Won a trip to Vegas - Scared because have never flown

[*susan* 1,709]

Ok, so hubby calls me yesterday all excited because he has won an all expense paid trip from work in the 3rd week of April. It includes aifare, hotel, meals and spending money for 3 days in Vegas. We are pretty excited as we have never been to Vegas and were just saying we could really use a mini vacation with just the two of us.

Here is the problem. Being as we live in Florida, and Vegas is a bit of haul for us, my hubby says it simply would not make sense for us to drive all the way there for a 3 day trip, especially when airfare is included. So, I am officially terrified because I have never been on a plane before and the idea instills pure terror for me.

Are any of you afraid of flying? How do you cope? I was thinking mass quantities of alcohol or something, lol. Seriously though, any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have one other question that I am stressing over. I have read other people talk about flying and belt extenders. I am so scared of the embarassment and humiliation of possibly needing one. At 5' 4", 240 pounds, do you think I will need one, or do you think I will be ok? If I do need one, are they discreet about it?

Thanks for your input.

[K@t 38]

Hey Susan,

Congrats on the trip. I fly all the time. I fly to portugal or from portugal at least once a year and its a 12 hour flight each way. I flew to Teas 2 weekends ago. I am 5'5 and 258 and I did not need a belt extender on American Airlines. It depends on the carrier you are going on but I doubt you will need one. I do preffer the outside seat because its more arm room. I would seriously not stress out about it, it's relativly painless. Bring a book or something to keep you occupied. I'm not sure drinking is the best solution it may cause nausea depending on how your movement tolerance is. If any thing I would just bring a sleeping pill. On my 12 hour flight to portugal its an overnight flight so i take a few tylonal pm or something like that. Good luck with your vacation! I expect to see photos!

[WestCoastFatGuy 3]

Ok, so hubby calls me yesterday all excited because he has won an all expense paid trip from work in the 3rd week of April. It includes aifare, hotel, meals and spending money for 3 days in Vegas. We are pretty excited as we have never been to Vegas and were just saying we could really use a mini vacation with just the two of us.

Here is the problem. Being as we live in Florida, and Vegas is a bit of haul for us, my hubby says it simply would not make sense for us to drive all the way there for a 3 day trip, especially when airfare is included. So, I am officially terrified because I have never been on a plane before and the idea instills pure terror for me.

Are any of you afraid of flying? How do you cope? I was thinking mass quantities of alcohol or something, lol. Seriously though, any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have one other question that I am stressing over. I have read other people talk about flying and belt extenders. I am so scared of the embarassment and humiliation of possibly needing one. At 5' 4", 240 pounds, do you think I will need one, or do you think I will be ok? If I do need one, are they discreet about it?

Thanks for your input.

I completely understand your concern but am happy to put your greatest fears to rest. I fly all the time for work and becaming increasingly fearful as my waist expanded and the seatbelts got tighter and tighter. I had actually gotten to the point of reclining my seat back slightly so that I could suck-in and force my seatbelt to fasten. I would then have to reach back with my left hand while I simultaneously used my right hand to engage the seat reclining lever. Finally, taking a deep breath and blowing it all out... I would yank the seat in one great heave to its upright position. In doing so, the fastened seatbelt would dig sharply into my thights and compress mightily. I was in mortal fear on long flights that I was cutting off the circulation to my legs enough that I would end up with deep vein thrombosis.

I eventually was forced to face the inevitable when I boarded a plane that had seatbelts that were shorter than normal. It was fully 6 inches too short for me to fasten! I was distraught! I swear to God that if there was any way at all that I could have not made the trip and not have lost my client as a result that I would have de-planed and rescheduled my trip.

Using every ounce of courage I could muster I , red-faced, asked my business partner who was flying with me and in the aisle seat if he could quietly ask the flight attendant for an extension. My heart was in my mouth as I saw the FA heading down the aisle toward us and I stopped breathing when she bent down to hear him as he asked for the belt in a low voice close to a whisper. When she looked over and made eye contact with me I wanted to DIE!

