they stand you up on the X-ray table and have you drink liquid barium and watch to make sure it goes through the band without problems. Then you put your bra on and go home. The procedure itself takes less than 15 minutes.

You are told to do pureed (mushie) food for a couple of days then advance back to your normal diet.

Best of luck! ..."

Hope this helps

Elizabeth