I was banded 10/29/2008 and just returned from my first fill. I was a bit nervous, having read some reports of multiple sticks and watching graphic youtube images.

I'm happy to report that mine was a complete non-event. The doctor pushed around under my scar, located the port, stuck the needle once and he was in. He pulled back on the syringe to take out any residual Fluid from the surgery, which wasn't much. Then he started filling slowly and told me to let him know when I felt pressure in my chest. At first I felt nothing at all and I panicked for a moment wondering "oh, great have I sprung a leak already?". Then suddenly I felt it! Not pain, just a pressure right behind my breastbone. He told me that was 4.2cc. So he backed off .2cc and the pressure went away completely. Now, after my first fill I'm at 4cc in a 10cc band. The entire procedure took less than 3 minutes! I haven't tried to eat yet, but Water goes down well. I will proceed cautiously.

I hope this reassures any of you approaching your first fill soon. Don't let the big needle scare you. It wasn't any more painful than a pinprick!

That is great! when i went in for my first fill last week to my surprise, he only filled me with 1 cc..i was shocked...then after i stood up he said that i already had 4 cc in there!!! So now i have 5 cc...and still no restriction...

Hello, I also just got back from my first fill today and did not feel any pain. I was talking to the nurse the entire time while the doctor worked her magic.

The doctor took out the previous fill to see what was left. She then placed that fill back in and then added 1.5cc.

At surgery they placed 3cc in my band, but somehow I lost .5cc. Anyway, I am now at 4cc in a 10cc band. I feel restriction and I am keeping fluids down. I am on fluids today and tomorrow. Mushies two days after that and then I will try regular diet. I hope all goes well, because the weekend is coming.

I had my first fill today as well. I wasn't really nervous. I knew what to expect.:eek:

Everything went very smoothly. Went in, stood in the x-ray area, was numbed up and then the fill was done. It was neat to watch everything on the x-ray as my doctor was doing the fill. He started with 4cc's but the restriction was too much. The fluids practically stopped when he did 4cc's. Then he went down to 3cc's and the Fluid started to flow very slowly. I have found that I am not able to drink as quickly as I had been able to but that's a good thing. That needle was big but I didn't feel a thing.

I am doing fluids today and half of tomorrow and back to soft foods tomorrow evening.

OMG I have not had my first fill yet and had never seen one until I read this post then went on You Tube. Now I am freaking out. I did not realize how long it takes them to find the port. The one video I watch she was poking around forever. One had a huge thick needle with the hole on the side of it. I guess I should have watched these before. I did not realize how awful it was. :eek:

I am not able to drink as quickly as I had been able to but that's a good thing. That needle was big but I didn't feel a thing.

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I did not look at the needle. I have a policy of not looking at any needles. When I give blood, I never look. When I get an IV, I never look.

I have to drink more slowly as well, but Fluid is going down.

I had my first fill today and it was painless as well. About the only thing that stung even a little bit was the second poke of the numbing medicine. The nurse felt around for the port and wanted to make double sure of the location and was going to send me for a flouroscope *sp*. That ended up not happening....when the doc came in he found it no problem. One stick he was in and I was asked to drink a little water and off I went back to work. PAINLESS....and he said the first one is sometimes the only one that can be tricky. I got 1.5cc so I now have 3.5cc....I wish he would have given more at least until I felt some restriction. From what I understand I have a 15cc band so you can imagine 3.5 in a 15. He said it usually takes 2-3 fills for good restriction, I don't know if he just takes a conservative route or what....but I love the doctor...he is absolutely wonderful.

wannabskinnyb... don't freak out. It all depends on who's doing your fill. There is a definite art to it. Some are much better at it than others.

I'm surprised that some docs numb the area before doing a fill. My doc has me do and hold a leg lift which tightens up the abdomen and he uses a couple of fingers to poke around and find the port. Then it's just a little poke and once he's in the port I can relax the leg lift. Moments later the whole things' done. I've had four fills and have never been poked more than once each fill.

There are some definite horror stories out there, but most are not bad at all.

Brad

Hi all,

Had my first fill yesterday, and to my surprise it was a piece of cake....my surgeons nurse did it..she also felt around located my port a quick pinch and before I knew it she was done. I now have 4cc's in my 11cc band, the funny thing is I seem to have more restriction with things like coffee & oatmeal, but can eat a whole slice of pizza....HHHHmmm :rolleyes2: So for the next few days I guess I'll go on an oatmeal diet! :cursing: