So I am just starting the process for the band. I was wondering where are the fill ports at and how painful is it? I am wuss at best with needles.... And what does restriction feel like? How do you know if its too much or not enough?

Thanks for answering all my silly ???s

Lori

With my Doc all you feel is the pinch of the small needle to numb the port site. When he actually uses the bigger needle, to me it feels like you have butterflies at the site. It doesn't hurt. Sometimes sfterwards I am alittle sore but not painful.

I have a great NP that does my fills. He numbs the site which causes a little pinch. He locates the port and inserts the needle. He removed and measures how much saline is in the band...this feels strange but doesn't hurt. He puts the saline back in and adds an additional amount...this is cold to me and feels weird.

I'm always left with a little bruise at the port sight afterwards...about the size of a pencil eraser.

So I am just starting the process for the band. I was wondering where are the fill ports at and how painful is it? I am wuss at best with needles.... And what does restriction feel like? How do you know if its too much or not enough?

Thanks for answering all my silly ???s

Lori

My port is about 3 inches below my breasts and a little to the right of center. I can feel it when I push, which is good, because it is easy for the NP to find it to do my fills. My NP doesn't numb the site, but it still doesn't hurt. DO NOT look at the needle at all when you go for your fill. Look at the ceiling. Getting the fill doesn't hurt me, but it does feel weird. THat is the only way I can explain it. After you fill they will have you drink some Water. If it goes down too slowly, LET THEM KNOW. You don't want to leave with the band too tight. It is much better to get small conservative fills and never be too tight.

Proper restriction will require you to take small bites, chew well and eat slowly. If you don't, you food will probably get stuck and will need to come back up. If you are ever so tight you can't eat meat at all, you are too tight and should get a small unfill.

More answers than you ever expected:

It's time for my first "Fill" - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

My port (and everybody I know who has the lap band) is to the left of center and is inserted at the largest incision (about 2" long). The port is stitched into place and that location will be sore at first and tender for a while after surgery. I cannot feel my port if I press on the area but my nurse practitioners know exactly where it is. The whole process is painless for me, even without a numbing shot. It takes less than a couple of minutes to swab the site, prepare the hypodermic, draw out the fluid in the band and then put it back with a little extra. I can kind of feel the decrease in pressure on my stomach when they take the fluid out and I get a sensation of a little pressure when they put the fluid in.

I too did was worried about the "pain" of the needles for the fill. My doctor numbed the area and I felt that little tiny stick, then I felt nothing. I have only had one fill so far and go for the second in a couple of weeks. I did not know they take the fluid out and put back in, I thought they would only add to what was there. Parrothead, thanks for that info. You are always so good at answering peoples questions. So, our new friend, don't be afraid, it is not that bad!

I suffer from MLS (multipal Lab syndrome) I am mom to to three black labs, or I should say I am owned by three black labs. My labs aren't spoiled I am just well trained!

I think everyone is a little different. Sometimes fills are easy and sometimes they are not. My first fill was quite easy and I didn't feel a thing. The second fill however was a different story. She had a really hard time finding the little hole in the port so I felt a lot of stinging and burning. I'm not terribly squeemish about needles so I was ok. I also do not think my nurse who does my fills numbs the area. I don't think they do that at all where I go. As far as the feeling you get during the fill, I agree with a previous poster who said it feels like butterflies. It's a slightly fluttery pressure like feeling. Not uncomfortable, just weird. Also, my port is slightly to the left of center right between my belly button and my breast.

My doctor's office offers numbing but the way I figure it, I get one stick I'd feel no matter what. And it's not a bad stick at all. I was told they withdraw the fluid in the band to make sure what's there. Apparently, over time, there can be a small amounto f evaporation and they want to keep you at the level you were and then add to that.

Well I certainly had never heard that before, so I appreciate you letting us know about the taking out fluid. Since I have only had one fill I guess I have that to look forward too. Thanks for the info.

Well, you would think by this stage of my life, i would be over the needle wussies, but oh well..

While it doesn't sound like best of things, but definately not the worst either. Thats a relief.

Thank you so much for all your advice...

Lori

Lori, I am totally with you on that! After my surgery for gall bladder I had a terrible infection and my surgeon cut my belly in several places to let the infection drain. He gave me nothing to numb the areas and then thinks I am a wimp! Needless to say, I am now very afraid of pain and messing with that tender belly fat, well, I am just plain old scared. My lap band doc numbs the area and it does not hurt at all. He also knows about my story and why I am afraid. He was upset that doctor would do that to me. Oh well, in the past. Just know you are not the only one who does not like needles. I am afraid of the dark too, but that is another story! Best of luck. Let us all know what you think when you have it done. jac

So I am just starting the process for the band. I was wondering where are the fill ports at and how painful is it? I am wuss at best with needles.... And what does restriction feel like? How do you know if its too much or not enough?

Thanks for answering all my silly ???s

Lori

I don't like needles at all, so when I decided to have the the Band surgery, I really had to think about the needle issue.:wink2:

I have had 6 fills so far and I have never experienced any pain during a fill. My port happens to be about 2 inches from the left side of my belly button. I sleep on my side and lay on my belly and don't have any pain either.

During the fill, my doctor utilizes a small needle with a numbing agent, which she inserts into my belly near the port. She then utilizes another needle, which goes through my belly into the port. She takes out the old fill to make sure I have the same amount of fill and then inserts new fill. Again, I have never had any pain with this procedure.

FYI: I never look at the needles. I am a big baby when it comes to needles, so I never look.