Traveling by plane with a lap-band

Hello ,      I have  a question, there was a conference a few days ago in Maryland near DC, about Gastric Bypass and Lap bands and one of the issues raised there, is that people with lap bands if they travel by plane (specially overseas and long flights) they need to empty their bands, because the stomach will expand with gas and there is a possibility of bloating and vomiting?? Has any one with a band traveled for a long distance by plane? and was there any complications? I need to know before I travel this July?  Thanks, PS Had my lap band 03/13/2008 , so far so good, had 2 fills (total 4.1 cc in a 10cc band) but not near my sweet point yet.

I have heard of the stoma tightening up a bit in some people when they fly, but I think that business about the stomach expanding with gas is horse hockey.  Airplane cabins are pressurized.  There's no reason for gas to increase because of flying. I have flown many times since being banded and never had a problem with it. Jean

Thanks Jean , that is what I need to hear

i flew from DC to Minneapolis one month after i was banded and didn't have any problems, but i didn't eat a lot that day, either .... i kept with soup.   it was a 2.5 hour flight, there, had a lunch meeting and then a 2.5 hour flight back,  so i don't think it qualifies as a long flight.  i know there are a lot of others here who travel a lot .... i'm sure they'll answer with their opinions.  good luck!!   Linda

I've flown twice since being banded with no problems at all.  I was prepared to experience some tightening after reading some posts here, but I didn't notice a thing!

I have flown several times since getting my band. Twice from Dallas to Las Vegas and back. Once from Dallas to Atlanta and back. I have never heard of this. Of course all of these trips are about 2 1/2  hours each way. I havent had any problems.  I am going for a fill tomorrow. I will be going on vacation flying to Vegas next month, so I will ask my doctor tomorrow.  Karen

Thanks Karen , I really appreciate it May (Sono)

I've flown from DC to Vegas and back and had no problems.

I can't say this all completely untrue b/c maybe someone out there may at one point had an issue.. BUT I fly 2-4 times a week for my job and once a month I have to fly overseas to London, and I have never once had a problem with my band. Actually the only problem I had at all involving my stomach since being banded was when I had to fly less than two weeks after surgery on a 10 hour flight and I found my self VERY uncomfortable at my port...but that was only b/c of a long period of time in the same position so soon after surgery. But the band itself has never given me any problems. I have a feeling you'll be just fine when you travel in July. GOOD LUCK, AMY

Thanks Amy for your reply, I sure hope my responce to flying is like yours. The only problem I have is MOTION SICKNESS so I usually use some prescription by my doctor which makes me drowsy the whole flight. I never traveled after being banded and don't know how my body will repond? Thanks again for your reply May (Sono)