By: Gloria Samuels

Do you have questions about how to plan for airline travel with your lap band?  You're not alone!  A lot of lap band patients I talk with find flying a challenge especially since you can't take liquids through security and airport and in-flight choices aren't always the best. 

Back in 2006, four weeks after lap band surgery, I flew from LA to Amsterdam.  I was nervous about flying so soon after surgery, and realized that I needed to have a plan.  Remember one of the important rules of lapbanded living:  "ALWAYS have a plan or a least a plan B.  NO EXCUSES." It has become second nature for me to know how to fly with AND use my lap band.  There usually are a lot of good choices if you look hard, but I've learned that the best thing for me is to bring along the foods I want for the trip. 

You can spend a lot of time traveling door to door even for a short flight - between traveling to the airport, time in the airport, the actual flight, and finally arriving at your final destination.  If you want to work your tool, that is probably way too long to go without the right food choices!  I make sure I have my plan, or at least my plan b.  (My "plan b", is the food and/or snack I always have with me, just in case the meal I plan to eat out is not what I need to work my tool, or lacks sufficient protein.)

Even if you are staying at a hotel, you can to stop at a supermarket en route to the airport - between the deli and produce sections you can always put together a meal that you can enjoy and feel good about.  I also ALWAYS travel with an ample supply of protein powder. 

Here are my tips to work your lap band tool during your trip - NO EXCUSES: 

• My typical stash that is easy to bring along for the flight: banana, low fat cheese, Ziplocs with Grapes, walnuts, tomatoes, turkey breast and protein powder

  Bring protein powder in Ziploc bags.  I bring enough for my entire round-trip.  (I double bag my protein powder because it can get pretty messy if the bag breaks.)
• Bring lunch meat or leftovers of lean protein such as turkey breast, roast beef, chicken strips, cooked shrimp - whatever you like, again in Ziplocs. 
• Fill a few more Ziploc bags with easy to eat fruits such as grapes, berries, baby carrots, radishes, grape tomatoes, edamame, whatever you like! 
• A handful of nuts make a great treat and are very satisfying, yes more Ziplocs
• Bring along some paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils.  The airlines don't always supply them. 

• Protein powder mixes easily in my water bottle.

  Splurge on a big bottle of water in the terminal, after you get through security.  Another option is to bring an empty refillable bottle and fill it when you get through security.  You can try one of the new shaker bottles with a wide mouth designed to mix protein powder in; I found one made by Zyliss, but a half-empty water bottle will do. 
• Check out the on-board menu before you fly.  It's also a good idea to find out if the airline takes cash or credit cards only on board. 
• Decide how you want to celebrate when you get to your destination since you'll be able to pat yourself on the back for having a plan and making good choices during the flight! 

Safe travels!  By the way, did you notice that a lot of these tips work well for road trips, bringing food to work or visiting relatives?  Let us know if you have any other tips by posting on our forums.

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