I got my fourth fill on Wednesday and I definately feel restriction. I may have to Fly to California at anytime due to a emergrncy and I am wondering how flying affects the band??? Thanks in advance for comments

I got told the band has to be unfilled due to the body swelling up & making the band even tighter, maybe others have been told different?

I flew last week without getting an unfill. I did swell up a little but it wasn't as bad as the swelling I had just after my last fill. I tried yogurt the morning following my flight, and it was painful to get down but no pbing, so on my return flight I stuck with liquids for first 24 hrs and I was fine.

However, everyone is different and if you are concerned than go get an unfill.

I have flown frequently since being banded. I've never had one issue, nothing changed, no odd tightness ... no port setting off the metal detector, no change whatsoever.

Hi:

My surgeon told the support group to stick to liquids when you're flying and for about an hour after flying. He said it's something about how they pressurize the cabin that can affect the band.

Best wishes to you.

Sue

I have not flown since being banded but I did ask my surgeon about it. He told me that you don't need to get it unfilled when you fly unless your are going on extremely long flight (8 hrs or more). He also said depending on how you feel after a flight (long or short ) you may want to eat liquids or mushies for a few hours.

Banded Aug. 27 , 2008

Thank you all so much for the comments! I am working on a short time frame here and was getting nervous.

Thanks again!

I go on frequent flights that are in excess of 8 hours so I guess I should check with the DR when I see him next. I have not been banded yet so that would be a concern for me. I also have to get my annual flight phy. completed again here real soon. I would have completed it already (prior to the surgery) but my AIC (diabetes) was to high and I would have been denied for sure. I have been told that the LB does not prevent the FAA from approving the flight phy. either so I would think flying should be just fine.

Hello, I just flew from Chicago to Florida and I didn't have any problems. You will not fill the band at all.

Flying definetely has an effect on the band, but some people experience the tightness and some don't. If you have ever taken a bottle of water onto a flight and noticed how the bottle will collapse a bit during the flight, this is what happens to your band. It is related to the pressurization in the cabin...

Good for you!! I am 23 days post op and I had my first unassisted BM this morning!! Yep you heard me right, I have not had a BM on my own in 23 days!! I've been taking Milk of Mag once and week and would spend the whole day on the toilet..

Count your blessings for your POO, cuz I sure know I am!!!

I travel often with work. I asked about flying and was told it can effect the tightness of my band. I took a short flight from Houston to New Orleans last week and did have trouble with food getting stuck. I already have good restriction so after trying to eat lunch the day I arrived and getting food stuck, I had to be very careful. The day after I arrived home, I actually got sick. Until you know how it will effect you, do be very careful!

I'm flying to West Africa in April and my Dr. said flying would not effect the band at all. He did give me a needle and syringe in case I should need an emergency unfill while I am there.

I've flown from the east coast to the west coast since having good restriction and didn't notice any difference in my band.

I just noticed that this post showed up on this thread! Obviously it's not supposed to go here and I don't know how to remove it?? Kinda embarrassing....

Edited February 26, 200917 yr by Oregondaisy

I fly alot - 300-400K miles a year, and got banded 18 months ago. the results can be unpredictable, some flights don''t effect me at all, some do. I always carry liquid protien, instant soup and oatmeal so that if I can't eat anything I have something to eat until I can get to my doctor. I've never had that bad a problem but I have had a half dozen times where I couldn't eat for 2-3 days. I pretty much don't eat on flights, but I do eat a little.