I am getting banded on 01/27/09 and I'm curious about the size of the needle used to fill the band. I'm a needle phobic! It is in no way going to detour my surgery, I would just like to know what I am in for!

Thanks Emily

Emily,

I am not going to lie to you but at the hospital they gave me a needle to bring to my first fill appt and it was so long it would scare anyone!!! I dreaded my fill appt although I knew how badly I needed one and when I got there the needle they used was only half the size of the one they gave me at the hospital. I had my 3rd fill yesterday and it is literally a piece of cake. PLEASE do not fear the fill! Good luck to you

My fills have been a piece of cake. They always get it on the first try, and I feel absolutely no pain, or at most a little twinge. I don't get any numbing, but when I had shots for numbing for a mole removal, they actually did hurt. The only pain I ever have is if they put a bandage over the spot, then ouch, pulling it off later hurts. Mostly, they skip the bandage though, because I haven't had any bleeding from the procedure.

This helps, I can handle it if I know what I'm getting myself into. For some reason I didn't think to ask during my pre-op class. Perhaps, subconsiously, I didn't want to know

Why would the hospital give you a fill needle??? Wouldn't they realize that the doctor's office would have all that covered?

I am getting banded on 01/27/09 and I'm curious about the size of the needle used to fill the band. I'm a needle phobic! It is in no way going to detour my surgery, I would just like to know what I am in for!

Thanks Emily

I have been filled three times, once at surgey, so that really does not count, but twice while I was awake. I never look at needles going into me. Oh I can look at other people getting shots or having blood drawn, but not me.

Anyway, my doctor gives me a numbing agent with a small needle prior to the fill. I have seen this needle, but have not seen it inserted into my stomach.

Then my doctor has me do a sit up or stomach crunch with my head pointed upward, so she can locate the port. When I am in that position, I can not see the needle she uses to insert the Fluid. Nor do I want to see it.

P.S. I never feel any pain when I get my fills.

Good luck with everything!

The needle is a little long but I have no pain, only a little pinch and they don't use numbing agents in the office.

It is not even as bad as a bee sting so you really shouldn't worry too much about it.

Emily,

I am not going to lie to you but at the hospital they gave me a needle to bring to my first fill appt and it was so long it would scare anyone!!! I dreaded my fill appt although I knew how badly I needed one and when I got there the needle they used was only half the size of the one they gave me at the hospital. I had my 3rd fill yesterday and it is literally a piece of cake. PLEASE do not fear the fill! Good luck to you

That is just strange that they would give it to you. If I had to carry the needle around with me, of course I would look at it and get nervous about it, lol. It seems silly to give it to a patient to tote around.

Suggestion: Don't look

Seriously, its going into the port and just a very little ways into you. like someone said - I've had much worse paper cuts for pain.

My doc uses a small needle to numb the area. I just don't watch the giant needle, it doesn't go in very far, and don't feel a thing. By the time you get there after bandster hell, you'll be thrilled to get that needle stuck in.

Why would the hospital give you a fill needle??? Wouldn't they realize that the doctor's office would have all that covered?

Well they didnt give it to me to "tote" it around. My surgeon gave it to me when I was discharged and told me to bring it to my fierst fill appt. It was in a sealed package that came straight from Allergan.

I am getting banded on 01/27/09 and I'm curious about the size of the needle used to fill the band. I'm a needle phobic! It is in no way going to detour my surgery, I would just like to know what I am in for!

Thanks Emily

It wasn't huge but bigger than normal but trust me ,you won't really feel it. :yikes:

Best of luck to you!