Air Travel?

[lgm217 2]

This is probably a silly question...are there any issues with air travel after being banded?

[vlp1968 83]

I have heard of the possibility of the band tightening. I took a trip to Europe and didn't experience any tightening. Everything stayed down fine, on the plane and off. If your going on a trip, have a great time.

[Cocoabean 430]

Whenever I travel I tend to get tighter, no matter the mode. I think it is just the stress of traveling that does it.

I have, however, gone through the full body scanner with no issue. In case you were wondering

[elcee 3,340]

If you have an empty band apparently it can cause problems. If you have a band with fill in it should be fine. I have flown long haul a number of times ( Australia - Africa) and not had any issues. Just keep hydrated, be careful with what you choose to eat and eat it slowly and chew well. There would be nothing worse than getting stuck on a plane and having to PB in one of those tiny cubicles.

[highland 168]

I'm at the airport as we speak waiting to fly home. No problems at all. Didn't notice any difference.

[AlienBandit 10]

Ive flown a ton and never really had a problem.

The first time I felt a little sore the morning after flying like I did some sit ups the night before but during the flight I was ok eating.

I generally take really long flights so I do sometimes find that through the flight I get tighter but never tight enough that I cant drink.

Also if you are worried about food on the flight, order a special meal instead of the regular one. I find that the low calorie meal is like our soft diet, fruit meal is good for foods that wont get stuck, low carb ones dont include bread etc.

[debmorgan 0]

I guess I'm the only one that has trouble after flying. The doctor explained that I may have air in my band that's expanding in flight. I've taken several trips by air since being banded and have trouble with being way too tight during and after the trip.

It was explained to me that every flight is like having an adjustment (if you have air in the band I guess?) so you could have the subsequent swelling as if you've had a fill.

I'm going overseas again in July and plan on getting a complete unfill before I go. I just hope being empty will alleviate my being so tight and miserable that even saliva makes me feel stuck.

I'm glad no one else seems to have troubles though.

[AllieBB 7]

Thank you all for your posting. I was told by those that are suppose to know at the seminar that I would probably have trouble with tightening when I fly from USA to NZ with the possibility of not even swollowing Water. Our flight is 23 hrs as booked. Also follow up care in NZ is next to none so I saw myself in trouble if I chose to go ahead with the surgery. Your experiences are so varried I am going to reconsider talking with the surgeon. For those of you who have traveled by air long distances how long after surgery did you travel?

[elcee 3,340]

My first long trip was 6 months after my surgery - it was completely problem free.