KNR, Esq.

Hi, based on the mixed reviews I thought I’d respond. I got my lap band at NYU by Dr. George Fielding who is a veteran in the field and has the band himself, obviously I have world renowned physicians assisting me. So I’ve had really terrible experiences with changes in altitude, and they last longer than 48 hours, which caused concern each time because these forums tend to say it only lasts 24 to 48 hours. The first time I was 100% sure something was wrong with the band was after when I hiked over 1500 feet up a mountain. Three days later I was in the emergency room and they did all the tests and the lap band was fine and in the same place. I had to have it loosened but that was the first experience that it was so terrible by the third day I could not even drink water without throwing up. The next time was when I came from a flight to Mexico, that was pretty bad but only for about 24 hours, I already knew this might happen so I stayed on liquids. This most recent time I spent four days in the Adirondack mountains, I am now on day four of absolute torture. I was able to eat an avocado at night a day ago, only after drinking some alcohol, however otherwise, I have thrown up absolutely everything including coffee with milk, I can’t even eat soup and I am completely exhausted. Since I’ve been to NYU three times in the past two years after changes in altitude I’m not going to go again because this is the longest time I spent up in the mountains so I’m assuming that’s why it lasts so long — but just beware that different people have different experiences and you have to take a break and really relax and let everything get back to normal if you’re having side effects like me after drastic changes in altitude.