Any issues with flying after a lap-band®

PharmaGirl · 03-25-2009, 02:53 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm getting banded in late April but need to fly interstate in mid-May (Melb-Perth ~5 hours each way) and then internationally in early June (Aust-US ~16 hours each way).

Does anyone do any regular long-distance flying with their band? Any issues that I need to be aware of?

Thanks in anticipation of any advice anyone can give.

RestlessMonkey · 03-25-2009, 03:21 AM

I think you need to discuss this with your surgeon. Depending on how many days you are post op, a BIG issue would be the threat of blood clots. That's always a danger for anyone flying, and it is magnified in post op patients. When you have an obese post op patient, the threat ratchets up even more. If you MUST fly I'm sure your surgeon can give you drugs or directions to make it safer for you....and your surgery date may be far enough from your flight date to make it a non-issue.

As to the band itself; while I've read about some who have issues, you will probably be ok, especially if the flight is on a commercial (pressurized) airliner. Ask your surgeon about that, too.

saundersd · 03-25-2009, 03:24 AM

Hi Diane here, I had band fitted in Jan 09 and am flying to the states in April, I was told that I didnt need to do anything with the band, sometimes the air bubbles expand and all you do is sit there, dont eat or drink and wait till you land and the air bubbles disperse, you might have to go on liquid for a few hours.

jms462001 · 03-25-2009, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmaGirl

Hi everyone,

I'm getting banded in late April but need to fly interstate in mid-May (Melb-Perth ~5 hours each way) and then internationally in early June (Aust-US ~16 hours each way).

Does anyone do any regular long-distance flying with their band? Any issues that I need to be aware of?

Thanks in anticipation of any advice anyone can give.

I just had a flight of about 4 hours. I wasn't able to eat the following morning and got stuck and sick when I tried, but I'm always a bit tight in the morning. I did eat some snacks on the plane with no problems. I will be flying for 14 hours on April 4th and returning on the 20th. I will post and let everyone know how that trip goes. I hope there will be no problems!!

letsgetitstarted · 03-25-2009, 07:53 AM

I'm flying from the states to India (2 flights 5+9 hours) on this Sat. (for a 5 week assignment). I was banded 3 weeks ago and have talked with my doctor about this, but I was more worried about support if I would have any complications once there. I have an appointment on Thurs and will ask about the flight in general. I do not have a fill yet, so I'm not as worried about some of the restriction issues that I have been reading about, but since I'm newly banded I should be worried about blood clots

. Will let you know what my Dr. advises.

Madison2272 · 03-25-2009, 09:35 PM

I had to fly home 2 weeks post op for a family emergency..the only flight I could get on short notice was with 2 lay overs making a 3 hour flight into a 12 hour adventure!.. I had no problems with the flights just a bit sore from lifting my bags off the baggage claim turntables..

I used a backpack for a carry on instead of having to carry anything in my arms. I am left handed and was afraid of pulling stiches from the port.. When I finally arrived home I was a bit tried and a little sore but took some tylenol and rested and was fine..

PharmaGirl · 03-25-2009, 09:48 PM

Thanks to everyone for their replies - all of them have been helpful to me. There is nothing like hearing it from people who have actually been there and done it. However, I will definitely speak to my doctor about this (and check if I need to have anything to prevent thromboses). I might discuss with my doctor whether I should wait to have my first fill after I get back from the US (which will be about 8 weeks after my band goes in) just in case.

letsgetitstarted, are you getting a fill before you fly to India. Thanks for offering to tell us what your Dr says. I'll do the same.

jms462001, thanks for offering to let us know how your flights in April go - I'll look forward to hearing.

itschoice · 03-26-2009, 02:00 AM

I worry about the same thing. I am going to Seattle in July and in the past (pre-band) on some flights I have swollen up and had to take off the rings on my hands. They started hurting my fingers and my fingers puffed up.

I know that some say the cabin is pressurized but if the pressure is the same as when you are on the ground then peoples ears would not get plugged and/or pop. I guess I plan on staying on liquids and hope for the best.

letsgetitstarted · 03-26-2009, 07:28 AM

Hi Pharmagirl, I am not getting a fill prior to my trip.......I'm only three weeks post op, my doctor does not routinely give fills until you have been on solid foods which will be at week 8......which will be just when I return

. For some reason my Dr. is very conservative in what foods we can eat during recovery. 3 weeks liquids (very tired of liquids

, 2 week mushies, 2 weeks soft foods, 1 week transitional foods.

armywife4life · 03-26-2009, 07:32 AM

keep posting friends, i will be flying from Germany stateside in June and would like to hear how all international flights went. I had a complete unfill and dont' think i will be filling again till after i get back in Aug.

Meekie · 05-21-2009, 09:45 AM

Why did you have a complete unfill? Just worried about you. Remember, I have the same doctor.

jms462001 · 05-22-2009, 12:02 AM

My trip to Africa was fine. I ate and drank. The first flight was close to 4 hours and the 2nd was 12 1/2 hours. I felt no different, ate carefully and had no problems going or coming back.

Lisadawnh35 · 05-22-2009, 01:48 PM

I was banded December 23, 2008. Flew to New York from Florida at the end of April. Had no problems ast all!!!!

Aurelia · 05-23-2009, 02:35 AM

I'm a flight attendant and will be returning to work in about three weeks. I'll let you know how the band feels as I'll be doing Int'l and Trans Continental Flights.