Traveling by plane with a lap-band

I travel weekly, long-hauls to Europe and shorter flights in the US.  No issue, ever! Some people say they experience tightening, but I've never experienced it!

I have flown several times with my band (only 2-3 hour flights).  I can tell you that when I am in the air, my band is wide open.  I can eat solids for breakfast on the plane but not any other time.  But... once I land, my band gets extremely tight (tighter than before take off) and I have to do liquids for a couple of days after flying.  This is not common though.  Not everyone has changes with their band when flying.  I have changes with flying and swimming.  My stomach and band are very sensitive to pressure and swelling changes.  It is the minority, not the majority.  There are plenty of people that travel for work with their bands and they never feel a change. 

That's a load of carp.  I've flown multiple times across the country (once from Portland, Oregon to Philadelphia, PA) with no problems and NO unfills. Bandsters can even scuba dive!  Or go on cruises.  Even get naked with bandmembers, lol.  (I've had a BUSY year.) Anyway the key seems to also include dehydration as being a consideration.  The airplane air is so dry and people tend to forget to drink water when they travel that you need to be very aware of how much you're drinking and how much sodium you're taking in. I know Alyssa's had problems but I don't recall too many people having longstanding issues.  I do know that I'm prepared to go on liquids the first day or two after I fly just so I know I will have "food" available if I do have any problems.  I also try and find a name and number for at least one doctor in the area where I'm traveling. Also you probably don't want to get a fill within two weeks of flying or leaving the area.  That way you're near home if you need an unfill.  Of course that's also a generalization but I follow this one. EDIT:  Mexico bandsters also fly regularly back and forth to Mexico for fills...  Just a thought.

Thanks for your reply May (Sono)

I've flown on 3 hour flights . . .no problems.  I did ask my doctor about it before I flew - and he said the only way the band would tighten was if there was air in the tubing . . . and he had never had a patient have problems with flying . . . just what he told me . . . and I had no problems (yea).  I also ate regularly after flying too (on a cruise). Good luck!

I just got a fill today.... i fly -- 8 hr flight -- on Monday. The doctor didn't fill me too much and said to do clear liquids before, during, after flight. She says most people do just fine...once in a while  some people get a little tighter.

I flew from Connecticut to DC in February with no problem.  I'm flying to Virgin Gorda in August (actually to Tortola and taking a ferry to VG) and I anticipate no problem.  The one thing I wouldn't do is get a fill a couple of weeks before going somewhere that I can't count on competent medical care for an unfill, as your band can tighten up two or three weeks after a fill.  That being said, I won't be getting a fill before going to Virgin Gorda because I think that all I can count on in the British Virgin Islands is a medical clinic.  One bandster did post that her doctor had quoted this misinformation to her a few months ago, but we assured her he didn't know what he was talking about.

My doctor said that flying should not effect the band.... Then I flew to Vegas, 3 hours, and I couldn't eat without PBing for 4 days. I was tight. I felt fine after 2 weeks.  Theresa, Rockford

LOL this urban myth is one of my bandster pet peeves The band is fluid filled so changes in air pressure, like flying and scuba diving, have no effect. Some bandsters, myself included, get tight from stress, dehydration and crappy airport food but not because of anything with the band itself.  When I scuba dive it is fine. Enjoy your trip - you'll be fine.