Hi,

I am preparing for a trip to the mountains (approx. 7,000 ft) next week. It just dawned on me that the higher altitude may have an effect on my band? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

I fly for work frequently... Recommend that you take it easy while you are elevated... Protein shakes, liquids, Mishima, etc... My band usually goes backup normal a week after I get home... However when I travel a lot over the course of a month, I seem to have more trouble.

I just went on a trip where the altitude was higher and i did notice i was tighter. i had to make sure i chewed just a little better. I had to revert back to yogurts and shakes a couple of times. it wasnt super bad but there was a difference. Good luck and have fun!

Wow! That's interesting. I didn't know that our bands worked differently in different altitudes. Hmmmm...... thanks for posting the question. I will certainly keep this in mind for when I travel by air in the future.

My Dr.s office warned me that many of their patients experience increased tightness with their bands when they fly or visit higher altitudes.

I told my Dr. I was going to Colorado on vacation he said I would be fine.. I don't have but 2 cc in my band so hopefully I won't have any problems.. going to a dude ranch and want to be able to eat semi normal...

Definitely dependent on your current fill level: a few weeks ago, I was in Quito/Ecuador at well over 9,000 ft and while I had other altitude issues, my hunger was no different than at home (sea level). That was before my first fill (I had 2.5 cc in the band at time of surgery). Last Thursday, got a 1.5cc fill for a total of four cc in a 10cc band. This week, working in Denver and Salt Lake City and wow, this is an epiphany. Full after half a crab cake or half a cup of scrambled eggs and two chunks of pineapple! Hoping it'll still be this way when I get back home tomorrow, but being up here has put me in the green zone :-)

Definitely dependent on your current fill level: a few weeks ago, I was in Quito/Ecuador at well over 9,000 ft and while I had other altitude issues, my hunger was no different than at home (sea level). That was before my first fill (I had 2.5 cc in the band at time of surgery). Last Thursday, got a 1.5cc fill for a total of four cc in a 10cc band. This week, working in Denver and Salt Lake City and wow, this is an epiphany. Full after half a crab cake or half a cup of scrambled eggs and two chunks of pineapple! Hoping it'll still be this way when I get back home tomorrow, but being up here has put me in the green zone :-)

I sure hope you are right, I am going to Loveland, Colorado and some of the rides we will take us about 7500 ft. but I don't want to gain weight while I am gone.. so it's okay with me if I have some restriction.. as long as I can eat something...