I'm embarrassed because this is such a pathetic NSV, but I figured if anyone would understand, it would be someone on this forum.
I went to my family doctor yesterday for weigh-in and blood pressure check, and the doctor put the cuff on me. I immediately told him he put the regular cuff on by mistake, not the "fat" cuff he always has to use. But he said - I think this one fits now - and it did!
Still a long long way to go, but this felt kind of good.