Went in for my first fill today and the Doctor had a heck of a time finding my port. He said it's very deep, which will be a good thing when I've lost weight but is a very BAD thing right now.

He kept sticking me and digging around in there. No numbing, all me.

Holy Mother of OW!

He also kept graduating to longer and longer needles. I said "if you go much more, the needle will go right through me". The one he finally used was SCARY long.

He DID finally (thank god) hit the port and just to be safe, put in 1.2ccs which he said is .2 more than the max he'd ever do on a first fill. He said "you don't want to come back for a fill anytime soon". I quickly agreed.

So wow, I definitely have restriction. Water gurgles like it did just after surgery. I'm nibbling a soft Protein bar now (he said soft foods and liquid for four days) and the fill is working. Yay! But ow. I'm going to have the HUGEST bruise. He stuck me at least six and maybe seven times.

:whimper:

My port was really deep before my weight loss. But my Dr used the numbing stuff and I only felt a little pinch. I would much rather only feel that little needle then feel him digging around in there for my port. I have had 4 or 5 fills and never experienced any pain. Now my port is pretty obvious so he has no problem finding it. It is tilted now though so we will see how it goes if I need another fill. I think I am at a good place now and might not need another.

I was wondering how your fill went---Why no lidocaine? My doc doesn't use sonogram or fluoroscope (sp?) either, but he damm sure numbs me up?

I specifically request no lidocaine. To me, fills don't really hurt, but the lidocaine shot hurts like a b****. If the lidocaine is at a 10, then the fill itself is a 1 or 2.

Its okay to ask for a numbing agent. My doctor only uses a numbing agent. That is crazy to be stuck so many times without it. Best or luck next time.

I agree with Wheetsin! The Lido shot hurts worse. Without it, it really does not hurt, it just feels a little weird.

Michelle turned me on to EMLA cream right before my first fill. I can't remember where I get it from but Google it and you will find it. It is topical numbing cream and you should lay down, feel for your port, and tape a square gauze bandage on the area with the inside of the gauze covered with EMLA. Do this at least an hour before. Then when the doctor puts the needle in for the fill it BARELY hurts and only for a second. The rest is a total piece of cake!!!

The first time is always scary no matter what. But I think everyone will agree that 99% of us walk out of the first fill going "Is that all there is to it???"

One word: FLUOROSCOPY!!!!

My surgeon's office uses X-ray (flouroscope) to do fills. So the port is visible on the X-ray before the fill is initiated. I've had three fills and only one needle stick per fill. I haven't needed lidocaine though.

Help! I am going for my first fill in January. I feel like I can eat almost anything now...steak (well chewed, bread, pasta, etc.) I do not eat like this normally(except for a couple of cheats) but I am concerned that if I don't feel supressed after eating a bit, I will be fat forever...boo hoo! I am hoping the band will change the way I feel and limit what I can tolerate. Please tell me you felt the same way and it does work. After my fill, I hope that eating or drinking any real quantity will make me uncomfortable so I have to stop.

That's exactly what happens. I can assure you that once you have the right fill, you will experience what we call the "golf ball"- which is the painful feeling you will get in your chest if you eat too much or don't chew well enough- and the dreaded PB- which is like vomiting but not quite as bad. You will learn to limit your portions!!

Also, a good fill will make you feel fuller faster, as will the fact that YOU HAVE TO EAT SLOWLY.

It really does work. I just ordered my first pair of jeans in a SIZE 8!!! It's been years since I have seen single digits!