Fluro or not for first fill.

[wavydaby]

Dr Bauman told me that for my first fill since he could palpate my lapband very well, I dont have to have it done under fluro.
So, should I go ahead and do it under fluro just to make sure that all is in place like it should be or take the cheep way out and not do the fluro-fill?
Pros/cons??

[Susan]

My doctor doesn't use flouro on a regular basis. He does it about once every 6-8 months as a means of checking and making sure everything is "ok", but does not feel it is necessary to do every fill under flouro.

[DonnaB]

I'm more comfortable with the fill under fluro. I'm not a happy needle person, so if there's a chance I'll have to be stuck more than once, or that they'll have to 'dig around' to find the port, I'm not okay with that. The other thing about having a fill without fluro is that they can't see the barium moving through the stoma to see how much liquid restriction you're having at the time of the fill. I am very sensitive to fills and get more restriction during the 24 hours following the fill - I need to be able to see how quickly, or slowly the barium is moving to know if I'm going to have a problem with being overfilled.

I think if your doctor is comfortable without fluro, and you're comfortable without fluro, then that's the way to go. If you've got issues or you're a panic-er (like me), go with the fluro.

[Iulizbug]

My doc only does fluro once a year to check on the band or if I am having a problem. I recently had a complete unfill, due to being too tight and my doc had a fluro done to make sure I didn't have a slip. She also recommends having fluro done on the first fill just to ensure the placement of the band after surgery. After that, it usually isn't needed. I was glad to have it the first time though. But whatever your doctor recommends I'm sure is fine..

~Liz~
03/10/06
241/68/160
5'7''

[Natural-1]

I think it's to each his/her own. My doctor doesn't do fill under fluro unless it's necessary. I am a year and half out and have never had it done, my port is always in the same place and very accessible.

It's an individual decision.