I'm getting banded (yea!!) on Tuesday. I've told my doctor that I have a trip on Saturday afterwards. He said he thought I'd be fine as long as I took it easy and wasn't in a lot of pain. So.... my question is this: Have any of you traveled (by air) so soon after, and if so, how did you manage? Is there anything special I need to take? I know the liquid stage is going to be a bit difficult to manage, but I'm hoping I'll be able to get by. I have the powdered Optifast mix already.l

Any adivce?

I traveled by car(16 hours) 4 days after surgery, my dr was fine with it. He just told me to move my legs around while sitting to prevent blood clots. I wasn't in any pain by that time and the trip was just fine. I took my pain meds just in case, but didn't need them.

Many people fly out of state or country for their band surgeries, and have to fly back home afterwards. I don't remember seeing many special needs mentioned, just basics like wearing loose, comfortable clothing.

I got banded 9 days ago and still feel quesy and icky. I just drove my son to my dad's for an overnight (45 mins in car) and felt crappy and exhausted. My pain is almost gone and I religiously do my protein and vitamins, so if it's a trip you must do then do it but if it's social or business related I would reschedule-everyone heals differently and you don't know how you'll do in advance.

Hi---I was done on Tuesday and still feel pretty crummy. Sl nauseous, burpy, weak---I'm on clear liquids until Tues 1/22, hope that helps me feel better. I usually snap back quicker after, so I would say you might not feel able to travel----maybe have a back-up plan?

Carol

I was banded on December 31st and had a business trip scheduled this past week that I backed out of. I still feel crummy, I can go to work and live, but I just didn't feel up to the travelling for business.

I flew early in the morning after surgery. You will be fine that many days out.

I travel for work and had a business trip planned for 5 days after my surgery which lucky for me was cancelled. There is NO WAY I would have felt well enough to travel. I am now 11 days out and just now feeling like I could get on an airplane. The Dr warned me about picking up anything really heavy (suitcase) so that might have been a problem too since I don't tend to travel light (my suitcase is usually pushing the 50 lb mark). I wish you luck. I know some people feel just fine by day 5...I just wasn't one of them.

I was banded in January ... and for the most part -- no problem. I travel for my job and we are also planning a trip in May to Europe. Someone told me that you need to watch how tight your band is .. that the altitude can actually make it seem like your band is tighter. Has anyone ever heard of this?

The person that had told me even said they were going to go back in and have some of the Fluid removed from their band before flying. Odd since everything I've seen more or less indicates that they don't want to ever remove fluid .. except for a pregnancy.

Thoughts?

Thanks for all the input! As it turned out, my surgery was rescheduled to the Thursday, 24th, before the trip on the 27th, and there was NO WAY I could make it. I had to cancel. I felt awful- sick, tired, weak, light-headed! It's been 11 days and I'm just now feeling mostly normal and fairly comfortable. So... in hindsight, I would have to tell someone asking me that same question, not to plan to fly for a while afterwards. I'm sure glad I stayed home!!