One fill down.

My first fill experience was a little more traumatic than I originally anticipated. John and I arrived for my 3:45 appointment and anticipated a fairly decent wait (the last few times we've had an appointment it took over a half hour to be seen.) but they actually took me back right after I checked in.

First the good news. Since beginning the process, I have lost 15.8lbs!!! I am so excited about those results. I know the weight will come off slower now, but I am off to a great start! The other good news is that my blood pressure was WAY down. Thank goodness, because I was really worried that I would have to go to the doctor soon to have that situation checked out.

Mitch (the Physician's Assistant) then came in and asked lots of questions regarding the past two weeks. He told me that I had probably been eating too much but as long as I knew that there would be actual restriction now, I would be ok. Horray. He also gave me the go-ahead to have sex again. I know you ALL care about that :)

After the review, we went into the fun "fill room". Let me tell you. It was anything BUT fun. I was so anxious that I've now decided that I will need to take a xanax before going again. The room was freezing and totally white. Mitch had me lay down on the cot-thingie and explained what he was going to be doing. First he cleaned the area around my port with some alcohol and proceeded with a spray that basically made me feel like my stomach was on fire. GOOD TIMES! Next, he turned on the x-ray machine and showed me exactly where my port was and then pointed out my band. John was FASCINATED by this. I am so glad one of us was. I just wanted the whole process to be over with. Then the real fun began! Mitch said that on the count of three I'd feel a prick. I waited for the one, two...but all he said was three. I do not like tricks, Mitch. Got it?

The next 10 minutes were insanely uncomfortable. It wasn't necessarily the needle, per say. It was the whole situation. Putting the needle in, filling the band, then having me stand up in front of the x-ray machine so that we could watch the wonders of my body digesting the barium, one barium swallow, adding more saline, another barium swallow, taking a little saline out, more swallow. Seriously, I felt like I was going to vomit. Mostly because I was standing up with a needle coming out of my stomach. And on top of it, John and Mitch (which from this point forward will be dubbed, "Beavis and Butthead" were discussing funny movies, like some Cheech and Chong movie. HELLO PEOPLE, I HAVE A NEEDLE STICKING OUT OF MY STOMACH!!!! They proceeded to laugh while the needle was STILL IN ME. SO annoying. Then on the count of three (where Mitch only said THREE again) the needle was out. We went over what I can and cannot eat for the next few days and that was it!

When I got home last night, I felt really full (Mitch said this would happen) but knew I needed to eat something. I had some delicious chicken broth and wild strawberry jello. I'm feeling a little less full today but the gas sensation I had post surgery is back. I am sure it will subside in a few days but it's SO irritating.

So, that's about it for now. Stay gassy, loyal readers :)