Hi. I am traveling to La Paz, Bolivia which has an altitude of about 12,000 feet.

Has anyone traveled to a high altitude place after being banded? I am debating getting an un-fill before going, but I would love to avoid that since I am at a good fill level now.

There's a difference in oxygen at that level but I can't imagine it would directly impact your band. I am not a doc or an altitude specialist however; I say ask your surgeon to be sure. I wasn't told to avoid altitude or pressure shifts (like deep sea diving, for example) I don't think it matters, but its possible I'm wrong.

I've heard the medical community claim that pressure and altitude changes don't affect the band, but me, and numerous other people on this board have had experiences with flying. Taking a puddle jumper flight, or a low altitude flight for short duration doesn't do a thing to my band, but a long, 40,000ft.+ type trip does. I actually felt the band getting uncomfortable during the flight, so I just drank liquids. I wasn't able to eat solid food for a day or two upon arrival. Then it slowly went back to normal. As for actually staying in a high altitude place, I can't say. I'm thinking it may be a very individual and personal thing.

I haven't been to a high altitude place but I have taken several trips on a plane and I have not encountered any problems. I have read that some people do but I haven't. I guess it's different for everyone. Good luck.