Hi all, I looked through the other threads and didn't see this. I love me doctor and my lapband but he has a hard time getting the right spot to do the fill. I feel like a pin cushion. He went through 3 needles yesterday. The first one bent and it was painful. The next one was too long and he couldn't get it in the right place. Finally, he got the last one but I honestly think he was about to give up.

The only thing he said to me as far as why this might be so is that I have "tough/dense" scars.

Does anyone else have this issue with fills? What might it be and could I do anything to make it better?

i had a fill today. She stuck me four or five times. I don't know why this is so hard to find.

Hi everyone. The good news is that my second fill on April 22 went easily -- only one stick, he found my port and no pain and no fluro. Thank goodness. I have lost a substantial amount of fat in my belly, and he said he could easily feel it this time, not like the first fill. So, I hope all of you have an easier time on your next fill. Harold, did your second attempt go better than the first? I can't believe she made you come back a different day. I think I would have demanded someone do it while I was there. But then again, I drive over an hour to get my fills. Let me know how it went. Linda

Hi All-

I had a fill or two that went fine and then the Dr. started having trouble. After two unsuccessful sessions where he gave up because he had poked me too many times and didn't want me to get an infection, he had me go under flouroscopy and realized the port had flipped. It took me about two months to get my revision scheduled, but they did it last Thursday. It was much easier than the original banding, but I am still quite tired. The port was completely removed and put on the other side. New scars, but I am excited to get the loss going again.

J

I had the same problem. My 1st fill was on March 6th--It was a nightmare, but the PA got it FINALLY. 2nd fill attempt was this past Friday--May 1st. After trying for about 40 minutes, the PA gave up and told me I will have to get it done with an xray. My work schdule and the hospital schedule doesn't work well together so I have to wait until June 11th before I get my fill. I think my port has flipped. The PA thinks it's just fat. Excuse me, but isn't everyone with a Lapband fat at first?????:thumbup:

During my last fill in Feb (which was my 2nd fill), the doctor mentioned I had scar tissue. He originally thought that was my port but was wrong. He moved that damn needle around fishing for the port. I wish he would have taken it out and resticked me. He eventually found it. He said that he thought my port was tilted - and this was all under fluro.

Yesterday I was in the office for a follow up appointment and mentioned that I'd like another fill. They decided to try filling me in the office. I was more than happy to have them try it there. I told her what the doctor told me last time so she had that info when she tried to fill me. She tried four times and then decided to stop and send me back to fluro. She felt really bad but it didn't bother me much at all. She could feel my scar tissue though.

Hopefully my fill next week at the hospital is easier or they can finally figure out what's up and make better notes for future fills.

I don't have the Realize band, but my doc has had the same problem! He ended up having to do the last 2 fills under xray, which I had to pay $450 for! This past time, he told me that it seems as though my port has detached and I have to have another surgery to fix it. Not what I wanted to hear, but it will be nice to not be a pin cushion every time I go to his office. Good luck to you!

Well I had my port replacement one month ago today and my first fill last Thursday. For the first time I feel like the band is working! I have restriction and I have had my first PB (which was not so much fun, but now I understand what everyone has been talking about-and how this tool can be used.) I have to remember all the good habits that I had after my initial surgery a year ago.

Hope you all are well!