Airplane Embarassment - ThinnerTimes

VickiLyn · 07-12-2008, 10:22 AM

I just got back from Vegas, the only cliche in the vacation was the seat belt not fitting on the plane. The last time I flew was 2 years ago, and I did not have that problem then. I've gained a lil bit of weight since then but really hadn't thought about not fitting the seat belt. So once I got on the plane and sat down, I tried the belt, tugged tried to stretch it.. nothing worked. It didnt help that I was sitting next to this couple that kept giving me disgusted looks. Finally I had to suck it up and ask the flight attendant for a seat belt extender, I was mortified. It was a miserable 4 hours stuck in that little plane seat next to people that thought I was gross. I was a little luckier on the way home, and got to sit next to my girlfriends, but it was still a little emabarrasing asking for an extender. I had also planned on riding a couple of the rides in Vegas, but chickend out because I was worried about not fitting. It disgust me that I let myself get like this, when I look in the mirror I don't see the huge person that I guess I am. Kind of pitiful. Not a good day.

rivi23 · 07-12-2008, 10:32 AM

Vicki...I had that happen to me last summer, and I was mortified. I was in the middle seat (traveling alone to NYC to meet some girlfriends for a wedding) and I was totally squished between these two people, and they looked at me like I had the plague. I had to ask for a seatbelt extender and the man next to me just shook his head and turned away from me, I have never felt more disgusting than I did that day. I never felt as fat as I was, and now I look back and just can't believe it. And it makes me sad...body dysmorphia (I think that is what it is called) is so hard. My husband suffers from it too (we talk about it a lot). There is a great article somewhere on this board about it. That was the last topic we discussed at my local support group meeting. I think most WLS patients and obese people in general suffer from it...it's just natural.

PS...I went on my honeymoon in vegas and refused to get on the rides for fear of not fitting. That happened at Dollywood last year in front of some of my students and I swore then and there, that something had to change.

Josephine · 07-12-2008, 10:41 AM

I've never had to ask for a seat belt extender, I'm naturally thinner where the seatbelt goes. I carry a lot of weight in my upper torso. I have been in a situation where it was a tight fit tho and I felt embarrassed. And once on a ride in an amusement park, I think the bar that holds you in pretty much crushed my reproductive system. I was crying I wanted off that ride so bad. I really thought it did permanent damage for a long time, but my obgyn says everything looks fine. Even tho most of my life I've been the popular funny, smart, fat girl, we've ALL gone thru something like this and even tho people don't make fun of you to your face doesn't mean they dont do it behind your back. We've all had it happen honey. It will be fine cause soon you'll be thin and when you see someone look at an obese person in disgust, you can speak up and embarass the asshole.

Godsblessedme · 07-12-2008, 11:49 AM

aww sweetums soon enough you'll be tightening that seat belt thinking how easily you fit in the seat. your going in the right direction

Rachel · 07-12-2008, 11:58 AM

**HUGS** That is never a fun thing to have to go through. I had to ask for the extender myself, I feel your pain. As for the people next to you 1. HOW RUDE!! 2. Who gives a crap, you are working to resolve the issues with your body and well that guy doesn't even have a prayer at fixing what is wrong with him!

Your day will come when you can sit on that plane tighten your seat belt and even raise the arm rest and be kind to someone else who needs the extra room.

I am so sorry you had to go through that.

Rain · 07-12-2008, 12:08 PM

People are rude to us and thats ok. I know God will take of them folks. SO sorry that you had to go thru that on airplane.
I saw a picture of me this last week taken a year ago and you know I didn't realize how big I was at that time. So I can relate to you the feelings you have. I even had said to my family I still feel obsese at times and catch myself going to the womens clothing 1st. I realize it takes time to get use to being thinner. When a best friend of mine got sick she got up to 400 lbs b4 she died. I took a real good look at myself and knew I was right behind her on the scales and decided then to have the surgery. I felt like I was looking out a very small window and couldn't get out. I have11 grand childrenthe older ones asked me to live longer for them. So I am doing the best I can and I still get looks at times from people and I don't know if its because I'm thinner and look good or I'm just to friendly and talk too much lol.
You know people these days forget their manners in public so many people do not care what the say or how their facial manners look. Feelings we all have them and should put yourself in that persons shoes befoore they judge.
I do my best to teach all my children to be respectful kids and adults. 3 adult,9 grand and 2 great plus 8 step adults and 10 step grandkids. Lets not discuss birthdays and holidays. *winks*
Take care and know that you are gonna get thinner now. God Bless you are a wonderful person.

VickiLyn · 07-12-2008, 12:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. I can't wait to get this thing started. I want to live my life to its fullest, and its not happening with all this excess weight. I know that I'm large, or fluffy as I like to call it. I never really realized until that moment sitting on the plane just how out of control I had let it get. This time next year when I go on vacation, I hope not to have to worry about fitting anywhere or taking up more than my space.

Wishing everyone success on whatever part of the journey they are traveling.

Cinerbelle · 07-12-2008, 12:54 PM

Oh my, I feel your pain. Your story brought back ugly memories. Coming home from the best vacation of my life in 2004 (Alaska cruise) my hubby and I got split up on the plane and I had to sit in a window seat next to a skinny couple I didn't know. I tried and tried to get that seat belt on, but no luck. I had to suck up my pride and request a seat belt extender and since I was in the window seat I had to speak up for the flight attendant to hear me. I hadn't had the problem on the flight to Seattle to catch our cruise because we flew First Class going and those seats were wide and comfy...no problem with the belt...coming home I cried quietly to myself the entire time. Know that this too shall pass and one day you will get on a plane and you will hear the click and smile to yourself. Incidentally, the next time I flew after the 2004 incident was to Vegas and I had had my sugery 5 months before.

Below is the Thread were I was getting ready to go to Vegas and was afraid the seat belt wasn't going to fit...at the end of the Thread I post that it fit!!

Going to Vegas....Little Worried

JumboJulie · 07-12-2008, 01:48 PM

Vicki, I am so very sorry to hear what happened. I too, like most of us here, understand your pain all too well.

Last October I flew to Texas to visit my 4 little nieces and nephews, who I hadn't seen in 2 years. We went to Fiesta Texas, which is a Six Flags park. We went on kiddie rides all day and never needed a seat belt or any special accomidations. But toward the end of the day Derrick and I, (the oldest at 11 years old and my SweetHeart!) wanted to go on a few "Adult" rides. We ditched everyone else and ran off ... to "The Poltergiest" roller coaster. We waited for a HOUR to get on and sure enough, when I sat next to him, the bar couldn't close over me because I was just too fat. My heart sank like a rock and even sitting here typing this I have tears in my eyes. They had to hold up the ride for me and EVERYONE knew what was going on. My Love, Derrick, acted like it was no big deal ... but I know an 11 year old boy was doing his best to hide his embarassment just to spare my feelings. I had to hold myself together and be very strong so as not to cry. I told him I was so sorry he had to go through that with me. He told me not to worry, he said the ride looked too scary anyway and really didn't want to go on it that bad (YEA RIGHT!! YOU KNOW HE WANTED TO GO ON IT!!)

That kid is my HERO, and I'm going to log off now and have myelf a little cry ... sorry, I'll check in later.

-Julie.

coptergirl · 07-12-2008, 03:09 PM

That is the most horrible feeling, and I am so sorry you had to go through that embarasment. Know that one day soon, you will be able to fit into that seat - I can now sit in coach with the seatbelt on the thinnest setting, can sit with my legs crossed, and can even sit "Indian style" in coach...your day will one day come too