Flying and Fat... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Crie · 01-26-2009, 11:55 AM

Ok, so I'm super super excited that my husband and I just booked a cruise for April 27th

Also exciting was that my mom tossed in her airline miles so that we could fly rather than drive to our port of call in New Orleans.

Ok.. so I've been on a cruise 5 1/2 years ago..we actually were wed on the ship

Back then, we also flew to Florida, but my husband and I (he's MO as well) booked 3 seats for ourselves as to be comfortable and not torment our fellow passengers. He's flown a few times on his own, but says the seats are uncomfortable and that he always hopes for an empty or a tiny person sitting next to him.

Now then... i'm so excited facing our trip in 3 months. Everything is booked and ready to go already. BUT I'm FREAKING OUT!!!!

I started my journey at 445 lbs. I've lost down to just floating around 305 currently and will be pushing myself for a 20-25 lb weight loss before our trip. So am i going to fit in the seat? Right now i'm sitting somewhere between a size 24/26 on both top and bottom. My hubby and I booked our seats where we're on the 2-seater side only, so that we'll only be squishing each other.

I tried to console myself and find some threads/posts/blogs online that talk about flying as an obese person, and I could about cry with the hatred and ..arrghhh!!! The worst i saw though was some people were bullied into purchasing additional seats once they were boarded. We simply cannot afford to do this.

I guess I just need some reassurance. He and I are about the same size right now, me slightly smaller but he's all belly. Most of you were starting your journeys about where i am now and hope to be 275-300 lbs. I am somewhat proportionate being 6'1 at this weight, but.. sigh.. am i really going to be freaking out for 3 months just waiting for the unknown?

Mandalagirl · 01-26-2009, 12:32 PM

I flew at 340 to Tennessee this summer, there werent any issues. He may need a belt extender is all. Don't worry about it! Your only squishing eachother, and you will not be invading someone elses seat

I had the same anxiety. It will be fine

Be more careful about the weight of your luggage...not your weight

Xcookiemonster · 01-26-2009, 12:33 PM

Hi
Don't worry about fitting in the seat. I flow last January to Las Vegas and had no problem. I wieghted 295 -300 and it was a squeeze between the arm rests but not a problem. You can always but the arm rest up between you and your husband. I didn't need an extender for the seat belt and that made me happy also. I also sit by the window or the isle seat that gives alittle more room.

I had RNY surgery on 12-10-08 and am down 30 lbs now. I am starting to feel the difference in my body. I dropped in sizes so I can start wearing the cloths from the other closet now.

Have a good time on your trip and don't worry you'll be fine!!

ragazzarosa · 01-26-2009, 12:34 PM

you. will. be. fine.

repeat.

Seriously, Mr. R and I just took an international trip where we flew (on my dad's miles) and I was freaking out about the planning (since I was hoovering around 310 myself, at 5'7" and Mr. R is a big man at 6'1" and 265). I called the airline multiple times to explain our situation. I got one very sympathetic agent who bumped us up to economy plus (more leg room) - but make sure that the arm rest is movable if you do that.

Otherwise, at that weight/height I don't think you'll need a seatbelt extender. AND the flight may be somewhat empty (I pray for this on every flight) so you guys can spread out and be more comfortable.

I would call the airline and see what they can do to accomodate you - they are always very nice. Just say, I am a large person and my husband is a large person and we are concerned about making the people around us uncomfortable - what can you do to help us? You should call to confirm your seating a couple of weeks before anyway since they often switch airplanes to accomodate the number of seats they've sold or not sold.

But still, it's never as bad as I think it's going to be - especially when I am traveling with my Mr. - so repeat again.

I.
Will.
Be.
Fine.

hexx2003 · 01-26-2009, 12:42 PM

yea, you should be good, I have flown easily at 320 and a size 28. So you should be just fine. Have a fabulous time on the cruise, its one of my favorite hobbies!

FutureFitGirly · 01-26-2009, 12:49 PM

Last time I flew I was 380ish and fit in the seats. Not comfortably...but I fit. You'll be fine! Breathe!!! I know you'll worry about it until you sit your skinny ass down! Chill girl. You'll be fine.

Crie · 01-26-2009, 01:20 PM

thanks guys. i know i'm probably just freakin out heh

and luckily i don't think its even POSSIBLE for them to switch out to a smaller plane since the planes we have are only 40-seaters on both legs lol. So unless they switch a prop engine crop duster.. we should be ok. They don't offer anything but coach/economy on any of the planes we're taking, so there isn't an option for upgrade even if we could.

I don't think that the arms raise on the return flight, but I'm fairly certain the lady said they do on our trip down there.

Thanks again for the reassurances. It sucks to be a fat person in an unaccommodating world. Even with losing 140 pounds i'm in a panic attack kinda mode.

I'm used to using the extenders, and it doesn't bother me having to ask for one when needed. I'd be more concerned about my safety and sanity NOT wearing one to worry about the extra embarrassment.

Just to give you an idea about how much i obsess about this stuff.. i taped together paper and marked out the 17.3" of ass-space that we're each allowed and tried to sit on just that area and just freaked myself out even more realizing my ass is still wider than that lol. Imagine this.. the seats are an inch longer than my keyboard.

Phoenixfire · 01-26-2009, 01:23 PM

Hm...I guess I'm the exception here

I had a helluva time fitting into the seats when I was over 225. I'm 5'8", not quite as tall as you, but I couldn't do it. The ex and I flew from California to Hawaii and sat next to each other. It was a looooong flight. I weighed 225 and he was about 260. I hope you can do it though!

Phoenixfire · 01-26-2009, 01:32 PM

Wanted to add that I had the best luck by sitting next to the window. That way I could cram myself against the window and not affect the person next to me so much. It was horrible on the smaller planes, the ones with just two seats on each side of the aisle.

You could try my old standby, I'd go into the back galley and tell them the truth: I had a horrible backache from sitting, and they'd let me sit on the rear jumpseat.

niseyweesee · 01-26-2009, 02:29 PM

I can't wait til I am off the Southwest FAT LIST!!! I was flying a couple years ago to Reno from San Diego and they made me buy an extra seat!!! They said that it's not fair if I squish someone next to me!!! I did buy one, but just to let you know if EVERY seat is not full or if a person who wants to ride a FULL plane wants to buy your seat you do get reimbursed for it...it just takes FOREVER to get your money back!!!