Trouble with food after Flying

Debbie P · May 5, 2008

My question is this: I had my surgery on Dec. 3, 2007. I've had several fills since then, but recently I went on an airplane and out West to Nevada and since flying I can hardly digest anything solid. I was told flying makes the band tighter, and high altitudes don't help either. Has this happened to anyone else? I have all I can do to eat 1 meal per day, unless its something like salad, or liquid. But yet I'm not losing much weight with this. I'm watching calories closely, but unless it's Water weight I'm confused. If this is familiar to you, please let me know.:thumbup:

PennyLane · May 5, 2008

I asked my surgeon specifically about flying because I read that some people are tighter after flying. He said something about the pressure during flight having an effect on the saline in the band. I'd imagine that it's a similar problem with altitude.

Come to think of it, I wonder if barometric pressure has an effect and that's why some days are tighter than others? I think I'll ask my surgeon about that too.

As for me (not banded yet) I think that I may see if it's possible to go in for a slight unfill before any long plane ride (I don't travel by air frequently, but when I do it's usually for an 8+ hour flight) as a preemptive strike against potential problems while traveling.

aubrie · May 5, 2008

There are high pressure bands and low pressure band. I would suspect that high pressure band would be affected. I flew to DC and Nevada myself and I couldn't eat hardly anything in flight or for about 8 hours after landing. It didn't last though. It kind of wore off. when I first heard this, I was skeptical, but after experiencing it firsthand, I beleive there is some truth to it for some people (depending on what type of band you have).

PennyLane · May 5, 2008

There are high pressure bands and low pressure band. I would suspect that high pressure band would be affected. I flew to DC and Nevada myself and I couldn't eat hardly anything in flight or for about 8 hours after landing. It didn't last though. It kind of wore off. when I first heard this, I was skeptical, but after experiencing it firsthand, I beleive there is some truth to it for some people (depending on what type of band you have).

How do you know which are high pressure and which are low pressure? I think I'm getting the Allgern AP (but I forget, I went to so many info sessions at different hospitals it's all kind of a blur now).

aubrie · May 5, 2008

I have what I think is called a VG band? It's 10cc and my doc says it's a low pressure band. He switched to these as he said they have less chance of leaking because the pressure is reduced. I don't know about other bands. But from my sketchy memory of science, It seems to me that a difference in pressure like what happens when you fly and your ears pop, may very well affect the pressure in your band. Your ears pop and sometimes hurt because of unequal pressure in the inner ear. When it pops, the pressure is equalized. that's why so many people chew gum on an airplane. It aids in the equalization of pressure. I have to assume that the pressure inside our body would be different from the outside in an airplane. It makes sense to me.

Edited May 5, 2008 by aubrie

C.N. · May 5, 2008

Yes, flying affected me most definitely.

I was uncomfortable for about 3 days.

Debbie P · May 6, 2008

Aubrie,

Thanks for the info. I don't know what I have either, other than its a 10 cc band. I'm at 2.9 fill right now. All I can say is that for the 5 days in Vegas I had, it wasn't until the last day I could eat any solid foods. I lived on Soup and free drinks!

Thanks

Debbie

BandaCat · May 6, 2008

I get SUPER tight when I fly and it takes a few days to get back to normal and by then I'm flying home and another few days of tightness. I'm going on a trip at the end of the month so I'm curious to see how it goes now that I have a complete unfill.

TulipStar · May 6, 2008

I think that yes, flying can effect the band and the tightness. I fly a couple times a month. On shorter flights (less than 4 hours), I have no problems. However, on flights that are greater than 4 hours (overseas) then I seem to be tighter for days and days afterwards.

Joaquin · May 7, 2008

I am going to Disneyworld next month and I have a layover in Atlanta. I was supposed to get a fill at the end of this month but I have decided to delay it until I return. I am afraid of my band swelling plus I really want to enjoy my vacation, eat a little and not count calories.

tapshoes · May 7, 2008

Flying affecting the band - I hadn't even thought of it. hmmm.

I am flying next week (first time post banding) and although the duration is not bad 3.5 hrs, there will be a significant altitude change from here to my destination. So, perhaps my issues (if I have any) will be compounded - or maybe they will cancel each other out! I guess I will know next week. I hate the thought of my first holiday in about 3 years being less than ideal because of my band!