I'm a Flight Attendant and I just wanted to see if my experiences with flying with the band are on par with others. My trips typically last 4 to 5 days and they are pure hell. I try to drink water during my flights because I know dehydration can cause the band to tighten. However, I find that I am unable to eat on the days that I fly and for about 2 days after. On the last trip I did I almost passed out from the lack of food. I have considered perhaps getting an unfill but on the days that I'm not flying I'm ok with eating food. Has anyone else experienced this and how did you combat the problem. I've also noticed that my port site becomes extremely irritated when I fly and I feel it popping when I bend over.

What's a girl to do?

I was just banded last month and haven't flown yet although I do have travel plans coming up next month. Do you attribute this to the altitude changing the pressure in your band and causing more restriction?

Sally,

I think two things cause the restriction...The Cabin Pressure and the dry air in the cabin. I finished flying on wednesday morning and I'm still not able to eat because I'm so tight. I'm giving it one more day and then calling my doc to see about a slight unfill.

umm, I flew 1 1/2 wk ago and was just fine. Although I didnt really eat immediately afterwards because i was tired and went to sleep. I drank water during to flight, so maybe I was well hydrated?

I agree that you need to stay really really hydrated and see if that does it. If not, then go for the unfill.

I know you're busy while working but if you work at it you should be able to work in enough liquids to keep you hydrated. Good luck

I fly every week from NYC to San Diego for work and never have a problem. In fact, I don't have a problem eating on the flight itself. I try to drink water during the flight - it keeps my skin hydrated as well. We even flew to New Zealand this summer [14 hrs from LA!] and no problems. As expected, everyone is different!

I fly every week from NYC to San Diego for work and never have a problem. In fact, I don't have a problem eating on the flight itself. I try to drink Water during the flight - it keeps my skin hydrated as well. We even flew to New Zealand this summer [14 hrs from LA!] and no problems. As expected, everyone is different!

I guess everyone is different! I do try to drink water throughout my flights to stay hydrated. It's just nearly impossible to get anything down once I'm back on the ground. This is so weird. Plus you also have to remember that I'm in the air a lot longer than the average person especially when you factor in my 3 hour commute home after flying for 13+ hours from the middle east.

Edited September 11, 200917 yr by Aurelia

I guess everyone is different! I do try to drink water throughout my flights to stay hydrated. It's just nearly impossible to get anything down once I'm back on the ground. This is so weird. Plus you also have to remember that I'm in the air a lot longer than the average person especially when you factor in my 3 hour commute home after flying for 13+ hours from the middle east.

That's horrible to have that problem and be a flight attendant. Maybe you could keep your band a bit looser and it might help? I have flown to Africa twice since being banded without any problems. I ate meals on the plane. I hope you can find something to help with it.

I am going to ask my surgeon today (fill day) since I will be going back to my hometown (Thailand) in a month. The trip is a long one 20+ hours, so I am scare about it. I know I can take an empty bottle on the plane, but will the flight attendance fill the bottle up for me or I have to use their cup. The reason is so I don't have to ask for Water that often.

Thanks,

I had an issue with flying I also couldnt eat for a couple days after the flight. I got stuck on yougart during the flight and I was not tight to start off with...It was pure hell for me I was trying to go on a cruse lol

But the return trip I sucked on ice cubes and I was ok. No food, Just the ice. And I was ok. I will probably stick with Ice next time. maybe just water...But not eat during the flight.

So yeah It is a problem for some of us. But not all of us.

I am going to ask my surgeon today (fill day) since I will be going back to my hometown (Thailand) in a month. The trip is a long one 20+ hours, so I am scare about it. I know I can take an empty bottle on the plane, but will the flight attendance fill the bottle up for me or I have to use their cup. The reason is so I don't have to ask for Water that often.

Thanks,

You can take as much water as you wish on the plane as long as you buy it after you go through security.

I had the same problem. No clue how to fix it though. I too felt almost a popping from my port. Eat a lot of soup? maybe drinking while eatting might help, even though we aren't supposed to...

As a flight attendant, my experience with the band has not been a good one. I wrote a letter to my surgeon regarding aviation and the band for his case studies. I have a complete unfill and still feel chest pain. However, i must tell you that upon banding three years and four months ago had a 5cm hiatal hernia. Last year my crew encountered severe turbulence that required months of PT. Since I had pain all over I did not contribute it to the band. Upper GI's and endoscopies reveal it has herniated above the diaphragm. My port site has always been sore, very touchy, I yelp when my husband brushes his hand over it. So, if you are considering the band and are an aviator, be sure to discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Keep in mind while making your WLS decision, this industry has a higher injury rate than construction workers. Case studies would be useful (occupational/WLS stats) in making a decision. I should have known better. It is common sense that anything filled with fluid or is sealed on an airplane at a certain altitude may not remain intact.

WOW I am so sorry your having all those problems.

I know I had an issue but Some people dont have problems flying with their band. I know that for me I need to Not have any solids right before or after a flight. I just mark them down as liquid days.

Sorry to hear you have such an issue with it.

Violet,

Thanks for understanding where I'm coming from as an aviator. No offense to the responses that I've received but business or leisure flying is not the same as working a flight. I'm glad I got a FA to respond to my question. I have spoken to my doctor about adding my issues to his case studies and so far he's given me a cat scan and an upper Endoscopy but all seems well with the band. I still have ridiculous port pain and I think it's shifted and lodged up by my ribs. He's not really sure what's going on and seems to just be scratching his head. I have a work colleague who had bypass and he has no issues. I really think doctors shouldn't recommend the band to pilots or flight attendants. It's just pure hell!!

I'm not a FA but I did fly this summer. I drank 3 bottles of Water before getting on the plane and 1 bottle during the first half of the flight. I had to stop because I felt tight and was worried. Not to mention the fact that I had to go to the bathroom 4 times during a 2 hour flight. However, I was very tight after the flight and continued tight for days. I slimed and PB on liquid the days following the flight and I think I caused myself swelling. On the return flight I did not drink as much because I did not want to have to go to the bathroom as much. I did get tight but It was not as bad and I was back to normal after a day or so.

I have asked my doctor and he says that flying should have no effect. However, I think it is just a line that the manufactures put out because if you know anything about science the atmosphere exerts about 2 lb of pressure on every square centimeter of our bodies at sea level. This pressure dose not crush us because the fluids in our bodies exert pressure back. Now while the cabin of an airplane is pressurized I wonder if it is a constant pressure or if there are variations in the pressure as it ascends and descends and our bodies don't react to exactly match the pressure changes moment by moment. Or, more precisely the fluids in our bodies expand with the possible variations in airpressure, expanding our cells and tissue which mimics swelling/blotting reducing the size of the opening of the stoma. Then because of the increased restriction around the stomach caused by the band it irritates the stoma which does in fact swell and then you have a problem.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Edited September 27, 200916 yr by itschoice