Just wondering what your fills are like under fluriscopy? I have my first fill next week and just wonder if they have to poke as much?

Mine are done under fluoroscopy and they aren't bad at all.

My doc uses the x-ray to locate the port. He then numbs the area with a little lidocaine. Next, he uses the fill needle to place the Fluid in the band. The process takes maybe five minutes and is not painful at all. Now, I am not sure if your doc will use the numbing medicine but as long as he can see the port with the x-ray, it shouldn't take more than one stick.

My doc has been perfect every time and there have been no issues.

Hope all goes well with your fill.:cool2:

Just wondering what your fills are like under fluriscopy? I have my first fill next week and just wonder if they have to poke as much?

With fluoro, your doc will look on the fluoro screen and then feel with his hand to make sure he has a good idea of where he's about to poke. It should only take the one poke, or two if he uses the numbing shot first (mine does). Then he'll most likely have you take a big gulp of that chalky barium swallow. That's neat because you can see how it goes down on the screen. He'll fill you to a good level, and that's it! Done! They're a snap as long as you don't get woozy. Good luck!

Are you standing up, sitting down or lying down? Is there a choice? I am a fainter and am really worried about this!

I am always standing up when I get my fills. The doctor also makes me take one step over so I'm positioned in front of the fluoroscopy after he inserts the needle. The first time I had a fill, the dr explained how it works. I'm not a fan of needles and didn't like the idea of walking (OK stepping over) with a needle hanging out of my belly. Once I did it, it was no big deal! My doctor doesn't use the numbing cream....he just sticks it in after pressing down to locate the port. I felt queasy the first time and still don't enjoy it but it's tolerable.

Good luck!!!

OH YUK you have to drink that god awful stuff? Man when I did the swallow test before I could go home that stuff was gross. Do all docs make you drink that crap?

Oh, it's not THAT bad. It's not a pina colada, but you'll be ok. If you can handle pepto bismol, you can take the barium. Just be sure when you're done to find a bathroom or look in a hand mirror, because sometimes it leaves its chalky remains all over your lips. How attractive! :biggrin:

I'm thinking my doc must have a larger fluoro machine, because I don't have to take a step over - you can see everything (the port and the band) all at once. But I wouldn't think that's a huge issue if you do have to step over a little.

My doc has me stand up for my fills, and he uses a little shot of lidocaine instead of the cream. Numbing cream takes a long time to work well, whereas the shot is faster. At least that's been my experience when I went for laser hair treatments a couple of years ago - I had to wait 30-45 minutes for the cream to take full effect.

If you feel faint, be sure and tell your doc. You might want to warn him/her beforehand if you're a fainter. Good luck!

My doctor in the States did blind fills and the most he would ever put in at a time was 1 cc. My doctor here in Germany does it this way. They use a table and lower you to lying down when they fill it then stand it (you) up to do the fluroscopy.

It was really cool (well, except for the Doctor, 2 Interns and Radiologist standing around talking about me and my band in German and me not understanding a thing)! I only had 4.5 cc when I finally got to my appointment in April, I had to wait for my insurance to approve another doctor and things just take time, and they filled me up to 8cc. I had to drink the barium 4 times, but they wanted to make sure it was just right. They said at 4.5cc I hardly had any restricition, which I knew and it was really cool to see.

Only thing I didn't like is that at German hosptials they don't give you gowns or sheets to cover up with. The radiologist (and only female in the room) was so nice and tied up my Tshirt for me. They actually laughed at me because I wouldn't lay down without my shirt on, bra off at that point. I am so greatful she tied up my shirt, I can't imagine what the girls would have looked like flopping up and down as they raised and lowered the table!

Just think of it as a really cool experience. You get to see your band and how it works!