I just wanted to share some positivity with everyone, especially those going through the hard phases of pre and post surgery right now, or those that are in the buyers remorse phase. I had my gastric sleeve done in July, I have since lost 80 lbs and today was my first time post surgery flying on an airplane. I used to be so embarrassed that the seatbelts didn’t fit me I would put a jacket over my waist so the flight attendants wouldn’t see my seatbelt couldn’t buckle because I was too embarrassed to ask for an extender. But today, just about 3 months post surgery, I am able to buckle and fasten the airplane seat belt. This was a huge win for me & I just had to share :)
Please try your best to stay positive and get through the hard phases, I promise it will be so worth it!

In a semi related and semi non scale victory....I am going on vacation this week so I have been packing. I usually try to get as much in my checked luggage as possible, right up to my 50 pounds allowed. I stuffed my bag full and tried to weight in on the scale but could not get it balanced enough. I decided to step on the scale, weight myself then pick up the bag and weigh again to be able to get the bags weight. I was incredibly awe struck when I realized that the combined weight of the bag and me were much less than the weight of just me 2 months ago! Yes, scale, but not really in the traditional sense so I call it a non scale victory.

Congratulations! OMG I can't wait for this. I am one month post-op and down 30 lbs... I am going to Cabo for a wedding in April and I'm so excited to fly now that I can fit! I can't remember the last time I flew comfortably, especially since I always sit next to my husband or my son, both of whom are very broad. I might cry when I'm able to fasten the seatbelt and don't have to worry about being in the way of other passengers.

My goal is to be down 100 lbs. by Cabo!

3 hours ago, Tony B - NJ said:

In a semi related and semi non scale victory....I am going on vacation this week so I have been packing. I usually try to get as much in my checked luggage as possible, right up to my 50 pounds allowed. I stuffed my bag full and tried to weight in on the scale but could not get it balanced enough. I decided to step on the scale, weight myself then pick up the bag and weigh again to be able to get the bags weight. I was incredibly awe struck when I realized that the combined weight of the bag and me were much less than the weight of just me 2 months ago! Yes, scale, but not really in the traditional sense so I call it a non scale victory.

Isn't that a wonderful NSV Enjoy your well earned vacation

This is one of my goals! I just haven't flown yet.

18 hours ago, mgigi said:

I used to be so embarrassed that the seatbelts didn’t fit me I would put a jacket over my waist so the flight attendants wouldn’t see my seatbelt couldn’t buckle because I was too embarrassed to ask for an extender.

I'm thrilled for you that you now fit the seatbelts. However, no one should ever be ashamed or embarrassed to request a seat-belt extender. Just tell the attendant as you get on the plane. It will be very discretely delivered to you. Flying without a seatbelt is very dangerous.

What a wonderful NSV!

On 10/28/2021 at 2:32 PM, Sunnyway said:

I'm thrilled for you that you now fit the seatbelts. However, no one should ever be ashamed or embarrassed to request a seat-belt extender. Just tell the attendant as you get on the plane. It will be very discretely delivered to you. Flying without a seatbelt is very dangerous.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that it is almost never delivered discreetly. Usually it's the FA calling up to the purser, "Can I get the extender for 17C?" at the top of their lungs so they can be heard over the din of people trying and failing to board efficiently.

I haven't flown since surgery (am tempted to take a quick trip to Phoenix or SF just to try) but am hoping that I don't need the extender when I do.

1 hour ago, vikingbeast said:

I'm sorry to have to tell you that it is almost never delivered discreetly. Usually it's the FA calling up to the purser, "Can I get the extender for 17C?" at the top of their lungs so they can be heard over the din of people trying and failing to board efficiently.

I haven't had that happen to me in over 20 years. It happened a couple of times back then but since then it's always been delivered to me discretely, rolled up and covered by the attendendant's hand as she/he passes it to me. It's important to tell the attendant at the door upon entering. Sometimes they can hand you one just then. Otherwise it will be delivered to your seat before they come around to make sure all belts are fastened.

I've flown Delta, American, United, Southwest, and international flights with no issues over getting an extender discretely. Once on Royal Air Moroc I was bumped into Business Class (from my fully occupied three-across row} because they couldn't find one for me. (Score!)

6 hours ago, Sunnyway said:

I haven't had that happen to me in over 20 years. It happened a couple of times back then but since then it's always been delivered to me discretely, rolled up and covered by the attendendant's hand as she/he passes it to me. It's important to tell the attendant at the door upon entering. Sometimes they can hand you one just then. Otherwise it will be delivered to your seat before they come around to make sure all belts are fastened.