Much to my relief, she was purely professional and completely empathetic. She nodded slightly, almost imperceptively, then turned around and retrieved an extender from the overhead bin several seats ahead of us. She palmed it and discreetly passed it to me. She later came by and smiled warmly when I mouthed "thank you" to her. She was the best!

I've lost enough weight now so that I no longer have to use the extender, but I did end up asking for one at least 30 times or more before I reached this point. Each and every time the flight attendants were extremely courteous and thoughtful. I'll never forget their kindness to me for as long as I live. They made each potentially dreadful situation a complete "non-event."

I'm sure that you will experience the same.

I hope this helps to ease your fears and that you have a wonderful time on your trip!

[*susan* 1,709]

Thanks for making me feel better about the belt extenders. I am truly hoping I won't need one, but I feel so much better knowing if I do they will be discreet about it.

Kat, maybe I can just take a couple of those sleeping pills an hour or so before the flight and have my hubby wheel me onto the plane. Then, maybe I won't wake up until we are in Vegas and will have missed the whole terrifying experience!

[mamato3 1]

I was just wondering if your fear is more about actual flying, or the whole seatbelt thing? If it is more about flying, maybe talk with your doctor if you are really that nervous and he/she could give you something to settle your nerves? If it is more about the seatbelt thing... I am 5'4" and my highest weight was 262 lbs and I was able to wear the seat belt on airplanes no problem. I have flown numerous airlines and some are more snug then others, but I have always fit. OH, I also carry ALOT of weight around my waist where the seat belt sits. I think it will fit you fine :shades_smile: Have a blast in Vegas! It is SO MUCH FUN!!!

[*susan* 1,709]

It is definitely a fear of flying. Even in my smaller years when a travel opportunity arose, I always found a way to drive instead of fly. I have never been on a plane and am really, really nervous about it. Thankfully my first time I will have my husband with me. He is wonderfully supportive and I know he will do everything he can to make it more comfortable for me.

I can't wait for the Vegas part, it is just the getting and leaving there parts that I am dreading.

[Oregondaisy 2,019]

Can you get a Xanex from your doctor? I know a lot of people who have a fear of flying and can't do without a tranquilizer.

I should probably tell you that flying screws up your band. I don't know what it is, but the altitude tightens the band. I just got back from a trip to see my dad in Arizona. It's 2 hour flight. The first night, I couldn't even sleep. I had major heartburn and had to sleep sitting up.

Be careful with what you eat for your first couple of meals after you land. Go with soft foods.

Last year, I didn't know this, and got a Wendi's chili in between flights and threw it all up in the garbage can. Not pretty.

[Wheetsin 714]

Flying doesn't bother me, I'd be much more freaked over the idea of having to drive it. Or of having to go to Vegas. BUT, I do a lot of work travel, including travel with people who are terrified of flying.

Easiest solution -- call your doctor, explain the sitatuation, and ask for some valium or something else to help you relax. In Vegas you will be in a taxi or walking, so no worries about being able to drive.

[heartfire 4]

Okay, here I go.

My very first flight ever was a mere 2 1/2 years ago. You'll note on my side-bar that I am 39 years old. I hate the unknown. My very first train ride when I was 21, I was so nervous I almost threw up. Didn't last long once I got into the experience of the trip. I love trains and want to do more train trips.

Anyway, I was flying from Sacramento to Denver for my uncle's wedding. Thank GOD I went with my mom, who flies all the time for work as all I did was follow her through the whole airport stuff. One thing I'm glad I didn't know about before-hand is that Denver is almost one of the worst airports to fly in and out of because of the turbulence. The wind blows constantly. You know what? It was okay! I LOVE to fly! Good thing because we had to fly home again! That, so far, has been my only experience with flying. I'm hoping to be able to fly up to Seattle in May for a cousin's wedding though. Again, I'll be flying out of Sacramento with my mom and on this trip I'll have my almost 2 yr old daughter with me.

