Big Women On Airplanes!

[FlabbieAllie1978]

Roll Up people and help me with this! A good quality wine has gone to my head and given me the courage to ask out on here….
My wonderful daughter has been in a relationship for the past few years! But her partner lives away, a very long way away!! Never bothered me till now because they have travelled around without mummy!
Things are now at a point where my daughter wants me meet her partners family, also to get engaged, so they want ole me in person, over there! Now here’s the thang! I’m hugely overweight! The thought of flying fills me with dread! Sooooo much to take in! Squishing my flab into a plane seat, the obvious stares and panic from the other passengers as I waddle up the isle, getting to and using the bathroom which I will use a lot en route because stress overworks my bladder! It all freaks me out! I know I can buy two seats, use seatbelt extenders around my big tummy! Look, I’ve even watched online videos of other fat women, looks like an awful experience. I don’t want to be like poor Kate from the This Is Us flight scene on Netflix!
Having the engagement over here is not really possible because where they want to be is very special to them!!
Come on! Encouragement please!

Omg 100% try the pee pads at home first!

Never even though of wearing pads, I get nervous on flights and just wee lots so on an average 2-3 hour flight I'll do say 3-4 wees maybe more.

It's just nerves and wine.

I’m only 5ft 4, and weigh in at 29 stone. I will look at that site, trust me, I’ve looked at lots of comments, threads and sites on the net, but coming in here gets it from real people! Took some courage I can tell ya, with 🍷

A few pounds is better than nothing.

When are you planning to go? My lovely DD has booked us a city break together flying with BA (using Mum's Bank) after many years of going on cruises together. I'll be fine once I've faced the fear once.

Stress makes me pee. Sometimes I struggle to get to the toilet in time and letting go even before I’ve tucked my fupa into position. Imagine that on a flight 😮

@Seaside31 I can assure you, I’m absolutely not in denial about my size 😂

Im sorry you had an uncomfortable journey. It happens sometimes. Like when I was on a fully booked flight and ended up seated with a bunch of drunken arseholes harassing me for 6 hours. Far from my favourite experience. But it happens.

We have so much in common. Things which I hadn't really thought about before: 1) Thin clothing to remove bulk. 2) Hide extenders under a bit shawl or scarf. This also helps with the bulky clothing issue. 3) Wearvtrainers like Skechers or trekking sandals with velcro straps in case my feet & ankles swell up.

In all seriousness, maybe this could be the push to help op lose some of that weight so she can be comfortable going? Not get skinny or live off a big salad, just sort out her health a bit more. I agree it’s very tricky op. Anything you lose will help.

I'm not far off and I don't struggle on planes because of my shape. I'm mostly belly so I'm not much wider than an average person and I don't encroach on the seat next to me. I don't need a seatbelt extender because I can put the belt under my belly rather than around my waist. I think pear-shaped women with wide bums are worse off.

I prefer the window seat because I can lean against the side of the plane.

Edit: I forgot to say however that the toilets are a problem. I can fit in no problem but it's so claustrophobic and horrible. I don't drink for a few hours before a flight, or during, so I can wee at the airport and not on the flight.

When is the date?

At your size OP I would seriously consider surgery or asking the GP to go in the injections.

You’re not going to be skinny in just a few weeks but it’s obviously something you are self conscious of and I would be doing whatever you can to drop a few pounds, just to make you feel more confident about yourself.

March, so I haven’t got long! Soooooooo been putting it off. My DD gets upset when I say. I do it I’ll do it. 😞 but I don’t and shows me the beautiful dress she wants to wear! Guilt guilt guilt!!

It’s also really important to keep moving to stop blood clots

Yes, that too!

Could you do a short flight within the UK first, soon, so you can reassure yourself a bit and it won't all be so unknown? Just an hour or so, London to Liverpool and back kind of thing?

Window seat! Videos I’ve watched has put the fat girl in the middle or the isle!

Please do buy two seats: for your own comfort and that of others

I was injured when sitting next to my own relative on a plane (similar size to you), and it has caused ill feeling that remains for years, I’d have a lot less patience for a total stranger putting me through that, and you may find you are treated rudely on the plane if you don’t buy two seats as you WILL end up spreading onto the adjacent seat

I was trapped in an awkward position on a 5 hour flight - several weeks of back pain and hundreds of pounds on an osteopath. Not a slim person myself and fully aware of prejudice

This is a good moment to explore options to lose weight so you can be more comfortable on the flight & the trip

Sorry, but I'm still filing bruised ribs from sitting next to a larger person on a plane under bullshit that never happened.

Bruised ribs are fucking painful. There is no way someone would just sit there while their ribs were being crushed. You'd be up, walking around, stretching, etc for the majority of the flight. Also, do the seat arms not life up on planes any more? I used to fly regularly and I'm sure the arms lifted up.

OP, you will be uncomfortable, but flying is uncomfortable at any size. You will not hurt anyone. You will survive it and you will be glad you managed it. Book your flight and have fun.

This may sound absolutely bonkers as an option, but have you thought of going by boat? It would take longer, but might feel less stressful as an option.

I’m sorry if this sounds totally unhinged.

Trouble is, stress makes me pee! Even if I starve myself of water! I always make some!,😆

The problem with the aisle is that people of any size get brushed up against and knocked by people walking past, and that would irritate the hell out of me. But it would definitely be easier for you to get up and go to the toilet.

@FlabbieAllie1978 please get some good graduated compression stockings for flying, you need to keep hydrated for a long haul flight and wearing these will also help to reduce your risk of a deep vein thrombosis.

What did she do - beat you up?

You won't pee if you don't drink...! From someone with pathological phobia of toilets (long, boring story), a slightly dehydrated day to fly isn't going to kill you. Just drink plenty when you arrive. No liquids 3 hrs pre flight.

I saved Tesco reward points and turned them into Virgin airmails - we flew business class (or equivalent, not the ones with pods but the level down from that). It was fine - only two of us next to each other, plenty of legroom, nice wide seat, easy to get out and go to the loo.

If you travel with British Airways on most American flights, the back 3/4 rows at the sides are 2 seaters not in rows of 3 seats. You could call the assistance number and book in these seats. The window seat also has quite a bit of room at the side. Then you wouldn’t have the worry of anyone sitting next to you. Bonus you’d also be right near the loo!