I went for my first fill and when the dr's assistant (she's the one that does the fills for his office) couldn't find my port after poking & digging around in and out about eight times, I couldn't take it any more. I starting getting lightheaded and hot. :laugh: I asked her to stop and she said to relax for a few minutes and she would try again. :thumbup: I decided I couldn't let her try again that day so she prescribed me some zanax and told me to come back later that day or the next day.

I went back the next day and was calmer after taking the zanax and she was able to do the fill (with the nurse holding my hand and my husband beside me for support). Pretty pathetic, huh?

I saw the doctor a few days ago and we discussed the fill and he told me that maybe the lap band wasn't such a good choice for me since I am 'needle phobic'. It would have been nice of him to have told me that before I got the band. I had asked him about it at a pre op meeting and told him that the thought of needles make me sick as they always have a hard time taking blood and I wasn't sure I could do this if they were poking around in my stomach. He just laughed and told me that they don't have to poke around much, it's usually pretty fast.

Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what did you do to get past the fear, etc.? I am losing with the band but am very uncomfortable even thinking about going for another fill. HELP!

Edited September 2, 200818 yr by freedom0702

Like many other's have said the best advice is not to look. Before I got my surgery, they had to take blood, and the nurse couldn't find my vein. I started getting nauscious, because she poked me to many times! She suggested I take a break, and drink water. After that I felt better, and when she tried again she got the vein and I didn't look! When you go next time, if you can lie down, and not look is the best advice! GOOD LUCK! wer'e all in this together!

xoxo, Collegegirl22

So how did your fill go? I hope no horror stories to report and that everything went well.