:cursing: Yay! I finally got my first fill today! I am pretty confident that I will finally get some restriction. My doctor was surprisingly aggressive with the fill....3cc in my 4cc band.

My fill was done under the flouroscope. I laid down on my back, and my doctor injected a local anethetic into the port area. I felt a little stinging, but not too bad. Then he inserted a plastic thing to which the saline injection would be inserted (a little uncomfortable, but again, not too bad). Then the table was raised until I was in a standing position. Next I was given the dreaded cup of barium to begin drinking through a straw.

First sip was while the band was completely empty. I was watching it on the screen, and the liquid slid right through. Then my doctor began injecting the saline, as we watched the various levels of restriction on the screen with each swallow of barium. I found this so interesting! My husband was there watching as well. Now I really have a full understanding of how the band works, and the actual size of the filled opening. I also got to watch the liquid go through the various size openings, even watched the liquid stop when the band was completely closed at one point. I finally understand how food can get stuck at the band opening. The opening is very small!

The whole procedure took 15 minutes, with most of the time being taken up by my husband (also a physician) asking questions. My doc wants me to come back to his office in 4 - 6 weeks to check in. If another fill is needed, he said it will be done in much smaller increments next time. In the meantime, I am on liquids for the rest of the day today, and all day tomorrow. Then the day after that soft foods/slow intro of solids. I am going to take it real slow introducing foods agains. Now that I saw how small the opening is, I am motivated to be super careful!

Citigirl:

Yipes! So aggressive of a first fill. I hope all goes well.

Take care, and do be extra careful.

Sue

I had my first fill today as well, 3.5ccs in a 9cc band. I am also on liquids for two days. getting some gurgling when drinking and some burping. definitely feeling tighter!

I've been home a few hours, and so far, so good. I have been sipping water, and even took a few large gulps. The larger gulps felt uncomfortable, so I will be careful of how quickly I sip my liquids. I am experiencing some heartburn, which the doctor said to expect in the next few days. I got all of my evening meds down with no problem, although I did cut two of the larger pills in half. I have not eaten since lunch, and am not experiencing any hunger pains. This feeling reminds me of the fullness I felt in the first 2 weeks post-surgery. I am curious how the next few days will go. I'll keep you all updated.

Wow, that sounds very cool to watch, awesome. Keep us posted.