I flew 100+ flights a year for 25 years, hauling my 400#plus body all over the world doing my work. I hated the flying and most of all I hated taking more than my share of a limited seating area, and hated asking for seat belt extensions. I finally bought my own so I did not have to ask for them, and then they made using your own extension illegal...I was back to having to ask the flight attendant again, to the stares of all of those around me. When I retired and left the road four years ago, I was thrilled to not have to deal with the constant embarrassment.

This week, I flew from Grand Junction CO to Pittsburgh PA and back, four flights total. NO SEAT BELT EXTENSION NEEDED! I had gastric bypass in April, 100# down, BMI slipped under 40 finally, and I comfortably fit in the seat. Even though at 6'4" the person next to me knew they were sitting next to a great big guy, the arm rests were down, I did not "bulge" under the arm rest, and I did not inconvenience anyone. I still hate flying but what a change.... just getting around the airport was so much easier.

Congrats @VDB. I am still thrilled when I see how I fit in the world again and just how much easier everything is these days.

That is a NSV to shout from the rooftops! Congrats!

Congrats on a great victory! I am 9 weeks out from surgery and hoping to soon experience it!

Congratulations! This was one of my favorite NSVs!

Everytime I get in an airplane seat I am reminded of what it was like to ask for that damned extender.

Now, I strap that belt on and I have nearly a foot of extra!

Speaking of which, I have a flight to catch tomorrow morning. Going home from Minneapolis after having my 12 month check up post surgery!

Congratulations! THat is so awesome and feels so good!!!

S

Awesome news. I only absolutely needed it on certain occasions (freaking Delta and American), but for a period of time at 300+ it would always be offered, and I would proudly reject it even if it meant an arduous struggle to squeeze it until click (sounds like a weight loss tool onto itself). I've been on about five R/T flights since surgery (8 weeks out) and it looks like I have gotten the point where the flight attendant doesn't bother to ask. #NSV

Great job, I'm happy for you!

Congratulations! I understand why you are thrilled!

What a great victory!

I hit this particular NSV about a month ago, and I agree it was fabulous! My most exciting NSV yet!

That is definitely something I look forward to as well. I don't fly that much (maybe 8-10 times per year), but I'm ready to get rid of the seat belt extension.

However, you said something about it being illegal to use your own extension? I guess I never ask or get offered it because I always use my own and haven't heard anything from the flight attendants. I primarily fly Southwest (98% of the time) and JetBlue. At the moment I still use the Extra Seat Option on Southwest which is one thing I'm going to miss when I get "skinny". I really enjoy not having somebody sit next to me.

This was one of my happiest NSVs two months post banding. Congratulations!

What a great victory! I've abstained from flying since 2003 for that very reason. If I can't drive there, I just don't go. Unfortunately, my kids have never seen our families because of this. It's a 3 day car ride to the nearest family and a cross country to see the majority of them.

What a great victory! I've abstained from flying since 2003 for that very reason. If I can't drive there, I just don't go. Unfortunately, my kids have never seen our families because of this. It's a 3 day car ride to the nearest family and a cross country to see the majority of them.

The things we do to avoid difficult situations including missing out on so much of life. We turn a blind eye which is why we have so many great NSVs as we get back into the world. I for one, will never let this happen to me again. I lost years by being in pain and immobile. I wish I could get those years back but I know I can't. All I can do is try to make up for lost time.