I have been banded since oct. 2010 and I have traveled by plane since surgery. But now I have reached my sweet spot (green zone)@ times it is hard for me to get down more than 2 or 3 bites without having the hiccups or feeling uncomfortable. In the past I have heard people say that their band tightened up on them after they flew. I am going to Vegas in a few weeks and I don't want to be miserable. So my question is should I get a slight unfill Before I leave? Can some of you please give me your past experiences. Thanks!

So are you used to being forever "normal"?? Or are you still in awe when you put on those size 8 (?) pants? I have gotten to a size 14 a couple of times, and 12 for a short period of time. Each of those times, I felt like I was in a dream or in a movie, and I even felt sort of like a fraud! Now that I am FINALLY going to be "normal" forever, I was wondering how long it takes to really feel for real!

And yes, you so deserve to do the happy dance!! Super congrats!!

It's a little of both actually. I am mostly in a size 10, but I do have a couple of size 8s, by the way. For me the journey was a fairly easy one. But I love not always being the largest person in the room. I love that I don't feel as though people are judging what I am eating or putting in my grocery cart.

My body image is catching up with reality, although that has been a long road. Now when I look at my "before" pictures, I look so uncomfortable. When I see my current pictures, I see "me."

It's a little of both actually. I am mostly in a size 10, but I do have a couple of size 8s, by the way. For me the journey was a fairly easy one. But I love not always being the largest person in the room. I love that I don't feel as though people are judging what I am eating or putting in my grocery cart.

My body image is catching up with reality, although that has been a long road. Now when I look at my "before" pictures, I look so uncomfortable. When I see my current pictures, I see "me."

Oh you are so right on about being the biggest person in the group!...I'm always given the passenger seat, and all the skinnies go in the back seat (including men!); some people, when describing someone else to me, even say stuff like "She is even bigger than you!"; and of course my "favorite," the looks of people when they realize they will have to sit next to me on the plane! The list goes on, as we all know and have experienced.

You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!

I am with Cindy and CheckYes. Sounds to me like you might be too tight. You should be able to eat more than 2 or 3 bites at a time. Just a thought. If it were me, I'd get a slight unfill before the trip. I'd be terrified something would get horribly stuck while gone and I'd need to go to the ER for the unfill. I would rather have my surgeon's office do it.

I tend to get tighter when I travel, no matter what the mode of transportation. I think it is just the stress of traveling that does it for me. So, I always bring some Protein shakes mixes and easy to eat protein bars with me. Along with some electrolyte mix. That way I can always get some nutrition down. I did throw TSA for a loop with a small canister of electrolyte powder. Apparently is x-rays like a liquid. On the way home I took it out of my carry-on. They were very thankful I did that!

I have gotten food stuck in airports. I just love urping in public toilets....NOT! Especially the auto-flush variety.

Cocoabean,

I am hoping to fly to Vegas this fall and am wondering about taking some Protein Powder with me... Do you know if that will throw TSA into a tizzy? I was thinking of buying the little sample packages of Syntrax nectar.

I've been to the TSA site and can't seem to gather much info from there.

Thanks for any guidance.

I agree with the others that you sound too tight, especially since you can't eat until the afternoon. Get a small unfill and enjoy your trip

I have flown for business 3 times since being banded last december.... havent had any issues....well except the amazing joy of sitting down and hearing the click of the seatbelt and realizing it finally FITS!!!!!!

I dont advocate getting unfilled to go on vacation. Since I put the band in as a tool ... why would I undo the benefits and possibly over induldge and lose a week or 2 of my hard work?

As for your sweet spot.... I am pretty sure I am close to mine but I can eat more than 3 spoonfulls... usually I get in 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/4 cup of starch for lunch and dinner. Are you getting all your calories in?

Or do I need to rethink my sweet spot?