A beginner's guide to fills

Zoe · 10-17-2004, 04:39 PM

Thanks, everyone for your kind words about this post. I figured that since I've received so much help and support from LapBandTalk, the least I could do was write something that might aid someone behind me.

Veronica, you're right about Dr. Horgan. When I first called, I was given the same $1000 quote. I think he made an exception for me because my surgery was performed by his mentor, Dr. Rumbaut (in Monterrey, Mexico).

Queen, I second what Leatha wrote. I was a self-pay for surgery, so I'm a self-pay for fills.

I went out of town almost immediately after I started this thread, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I don't seem too restricted yet, but I'm not inclined to pig out either. And I seem to tolerate bread so far; we'll see what the next days and weeks bring.

athykay · 10-20-2004, 09:29 PM

Thanks for the post Zoe, Monday I have my first fill and I am very nervous but very ready. This helped so much.
Thanks

Marimaru · 10-20-2004, 09:34 PM

Kathy - Try not to worry too much. For whatever reason I was SO nervous when I got my first fill that I felt silly after. It's really not that big of a deal :)

Zoe · 10-21-2004, 11:58 AM

Kathy, you'll do fine with the fill. It's hard not to be nervous with any medical procedure -- but the fill itself takes just a few seconds. Most of my time was spent filling out forms, putting on the gown, and waiting. Good luck, and let us know how everything goes.

blossom · 10-21-2004, 05:36 PM

Zoe, thank you so much!!! I really didn't know what to expect when getting a fill. You explained the process beautifully. I am sure there are many of us who will be thinking back to this thread when we go for our first fill!

New Hope · 10-21-2004, 06:55 PM

Kathy, don't eat 2 hours prior to your fill. But it's o.k. to drink up until then. You'll do fine!

sheeanisland · 10-21-2004, 08:50 PM

Thanks for sharing with us zoe. I just got a fill and they didnt use a machine like that at all. They just felt around found the port then filled me. It cost me 500 for consult with dr. felding. Dr rumbaut recommened him to me. and 100 for the fill. from now on it will be 100. but the nurse did the fill i was surprised. but i have 1.4 and feel great. love my fill!

NancySmiles · 11-03-2004, 09:07 PM

Thanks Zoe!!! For the play-by-play of the fill. It will definitely help me go through my first!

Nancy*

Zoe · 03-05-2005, 03:04 PM

Update: Well, that first fill really didn't give me much restriction. I knew I was in trouble when I could eat a full order of Peanut Sauce Lover with a giant pile of rice at my local Thai restaurant. From what I understand, it's not unusual for bandsters to require two or three fills before real restriction kicks in. My second fill on Jan. 21 did the trick, and now I'm losing weight again. You might have to be patient; it's frustrating, but it pays off in the end.

Joanie · 03-05-2005, 05:08 PM

I had my surgery done by Dr. Horgan, and will get my first fill in two weeks at University of Illinois in Chicago. In the standard patient packet it says fills are $250.00. Maybe they charge more for the clients who are self-pay? My insurance is covering the fills at the UIC office, and the nurse told me all HMO clients must have fills done at UIC and not at Michigan Ave. location.

Your post with pics was VERY helpful..I appreciate it!

Moonshadow_Girl · 03-05-2005, 07:47 PM

Thanks so much for the step by step! I'm scheduled for my first fill in 2 1/2 weeks. This was definitely very helpful for me.

Mercy
Dr. Waldrep
Roseville, CA
432/408/392/200

Zoe · 03-05-2005, 08:55 PM

Hi Joanie -- You're right about the higher fee for self-pay clients of Dr. H. I pay $250 too because of the courtesy discount I receive as a Rumbaut alumna. I go to the Michigan Avenue office. It's very posh; if I'm lucky I can find a parking space at a nearby meter, otherwise it's the steep Bloomingdale's garage rates. You and Mercy are going to be fill sisters, getting "topped off" the same week. Good luck and congrats to you both!

DeniseG · 03-05-2005, 09:13 PM

That was a good idea to do a play by play. My doctor does his a little different. You don't have to change into anything. You just lift up your shirt. My port sounds like it is in a different place than yours. It is in the middle of my stomach (about 5 inches above my belly button). The machine looks different too. You lay on it and then they raise the machine into a vertical position. You have the needle put it as your vertical. Because the port is right under my skin, it really doesn't hurt, they put a numbing solution on it, but, no jelly. He gives you barium to see the insides, and it really isn't that bad just as zoe said. Word of advice, don't drink much of the barium before the fill, if they tighten it a little tight, it will make you extremely nautious(sp) Another thing........it sounds gross, but want to give you a heads up..........your poop the next time will be white and rather hard!!!

Last time I had my fill taken out, they asked me to bring a piece of chicken and they could see how it moved through on the camera. This made a world of difference for me, and I recommend it to anyone who has a hard time getting the fill correct.

03-07-2005, 12:52 PM

hmmmm I am scheduled for my first fill on 3.17.05.
If my insurance covered the surgery do they usually cover
the fills as well?
Thanks
Carey

Zoe · 03-07-2005, 12:54 PM

I don't know; contact your insurer for details. Good luck.