Need a little encouragement & support

Okay! Im in need of a little encouragement and support from you! I know thats asking a lot huh?? Well... My grandmother turns 99 on Feb 8th.. I just bought a plane ticket to fly out to spend her birthday with her. It will be a suprise- only my mom knows that Im coming.. We are going to have a small party for her the day I arrive.. She is going to love it!! Now comes the encouragement and support part.. I have to FLY!! I used to love to fly when I was smaller.. So its not a fear of flying at all.. Its those damn seats!! I think they make them so small just to watch the larger people struggle to get into them and then suffer the whole flight.. My last flying experience was NOT GOOD.. The seat belt wouldnt fit around me.. When I went to ask for an extention the lady made a HUGE deal about it.. I was embarressed and humilated.. The flight attendant yelled to the other lady that "WE HAVE YET ANOTHER ONE THAT NEEDS AN EXTENTION FOR THE SEATBELT!!" why she couldnt just walk over and talk to the women I dont know.. But she felt it okay to yell it from one end of the plane to the other.. On the return flight I wasnt going to make myself go through that again so I just tucked the belt part way across me and didnt even bother to ask for the extention.. I figured as tight of a fit as it was I wasnt going to just pop out of the seat anyways.. The whole experience was bad enough I wrote the airline and complained about it. I was called by a rep who went through the experience with both me and my husband- I got a free round trip ticket out of it all. Thats how Im making this trip! Soooo... will I fit into a seat now?? Im at 225.. I wear an 18 pants... I really dont feel like going through the whole extention scene again.. Does anyone know if I will fit into the seatbelt now?? Ive lost over 100lbs since that last flight but its still fresh in my head so Im nervous about it. Im really hoping that I not only fit but that it wont be such a tight fit this time.. Any words of support, encouragement, or info would be great!! Thanks- Amber

First, BIG HUGS for going through that. Now, reassurances. You WILL fit in that seat. I think you're going to be overjoyed. I fit in those seats weighing more than you and wearing a size 22 in jeans. You're going to fit JUST FINE. Breathe, breathe, breathe.... and exhale. Good. Now repeat. Brandy

Thanks so much Brandy! After that last flight I promised myself I wouldnt ever fly again.. But I have to fly again.. I just cant quite get over the whole thing yet. Reality hasnt set in that Im 100+lbs lighter now.. I still see myself as 300+lbs.. I will make sure to post when I get home from the visit to let everyone know how the flight went.. Amber

When you sit down and you fit in the seat, its okay to celebrate. Just try not to rip off the toupe of the guy sitting next to you and dance around with it stuck to your butt like a bunny tail. I think the airlines frown on that sort of behavior.

Brandy, It is so funny to me that you should say this as it was exactly my internal reaction to fitting into an airline seat for the first time! Lori 384/263/168

OK NOW YOU KNOW YOU WILL FIT IN THE SEAT. BUT MAKE SURE YOU BRING SOMETHING TO DRINK AND MAYBE A SNACK . THE LAST TIME MY DAD FLEW THEY DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING WITHOUT SUGAR BUT DIET SODA. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR DOC'S NUMBER WITH YOU JUST IN CASE YOU NEED IT. AND BEST OF ALL ENJOY YOUR SURPRISE TO YOUR GRANDMA.... TELL HER WE ALL SAID OUR LOVE AND A SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY. PRISCILLA

Amber First I want to say YOU GO GIRL!!!! It is about time we stand up for ourselves!!!! I am so tired of the public that seems to think we should be hiding somewhere out of anyones site!!! You shouldnt have any problems at all in the seats of the airplane. Good luck sweetie. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!! Love Melissa

Okay I remember you saying you have lost. So I bet you will fit in those seats.

Hi Amber, Here is all the encourgement you need. My last flight before surgery I could not fit in the seat or in the seat belt. The tray table did not come down because I was to big. But.....On Dec 9th I flew to GA to see Candy and I am 245lbs and size 18. I fit just fine!!!!! Even the tray table came all the way down and I just put a cup of water on it and looked at it just because I could. It is the small WOW moments that only a SMO would understand, but I just stared at the cup on that tray like it was gonna do tricks. Relax, and enjoy your flight. You have nothing to worry about. Hugs, Soos

Soos, Thank you so much! Part of me realizes that Im smaller and that I should fit into the seat, but then theres that "fat girl" inside me who still doesnt believe it. After the last flight Im just so nervous! Im a bit shy in public and dont want a repeat of the horrors! If that tray will come down and still leave me room to breathe I will jump up and do the little snoopy dance!!! I swear I will!! So, if you hear on the news that they removed a crazed women from a flight in Jacksonville, FL- You know the tray came down without a problem!! Amber