AugerTA2
First Fill! :-D
Sep 23, 2009
I had my first fill today. I am 4 weeks post-op, and had almost no restriction. I've been eating less than I did pre-op, but that is mostly due to forcing myself to eat slower and portion control, and through that I've noticed that I feel full at about 75-80% of the portion sizes I used to eat.
At the doctor's office:
1. My blood pressure was good. I've always had good to so-so blood pressure, but I got so stressed during the last 2 months before surgery that I had a few BPs that were in the 150/90's range (which if sustains means BP medication time), and that was VERY unusual for me, so I was able to convince the docs that it was either stress or the "doctor's office effect" (where your BP is fine but you test high at the doc's office...it's been proven!).
2. I weighed in, and I am down 4lbs in two weeks. It is slow loss, but for no restriction AND a back injury (meaning I can't always exercise like I'm supposed to due to pain, and at this time I can't do intense exercise), I count -4lbs as a win. I've heard of people gaining during this time, so I was happy just to move the scale downward, little as it may be. The doctor who did my fill was pleased with my loss, though my surgeon told me to walk more and faster (I think he says that to everyone.).
3. The doctor who did my fill (not my surgeon, but another doctor in the office) really listened to my answers when she asked about my eating, feelings of restriction (or not), and her responses made me feel really good about my progress so far.
4. My fill went super fast. I thought I'd feel a big pinch or pain, but the doc didn't even need to numb me or anything like that. I asked if it was going to hurt (she said it wouldn't), and sure enough, it felt lighter than being touched by the edge of a fingernail. It was over and done pretty quick, although I did steal a glance at my belly--it looked so cool! Afterward, I had a few more questions, and asked if my weight loss was on track, etc. I drank the cup of water with no problems, but I had some fluid seeping from the bandaid (the doc said sometimes there is fluid around the port site), so I got two rounds of clean-up-and-bandage. My instructions are to keep walking, have full liquids/runny mushies for 24 hours, then go to softs, then normal food as tolerated, and my next fill is in 6 weeks if needed. I now have 5ccs in my 12cc band.
All in all, it went much smoother than I had anticipated, and I had a small dinner or 4oz refried beans thinned with enchilada sauce & a bit of water...and I felt full! I even stayed "full" for a good 3 hours! I could learn to like this...
:-D
Oh yeah, my mom went with me to the appointment, and she was fascinated with the whole "fill" thing. I think she enjoyed watching the process. After the doctor's, we went to a salon on San Fernando Blvd where mom got a pink&white fill and I had my first pedicure since the eve of my wedding! The salon was super clean and the ladies were all very friendly. I got the "spa" treatment pedicure and had my toenails painted french-tip style. I feel so pretty! :-D
