Hi all, I go for my first fill in 2 weeks. I am just wondering what to expect. Does it hurt at all? How do they know exactly where your port is? Do you have to drink liquids for 24 hours after? Also, what amount of CC's did they put in on your first fill? Thanks everyone:)

First of all, congrats on starting your journey.. I started my journey on May 19, 2009. I had my first fill approx 3 1/2 wks after my surgery... in regards to does it hurt at all?? they are sticking a needle in to you.. for me.. it didn't hurt that bad.. I looked at it as a necessary evil... but everyone is different, their threshold for pain is different.. to me, it didn't hurt anymore then getting blood taken... as for how do they know where your port is?? The surgeon will be able to feel it... at first my surgeon thought he would have to do my fills under fluro because I have so much fat over the port, but when I went for my first post op visit, he was like, there's your port.. I was like WOOHOO!! and he was able to stick me the first time, no problem... as for liquids for 24 hrs after, again, every surgeon is different... I know I do liquids or mushies for the first 24 hrs after because I am usually REALLY restricted the day after my fill... as for how many CC's did they put in for my first fill, they put in 2 CC's... I have a 10 CC band and I am just now at 3.5 CC's... and I have some really good restriction right now... every surgeon is different.. mine is a bit conservative w/the fills, but he also calibrates you when he fills you... so your surgeon may put more, he may put less.. just depends on him and you... good luck w/your first fill!! let us know how it goes...

Hi all, I go for my first fill in 2 weeks. I am just wondering what to expect. Does it hurt at all? How do they know exactly where your port is? Do you have to drink liquids for 24 hours after? Also, what amount of CC's did they put in on your first fill? Thanks everyone:)

It doesn't really hurt BUT most doctors will give you a shot of lidocaine first if you want it. Note here .... you still feel one shot no matter what.

They know where the doc puts the port and they can feel it.

I have a 10cc band. There was .6cc left in the band at surgery after they fully filled it to test it and then drained it. My first fill was 3cc on top of that.

After my first two fills, it was "normal" diet. But now, I am on liquids for 24-48 hours after.

went for my first fill today surgery was on aug. 3 they numbed my belly after finding my port that was kinda painfull but everything else never felt it they took out air it was explained to me to be common 4cc's were put in my band is 10cc's but my next fill is not till nov.

Just got back from having my first fill. The main discomfort was the lidocaine after that all was well. It was done by the nurse/assistant and I was pleased with the experience. She had me drink a glass of water with the needle still in (I had my eyes closed lol)to see if it went down and all was well. I'm home and on liquids till Saturday, then soft for two more days. Hoping to find the "sweetspot".

I just had my first fill today.. no Lidocaine and no pain whatsoever when my doctor put the needle in.. it was a little disconcerting to see him close his eyes as he was feeling the position of my port... I was praying he would open his eyes when he started to insert the needle.. LOL.. and of course he did.

I was pretty worried about how painful a fill would be but it was really no big deal. Liquids and mushy until noon tomorrow and then I can start trying to eat real food again.

I've had several fills and I my doctor doesn't use lidocaine, and it's never been painful. Whether the doctor or the NP does my fill, they've always hit the port on the first try. They find my port by looking at the scar and then going down and pressing gently on the area. If you have a fill under fluoro xray, (my doctor always does the first fill under fluoro so he can make sure everything looks fine), you can see the port and watch the barium go down. It's pretty neat. I don't get a bandage because there's never been any bleeding.

Just like so many other things with the band, the protocol for eating/drinking varies by doctor. I'm not supposed to have any food two hours before a fill (I can drink). I'm supposed to stay on liquids the day of the fill as well as the next day, then go on soft foods for two days.

I have a 9cc Realize Band, and I think my first fill was around 4.5cc, but it's been a year, so I'm not exactly sure.