Half Full

There is nothing like your first fill.  And so it has happened, my first fill.  My appointment with Dr. Ellner was emotional for me.  I was up two pounds and the "fat" (percent, weight, et al) really showed that I am struggling.  I explained my constant battle with feeling full.  It was a great session.  Dr. Ellner explained that at this point, people sometimes need a boost to remind them of how much they should be eating - to feel full.

As Dr. Ellner explained, fills are quite UNeventful.  I was excited but nervous.  The entire "procedure" was about 5 minutes.  A 2.5 inch + syringe (thick scary needle) is filled with the amount of saline needed for the fill.  Dr. Ellner put in 4mL.  Next, she adjusted the chair to lay me flat then felt around for the port.  She had me do two mini-crunches (really just lifting my head and shoulders a bit) to firm up the muscle (which probably felt like marshmallow to her) to give the port a "back wall" so that when she inserted the syringe, the port didn't "squish" into the stomach. She then had me lay flat as she inserted the syringe into the port and filled it with 4mL then adjusted the table/chair so that I was sitting up (with the syringe in my stomach) and she had me drink water to see if I felt anything.  If I felt air bubbles, or uncomfortable, this would be the time to pull out some saline.  I did feel an air bubble so she removed .5mL and after more drinking, I felt fine...and actually a little full.

My 11mL now holds 4.5mL (1mL from surgery and 3.5mL from today's fill).

Two days of just liquids at this point then back to "regular" food.  I'm excited about this next month.  Will I lose weight?  I need to do the work but the band fill will really help things along.  My goal is to be 4-6 pounds lighter by my next appointment with Dr. Ellner.

Thanks also to Dad (Vukotich) for being my cheerleader and for giving me a firm kick in the butt when I need it.  The support of family and friends is so important in this process. I really am lucky to have such a great support system.

More info on Realize Lap-Band Fills: http://www.realize.com/band-fills-adjustments.htm