I was just wondering if everyone gets Lidocaine or some kind of numbing agent for their fills?

My place does not do it?

I always get a little lidocaine shot first, and I'm glad to have it! That fill needle is a LOT bigger than the little lidocaine prick, and the way they poke and dig around in there to get into the port straight (mine pops around a bit)- EW. I don't want to feel it! And thankfully I never have :-)

I went for my first fill yesterday, 3 weeks after surgery, and I din't need any numbing. Felt simmilar to a blood test, but not in the arm....

Thanks for all the different answers. I just need to ask, "how does it not hurt". I have had lidocaine and it is a little needle. That big one has got to hurt. I guess it is just my phobia. You would think they would offer it even if there was an extra charge.

I do a little scrunch (sit-up) and my Doc finds my port and does the fill...30 seconds is all it takes. No numbing. That would hurt...the fill is nothing! No pain, just a little pick.

I have had 4 fills with no numbing meds. I only want to get pricked once so I'd rather go without. Fills have never been an issue for me, painless and quick.

I've only had one fill and was numbed. After over 18 pricks (that's the number of itty-bitty scabs could count in the area) with the fill needle and a lot of digging around, I was very glad that I couldn't feel the pain!

Had it been a simple in and out thing, I would have been okay with no numbing agent at all. But it's standard procedure where I go

I don't know yet. I go for my first fill on Wednesday the 5th. I'm nervous.

If it's under the fluro, it looks intimidating, but once you are there, it's no big deal and I could actually watch the Fluid going down, took my mind off the large needle in my abdomen.

It's not even as bad as any of the pricks they gave you in the hospital.

It's really a pain going back on liquids for a few days afterwards! that was the part I really don't like:smile:

You'll be fine.

I guess my thought is, the numbing agent is out there, why not offer it. It would be nice to at least have it offered at my doctor's office.

nope, i asked they said well its another needle, so i was like ok ill just do with out the numbing.. HAHA umm both times i got my fill i got poked 3 times! once cause the fill was stoo much she had to go back in to take some out and with my luck she couldnt get it the second time so took the needle out and right back in.. my 2nd fill the one lady poked me 2 times cause she couldnt find my port at all! she had to get another lady to get it.. soo next time i might opt for the numbing shot instead of feeling the needle 3 diff times.. but im sure not everyone has had this experience.

I do a little scrunch (sit-up) and my Doc finds my port and does the fill...30 seconds is all it takes. No numbing. That would hurt...the fill is nothing! No pain, just a little pick.

My doc does the same thing, it's over quick enough, I don't need to prolong it with another stick.

I got numbed the first time. That nurse did not exactly know where my port was and she poked me a few times so I was glad for the numbing.

My second fill, no numbing but that nurse assisted with my surgery so she went straight to it and it was over. No need for numbing.

So as long as the assisting nurse is the one filling I am cool!

Numbing isn't offered with my surgeon. I got my first fill a week ago. My surgeon is quick, to the point and does the fills himself. I didn't feel the initial needle insertion at all. I felt what you would stretch to call a "pinch" once when he was looking for the port and he called that an "ugly" adjustment since he had to look around a little. If that was "ugly" then I don't think it will be an issue going forward.

It was definitely much worse in my mind before the fill.

I've had 8 or 9 fill's & one unfill (never have been numbed) It's no biggie......just part of life w/ my band!

You guys that aren't numbed are really brave. Where I wanted to go they have the PA do the fills. No being numbed is a real problem for me and they will not do it. It is not big deal for them so why should they care?

My doctor does numb the area. That actually hurts more than the actual fill. Not really hurt, more like stings.

mine doesent numb the only time i wish they had is lastime when i had to get a slight unfill she poked me twice and kinda dug around the 2nd time(had never had this person before)