how do they do a "fill".

i know the port is under your skin but how do they fill it?  do they stick a needle in your belly? 

It's not too bad, some docs will give you a shot to numb the are a little altho I never had them I figured why get poked twice. Then they feel around for the port and poke a needle into it (just a warning the needel is longer than a shot needle so don't let it scare you! Then he squeezes the syringe and puts some saline in, usually not more thann 1 cc at a time altho some do go more if they haven't primed the band during surgery. Some docs put as much as 3 ccs in at surgery and others don't. Oh and my doc rubbed my stomach down with betadine (red stuff) to make sure the area is clean before using the needle. After that they just put a band aid over the spot in case there is any bleeding, it would only be a tiny spot if you do, it's more to protect your clothes. Then you drink a cup of water to make sure it goes down OK, then off you go back to your day. Most surgeons have you do liquids, then soft foods and gradually back to solid food in a day or two. That said all surgeons are different but this is a pretty normal scenario. It's really not bad and only takes a few minutes.

 My doctor just washes my port area with alchol and then shoots me up.  No numbing or shot.  It doesn't hurt and it takes 2 seconds.  Afterward, I have to drink several couples of water to make sure it goes down ok.  Then I leave.  My diet after is 2 days of liquid and 2 days of pureed.

 Same here
wendy

oh that's not so bad, i was having these thoughts of an open hole in your belly with something like the cap of a beachball keeping it shut lol.  i did google some stuff but there wasn't a lot of info about how they filled it, in detail.  thanks.

The port is under your skin -- I can feel mine -- but, I can't see it.

LIke the others have said, I get on the doctor's table, lift up my shirt and he wipes with alcohol.

He palpates the area and finds the port ---- he sticks one time (ha**** my port on the first try every time -- about 12 fills/unfills over almost 3 years).

He helps me up -- and then has me take a big swallow of cold water.  He wants me to tell him when the water has completely gone down ---

If the water does not pass down easily, he will stick me again and pull out just a small amount.

Very little discomfort --- easy, cheesy!

Here are few examples.  That will give you an idea. 

I think all surgeons have their own twist on doing it.

I have never been numbed ever - even in the very beginning when it was difficult to find my port and that was when they would have me lift my feet and tighten my stomach.  Now I just lay there and palpatate my stomach.  I have been able to feel it for awhile now so it's pretty easy to point to.

Alcohol to clean it and a bandaid afterwards.  Takes a couple minutes.  I have never had one done under fluoro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I32y3aHQbXM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeqBAlpWmHU

On a side note, I find it pretty odd that these 2 patients are having their "first" fill....from their size they look they should be way post op! Just my two cents!  My stomach looks like a road map!

It takes "special skill" to fill the band properly, most skilled surgeons and fill givers nowadays have the patient slightly stand and drink fluid while filling the band, it's called dynamically filling the band to detect the sweet spot. Also they use a special "Huber needle" to access the port.

Also most fills usually takes about 2 minutes, like others mentioned, the protocols are wiping down the area with alcohol and other sterilize substance to sterilize the area, and you will feel a quick needle pressure, which is not really painful...if done right, fills are quickly done ......

For most people, like myself we are really not really aware the port is there unless we press down hard, a few years back surgeons use to use larger ports that were more visible, but nowadays they use smaller ports where they are barely visible after weight loss.

my doc, that has a clue, (a couple others at practice doesn't seem as good), has me lay on the table and do a little sit up after he cleans it and puts betadine on it. The he takes all the saline out and that way he can tell based on previous fills or unfills what is going on with the band. I always use fluro and this past time he put saline more than once, however keeps the needle intact. Once the fluro (chalky white liquid that shows up on tv screen) he can see it going down. He wants it to go down, but not super fast. Then he can record how much was put in (or taken out). He removes need and puts a cotton ball and then a band aid. All done. Tummy has a history of swelling after procedure as it is senstive, so its clear and then mushy liquids for couple days. Then off to trying other foods, slowly the next few days. Not a bad procedure. Never had pain.