I used to freak when my DH would talk about going to Disneyworld some day. I told him we'd need extra time on either side of the trip for driving 'cause no way was I flying. I don't tell him that anymore. I'm game for a flight anywhere, anytime!

Really, you will be fine. Look for the adventure of it. It really helps that you aren't going by yourself. That's always a huge plus for me when doing something for the first time. Like I said above, I hate the unknown. I like as much detail ahead of time as possible.

Try focusing on the trip itself and not so much the flight part of it. That will help your stress levels. Get online and start checking out Vegas and the area. Might think about renting a car for a day or two and going to Hoover Damn one day and Red Rock Canyon another day. We did those and it was great. Sometimes it gets old spending all of your time in the casinos unless that's what you want to be as your focus of the trip. Check out this website: Las Vegas - Official Las Vegas Tourism Web Site

As for the possible inflating of the band during the flight. I'd check with my doctor about that. Maybe ask him for a slight de-fill? Don't know as I'm not banded but it's a thought.

Oh and as far as the seatbelt, I really think you'll be okay. I weighed about 200 on that trip and I have huge hips. I had plenty of room. I'm 5'3" and my mom who's shorter than I am weighed almost 270 before her GBS and she never had to get an extender.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!

[Oregondaisy 2,019]

Wheetin, does flying mess up your band? Have you noticed any difference with your first few meals after flying?

I thought it was just me, but I have talked to others that say the same thing.

I hate flying. Not because I'm afraid of it. I just think it's the most boring thing in the world. I am not one that likes to sit still for hours on end. I have only flown first class once. Now that would be a lot better.

There is so much more leg room.

[Angie4b1g 1]

I absolutely HATE flying, and every plane I'm on i just KNOW is going down. Every shake or rattle, and I'm preparing for my death. I really have no advice, though. I usually just white knuckle it through, and try to avoid ones that are longer than 3 hours, that seems to be my limit.

Good luck, Vegas is definitely worth the trip!

You might even find it not as scary as you thought! I seem to get MORE freaked out the older i get, no idea why. I've flown a bunch of times, you'd think I'd get over it. lol

[Wheetsin 714]

Wheetin, does flying mess up your band? Have you noticed any difference with your first few meals after flying?

Sometimes, but not always. So far I can't really make any connections. I can fly somewhere 10 times, and maybe 6 or 7 of them I'm really really tight. Sometimes it begins while in the air, sometimes it begins a day or two after landing. I used to think it was destination. I do a lot of travel to Florida, so maybe the humidity, but then I'd think it would be more consistent. *shrug* Chicago is another common destination for me. Of the last 10 times I've been, maybe 4 I've had trouble. Once started during drink service en route - I could barely get my apple juice down. But I was ok a day after landing. It really makes no sense.

[lessnless 1]

I have absolutely no fear of flying. I had a beau in my late teens who owned his own plane, and we would take off for the horizon at a moment's notice. The first time, I was apprehensive (it was a SMALL plane), and here's what he told me:

Picture the salt flats--you know, where they do the land speed tests at 100s of mph. Imagine you're lying all alone in the middle of that perfectly flat, miles-wide, white expanse. Now imagine you're afraid to fall asleep because you might roll over and hit something.

He caught me off guard with that, and I burst out laughing. Never been afraid since, and I've flow through some BAD turbulence. I just stick my hands up and enjoy the miles-high roller-coaster.

[VegasGrace 1]

Hey, hey, hey! Good for you! So exciting!

Benadryl, works like a charm.

I didn't read if you were banded or not but if you are....

and you have restriction....

don't eat or drink anything during the flight.

I've used several barfbags each leg when I fly...can't figure it out.

Last adjustment I asked my doc and he said the airpressure causes greater restriction.

So eat during your layovers.

[Pix 4]

Well my advice from someone who has flown tons, just try (key word) to relax and enjoy it. If you are still freaking about flying them talk to your doctor about sine anti anxiety pills for the flight. Might help you sit back and just enjoy.

Bring a good book, or cross word to keep you well occupied.