Flying With The Band

[itschoice 0]

I'm not a FA but I did fly this summer. I drank 3 bottles of Water before getting on the plane and 1 bottle during the first half of the flight. I had to stop because I felt tight and was worried. Not to mention the fact that I had to go to the bathroom 4 times during a 2 hour flight. However, I was very tight after the flight and continued tight for days. I slimed and PB on liquid the days following the flight and I think I caused myself swelling. On the return flight I did not drink as much because I did not want to have to go to the bathroom as much. I did get tight but It was not as bad and I was back to normal after a day or so.

I have asked my doctor and he says that flying should have no effect. However, I think it is just a line that the manufactures put out because if you know anything about science the atmosphere exerts about 2 lb of pressure on every square centimeter of our bodies at sea level. This pressure dose not crush us because the fluids in our bodies exert pressure back. Now while the cabin of an airplane is pressurized I wonder if it is a constant pressure or if there are variations in the pressure as it ascends and descends and our bodies don't react to exactly match the pressure changes moment by moment. Or, more precisely the fluids in our bodies expand with the possible variations in airpressure, expanding our cells and tissue which mimics swelling/blotting reducing the size of the opening of the stoma. Then because of the increased restriction around the stomach caused by the band it irritates the stoma which does in fact swell and then you have a problem.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Edited September 27, 2009 by itschoice