Flying with a band - advice from my Doc

pizzicato66 · 02-19-2008, 11:26 AM

Hi,

I had an interesting conversation with my doc last night when I went in for my fill. I thought I'd share some advice she gave me.

When we were talking about my upcoming trip to LA, she immediately asked how soon I was going and said not to eat a big solid meal right before or during the flight.

Here's why - when she and her husband were flying to Mexico, her husband partially inflated a neck pillow. After takeoff, they noticed that the pillow was now extremely filled due to the change in air pressure. They let some air out of it and a few minutes later it was again filled to the max! She said it was an amazing visual and something she wanted to share with her patients. Basically, you're not at risk of bursting your band or anything, but it WILL tighten your band, and therefore eating while in flight could be a problem and make my tummy upset

(she thought drinking would be okay).

Her advice was to just have a light soup or something for dinner before I fly, but then just have water while in flight, so I don't get uncomfortable from changes in the band while in the pressurized cabin.

Has anyone else heard this advice? My doc is pretty sharp, so I'm not taking any chances!!

Frangipani · 02-19-2008, 01:36 PM

Hi Pizzi,

I fly pretty often and generally I do notice that flying tightens my band a bit, but never to the point of it being difficult or uncomfortable for me to eat. I have never once had any sort of problem with my band while traveling, and there have been times when flying seems to actually loosen my band -- so it is a very unpredictable thing.

Overall I have to say that for me, the effect of airline travel on my band is so slight that it is basically a non-issue.

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge

11/28 Exercise Sessions

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

pizzicato66 · 02-20-2008, 10:56 AM

That's good to hear! I posted on the obesity help board too and heard much the same. I imagine saline doesn't react the same way as air, and kinda wondered but figured she's the doc. I'll chat with her about it next time!

Frangipani · 02-20-2008, 11:11 AM

Hi Pizzi,

Yeah, nothing to worry about IMHO. I eat like I normally do while traveling and have never had any problems at all.

The only time I concern myself with this issue is when I go for fills. As a precaution, I try to schedule my fills for 24 hours (or so) after I have taken a flight.

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge

12/28 Exercise Sessions

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

JudiM · 03-03-2008, 02:26 PM

Hi....Chiming in here....my dr mentioned the same thing during a conversation about my travel plans the next few months. Good to know others heard the same....!
Judi

pizzicato66 · 03-10-2008, 12:03 PM

Update - you were all correct - no problems at all. I'll fill my doc in next time I go in for a check. It kinda sounded like hogwash to me, and it was. :-)

Weas123 · 10-20-2008, 06:02 PM

Um... isn't the cabin of an airplane pressurized? I think this is a little piece of bologna.