Hey everyone! So tomorrow I am headed off to Colorado for a week to ski! I've read posts before about flying with the band...are there any complications with flying with lapband like added restriction or anything? I'm sure I'll be fine but just thought I'd ask. Thanks!

If I am at a good restriction when I fly it gets really tight so if you drink anything just sip.

I definitely noticed it a couple of times.

I am a frequent flyer and travel way too much. I flew 10 days after being banded and many flights since and have never noticed 1 iota of anything band related. Have a great trip.

I am traveling soon and my LB nurse warned me that high altitudes sometimes cause the restriction to tighten.

I traveled by plane the day after my surgery to head home and have traveled every week since then. Banded 2/27/13. I have not bad any issues or noticed any changes.

Safe travels!

B.

Obviously it's different for everyone. My husband travels very frequently. In fact, he's in Africa as we speak. He does notice more restriction when traveling, but not excessive constriction that you can't eat or drink. Similar to what alot of bandsters experience w/ their first drink in the morning. I think there are multiple factors that contribute, not just altitude, but our tendency to not consume enough fluids, dry cabin etc leading to dehydration.

Stay hydrated and maybe try some Hot drinks to keep the band loose.

PS Not sure where you are coming from, but if you are coming to CO for the first time or from low elevation be forewarned that the altitude may make you feel a little whoozy. Drink tons of fluids, we dehydrate quicker here and bring sun screen..there are days I feel like I can reach out and touch the sun!

I flew 4 months after surgery no complaints.

I fly for work all the time, can't say I've had any more episodes of feeling extra restricted in the air or on the ground.

Although I must admit its quite satisfying to be able to turn away food or not finish what I'm served, which is a nice change to pre surgery when I always felt extra hungry on planes

Does anyone think the length of the flight would have any impact? I'm moving to Australia from the US in the near future and was concerned about having to get unfilled for the really long flight, but I would rather not since I'm currently in the green zone. How long does the extra restriction last after the flight?

The airplane is pressurized so you should feel no affect on the band while flying. Skiing at high altitude may be different story. Take ti slow and you will be fine. I have never felt tight on any flight including 8 hour ones!