I've flown Delta, American, United, Southwest, and international flights with no issues over getting an extender discretely. Once on Royal Air Moroc I was bumped into Business Class (from my fully occupied three-across row} because they couldn't find one for me. (Score!)

You have been very lucky... I would say that probably 6 of 10 times there was no attempt to be discreet for me. And I used to fly quite a lot. Sitting up front is the best, though!

I eventually bought my own, which worked on every airline except JSX, because their seatbelts are different. One of the more humiliating purchases I've ever made.

Edited October 30, 20214 yr by vikingbeast

I’m almost annoyed I have nowhere to go via plane because the humiliation of not fitting in a plane seat was one of my many reasons to get this surgery. I could always buckle but never keep my butt anywhere near fitting in the seat. I could not have flown by myself because I had to stress endlessly about taking up half my husband seat with my butt and hips overflow.

I always say these are the things that someone who has never been very obese would understand. Planes and their stupid seat size!

5 hours ago, blackcatsandbaddecisions said:

I’m almost annoyed I have nowhere to go via plane because the humiliation of not fitting in a plane seat was one of my many reasons to get this surgery. I could always buckle but never keep my butt anywhere near fitting in the seat. I could not have flown by myself because I had to stress endlessly about taking up half my husband seat with my butt and hips overflow.

I always say these are the things that someone who has never been very obese would understand. Planes and their stupid seat size!

Seriously, I keep trying to contrive a reason to fly somewhere! But a lot of places I could fly I'd need a rental car, and they're rarer than hen's teeth and more expensive than Fabergé eggs when you do find them. But it is on my list.

I got to check off one of my Purple Goals (my list of NSVs) yesterday—I had a business lunch and arrived second, and my lunch date had gotten a booth. Normally that would be a huge embarrassing thing because I couldn't have fit at all. Yesterday I just scootched right in there and actually had to lean forward over the table to eat what little I did eat.

On 10/28/2021 at 7:56 AM, Tony B - NJ said:

In a semi related and semi non scale victory....I am going on vacation this week so I have been packing. I usually try to get as much in my checked luggage as possible, right up to my 50 pounds allowed. I stuffed my bag full and tried to weight in on the scale but could not get it balanced enough. I decided to step on the scale, weight myself then pick up the bag and weigh again to be able to get the bags weight. I was incredibly awe struck when I realized that the combined weight of the bag and me were much less than the weight of just me 2 months ago! Yes, scale, but not really in the traditional sense so I call it a non scale victory.

This was the visualization that shocked me realizing how much weight I was carrying around.... ?

We all know how big and heavy those 50 lbs suitcases are, when traveling... Well, at some point - while packing for a vacation - I realized I was carrying 4, yes F O U R !!! of those suitcases around on me, at all times. ???

Boy, does it feel good NOW, to have put down those four bags and stroll around with my hands in my pockets! ??

15 minutes ago, dms75 said:

This was the visualization that shocked me realizing how much weight I was carrying around.... ?

We all know how big and heavy those 50 lbs suitcases are, when traveling... Well, at some point - while packing for a vacation - I realized I was carrying 4, yes F O U R !!! of those suitcases around on me, at all times. ???

Boy, does it feel good NOW, to have put down those four bags and stroll around with my hands in my pockets! ??

My coach wants me to get a weight vest, load it up to where I was when I started, and try to run even just 400 m. I'm skeert.

The couple of times I had to get an extender (the seats on some planes were a bit smaller than normal, but they seem to have phased those out thankfully), they were discreetly handed to me rolled up. I'm sorry the opposite happened for you Viking, how mortifying! (And rubbish customer service!)

I'm flying interstate for Christmas so I'm looking forward to seeing how much difference there is from last time I flew. Hopefully I can just sit in the seat and fasten it, instead of bracing my foot against the seat base in front, and pushing backwards with all my might into my seat cushions and holding my breath the get the infernal contraption in!

On 11/3/2021 at 4:22 PM, vikingbeast said:

Seriously, I keep trying to contrive a reason to fly somewhere! But a lot of places I could fly I'd need a rental car, and they're rarer than hen's teeth and more expensive than Fabergé eggs when you do find them. But it is on my list.

I got to check off one of my Purple Goals (my list of NSVs) yesterday—I had a business lunch and arrived second, and my lunch date had gotten a booth. Normally that would be a huge embarrassing thing because I couldn't have fit at all. Yesterday I just scootched right in there and actually had to lean forward over the table to eat what little I did eat.

I just took my family to Miami and we rented a car no problem. They had plenty in fact.