Hi all! I just had my fourth fill, now I'm at 2.4cc's in a band that holds 4cc's. I finally feel like the band is working, I cannot eat more than a few bites of pizza, when two weeks ago I could eat two slices.

I'm going to Scotland to visit my husband's family this week and my doctor said to me after my fill, to make sure my band isn't giving me too much restriction before my trip because if it is, I should have some fill removed before my flight. Evidently, your band tightens when you fly. Has anyone heard or experienced this? I'm a little unsure about wanting anything taken out, I finally feel real restriction. On the other hand, I don't want to be stuck not being able to eat or drink because the band is too tight.

Can anyone give me some advice, I would surely appreciate it.

Thanks, Patty Ann

My experiencine with flying since my band is YES my band tightens after I fly, I seem to retain water after I fly which leads me to believe why my band gets tighter, also I find different climates from traveling affect the tightness of my band. Personally, I would not get a fill right before a major vacation. I would hate to be too tight and not have a doctor who is experienced with the band near by in the event I could not eat or drink...besides vacations are meant to eat and drink a little more the you do at home I like to enjoy myself with that aspect of vacation ( food & drink)..Just my opinion and my experience.

Hi Patty Ann,

My doctor told me the same thing. He said that it was always better to have a bit removed before a trip, so you don't get stuck somewhere with an overfill and be miserable the entire time.

I haven't flown with mine yet though, so unfortunately, I can't confirm it :/

Have a fantastic trip though

Yep. I've noticed mine tightening during/after flight also.

Sounds like good advice here. Better to be safe than sorry. I got filled right before a 2 week vacation & was miserable. I didn't know the liquids after PB rule so that might have made it better, but it sounds like the voices of experience speak here.

Scotland sounds so exciting. Have a great time.

How long does the tightness last after flying?

When my husband come to visit me his band is always tighter He lives at sea level, but I live 9 months out of the year at over 4K feet. It's the altitude...

Thanks for the feedback! But I wonder how much it fills and how long it lasts? I think I'll get some taken out, just in case. I wouldn't want to ruin it for the rest of the family if I had to end up in an ER in Scotland.

It's better to be safe than sorry. This way I'll get to enjoy eating a little more anyway.

Thanks again and I'll check-in after the trip. Patty Ann

Wow, this is VERY good advice. I'm flying to the west coast next month, so I'm glad to see this message. It'll be my first flight since being banded and I wouldn't have thought to pay attention to this. Thanks!!

Alex, I am having lapband surgery on Wednesday 7/13/05 by Dr. Abkin too, in fact I will be the first patient for this type of surgery at Dover General Hospital... Dr. Abkin told me that I could not fly for 1 month after surgery, so we choose this date, since I am going to Vegas 8/17/05. I have a question, what is a fill? For me, it has always meant what I have done to my nails every 2 weeks, but I guess this is the other term for "band adjustment"?

Hi Beth! Welcome to LBT and to the wonderful world of banding! Yes indeed, a "fill" is just a way of referring to the adjustments made to the band as necessary. Sometimes Fluid is added (a "fill") sometimes it's taken out (an "unfill") but either way it's an adjustment.

Good luck at Dover General!! The last time I was there I was very impressed with the improvements made. I'm sure you'll have terrific care. And I hope we'll see you at the next support group meeting, on the 27th of this month. By then you'll be feeling your old self again.

This is great information - I am going to Canada in two weeks, exactly one month after my banding and the elevation changes will be dramatic!

I did fly one week after my banding and went up to a 7k elevation. I had a hard time getting down the Protein shake when I got there, but by that afternoon I felt fine and had some Soup. I never though of the elevation and flight effecting the band that way. I fly a lot so this is a great consideration as to when I get my fill.

I do know that my dr. said that they have banded a ton of Airlines employees, including people that fly a lot, so hopefully they know the ropes on this issue!

Hmm, I was planning on flying home after my surgery.

Hi Barbara! You'll be fine because most bands are empty until your first adjustment, 4-6 weeks after surgery. Good luck with your surgery!

Hi Pattyann,

Yes, I think I had better keep it that way to. I had ask if I could have at least a small fill before I left Mexico and was told that "it was possible." I asked because I haven't been able to find a after care or fill Dr. locally so it looks like I will either have to go to Dallas or back to Mexico. However, I think I will just leave it empty since that is how it is suppose to be and not take any chances. I can manage to get somewhere for a fill in 4-6 weeks.

Enjoy Scotland!

My surgeon told me not to fly until my first fill because it is impossible to get all the air out of my port during surgery so during the first fill and every fill after that he assures there isnt any air in there.