I am exactly a week away from my procedure on Feb 3. I spoke with my doctor regarding travel on a three hour flight 11 days after surgery. Doctor says I will be ok to travel. Has anyone traveled via plane this close after post surgery. Thanks!

Edited January 28, 201511 yr by Peter1965

I have traveled but not that close after surgery. I can tell you, my band get tighter in flight. I used to think it was due to stress, but the altitude changes my band. Drink as much Water as you can and maybe have some Protein prior to the flight as well.

My last flight to NY was 4 hours and it took me that entire flight to drink the small glass of water they gave me. I had not eaten or drank anything prior, so i was not blocked, just tight. This typically effects my entire trip and will normally lose about 5 lbs per business trip. I had 5 trips last year and got under my goal weight.

I know every body is different, just wanted you to be prepared for some restriction, where you might not have had any yet.

Hi I was banded on the 17th January and flew from the UK to back home to Cyprus on the 27th January which is a 5 hour flight. I was banded by Professor Favretti in London and had the SILS (single insision) basically they went through my belly button and I have zero scars, not even on my port - if you google Professor Favretti he played a big part in developing the lapband - basically, he's the guy! So here is exactly what he said.......

I asked him personally on the day of my surgery because I was getting conflicting advice and he said "in terms of the band - in theory you could fly tomorrow, it is the length of time you have to sit and the discomfort that will cause that is the problem" he asked me the date of my flight and he said "that is plenty of time". I think what he was getting at is that flying doesn't cause any structural problems with the band it is the actual incisions that are the issue early after surgery - again I had single incision so maybe that's different than the 5 incision way but I had no problems flying picking up my suitcase etc ten days after surgery. I think I could have flown a week after and I was so roouuuggghhhhh after surgery. Like really ill for two days.

I know this is a long answer but I was anxious about this same issue and so wanted to tell you exactly. Good Luck!

Just keep in mind that everybody is different and if you happen to have restrictions during flight, that might be the reason. Good luck!

I flew 2 days after my surgery! The surgeon told me to wear flight socks.

What are flight socks food for?

U put them on after surgery to stop the blood from clotting! I was told to wear them for 10 days after surgery

Me too. I was told 2 weeks. In regard to my post above, the man was asking about post surgery so that's what my answer was based on.

Thank you all for the advice. My Dr. did recommend the socks. My 1st check up is tomorrow. Feeling pretty good after six days. Still feeling bloated. Can't wait to get a good burp out.