question

[lainer]

Well, I had my first fill yesterday. Wasn't really expecting it since I am only 3 1/2 weeks post op; but so far no problems. My partner, on the other hand, had nothing but difficulty. Doctor couldn't find the port and after several attempts sent her for an x-ray. The port was fine, hadn't flipped, but the doctor said it was very deep and ever so slightly tipped. He said he did not want to keep poking her, but wanted her to go to the hospital and he would do the first fill using the fluoroscope. So we're just waiting for her to get an appointment. He thinks that after the first fill, he will be fine. Anyone ever heard of this?

[Kathy]

Yup, flouro works beautifully for difficult ports. No biggie. Be careful, restriction will surprise you! Chew to goo. :)

[paula]

I think you two are a perfect example of lap-banders... easy for one, difficult for another!
This is a very commen situation.
Everything is easier under Fluro! And many surgeons only allow fills under fluro, just for safety reasons (on the other side, many bandsters only want fills under fluro as well!). This is a good thing! Nothing to be worried about.. we promise! :)

[barbara465]

I've had all my fills under fluro. When they can't find the port by feeling, they use a camera to locate it. Fluro is used usually to check that the barium is going down and that they didn't over fill you. However, mine always shows the barium flowing through freely and then 6-15 days later, whammy. Fills can sneak up on you so be careful.

[HeatherGurl]

Sounds completely normal. I am glad that my Dr. does fills under flouro only. That is the only way for me. I like to see the barium going thru and I like to see that all is well. It is the Dr.'s preference I guess.
Don't worry about your partner though, as they lose weight the port will most definitely be easier to access.

[Diva]

My surgeon says it really makes a difference where your port is located. (but he also says there are always exceptions no matter where it is located, not exceptions in a bad way just in a different way).

That is why my group puts the port between your breasts (chest) down about 2 inches . (I had drawn a line to show my bra area so the port or scar doesn't interfere or irritate me) That area usually has less fat, less move ability and is easier to hit the bullseye.

I've had 3 fills and it took less then a minute because he could feel it so easily. They routinely do a flouro once a year unless necessary. I'm going to write something that may prove unpopular but...

When I first went for my fill I was really worried and somewhat nervous. More than I needed to be. Mostly because I had read (a lot) on the boards about the necessity of flouro, make sure your doc does flouro, insist on flouro. Now this is based on the individual's experience and they want the best fill experience to happen to others. But it is not medically the case that flouro is necessary for each fill. It is not necessary for about 85% of my surgeon's groups patients. They keep stats (one of which is 0% erosion which prompted me to choose them) and the banders do "talk" amongst ourselves. We even have a message board.

Now, there are some "fillers" that just don't seem to have the knack for doing a fill. I have a choice of my own surgeon on his specific day or going to Fill Day where the surgeons, physicians assistant and available fellow presently working with them will take turns doing everyone's fill for the day they're on.

I know that some just don't have "it", even if the port was on the patient's forehead they still couldn't hit it! Once there lack of fill talent is established, they don't do them very often if at all. I make sure to go to my own surgeon since he's proven to be able to hit mine easily.

Also, the first fill doesn't always give a lot of restriction, it took 3 tries for me to feel the same restriction I felt after surgery from the swelling.

The thing about the band is that it is really fickle. I used to read that pre-band and think that's silly, how fickle could it be?
But fickle it is. I definitely bottom to the band.