4th Fill- Met Ruth!

[Guest guest]

Well, I had started a post about going to see Dr. Dobson today but for some reason I forgot to send it. I was asking if anyone else would be there so we could meet up. Well even though I didn't send it, I got to meet Ruth today! She was in the waiting room waiting to see the Doctor. Again, it was Dr. , not Dr. Dobson. Both are great, but I like Dr. because he is the one who did my first fill and we bonded (lol).

Anyway, it was very nice meeting Ruth. She is so SWEET! She just happened to have her digital camera with her and she took a picture of me by myself (Nina, I know you have been wanting one) and then she took one of us together. I can't wait to see them.

So, here was the drama with my fill. (Drama in my head, mind you). I debated over the last month or so whether I needed another fill. I tried to listen to my band and also go by the rules of the band. (I didn't always adhere to them but I tried!). I was starting to feel hungry after 2 hrs so this is why I thought a fill might be in order. I finally decided I need a check up on the band anyway to put aside any fears I may have had that I stretched my pouch or whatever. So I go into the room and ask that I do the swallow test in front of the machine first to check my band. I wanted him to see if I even needed a fill. Dr said I looked pretty good as I was, but that he would give me possibly .4 more. So I say ok, reminded him I didn't want to be too tight and didn't need a fill if he felt it wasn't necessary, and I hop on the table. For whatever reason he didn't move the machine over and proceeded to palpate for my port, find it, and stick me. Oops, missed. Hit the metal edge. He palpates some more, sticks me, oops missed again. Hmm 3rd time I am wondering "Why isn't he using the machine?" so I say "last time I think you said my port was a little tilted and that you would need the machine". He says "Oh I did? Oh ok" and while the lady is getting the machine, he sticks me a 4th time! She asks "Oh, are you trying again?" he says "Yeah, I thought the 4th time would be a charm but I guess not". Mind you, he is not incompetent, just bull headed. He has done all but one of my fills and never missed, always hit it the first time but he also always used the machine. Maybe today he was feeling daring? LOL.

Anyway, they bring the machine over, he gets it on the first try (5th stick now). He puts in the saline, pulls it out and says "Ok, go stand by the x-ray and do another swallow". So I stand over there, swallow, oops nothing is going down. A first for me to see actually. I look at him, he is still looking at the monitor. A trickle of fluid starts to come out the other side. He looks at me and we both say "Take some out" ha! So back on the table again, and again he says "I know what angle it is now, I can get it without the machine" I just rolled my eyes and said "You ought to be thankful I am such a willing guinea pig". That made him laugh. Stick....miss again (6th stick). He says without flinching "give me the machine dangit". Machine comes over, he nails it (or sticks it, 7th time). Pulls about .2 out (originally put in .4). I go to the machine, swallow, very small trickle but I am good. He says I am pretty tight but not too tight and that I probably wont need another fill---ever. WOW! I will have to come up with some other excuse to go see Dr. Aceves. I am sure I can find one (wink wink).

Sorry so long. I am now on clear liquids for 2 days, full liquids for 2 days, then mushies and so on. I can't wait to get to mushies to see how this fill will do me. It is so hard to tell when on liquids but I "think" I can feel slightly more restriction. The gurgle sound takes longer now when I swallow. I feel slight pressure in my esophagus and then can feel the liquid go down. By the way, my band is fine, my pouch is fine, my port although slightly tilted, is fine too. Phew, that was worth the $250!

M

280/180/155 -100lbs gone for good!

Lapband 3/1/05

http://www.tracyslapband.com