Size 26 travel agent who weighed 24 stone is unrecognisable after losing half her body weight because she couldn’t fit into an aeroplane seat
AN OBESE travel agent lost half of her body weight after becoming too big to fit in standard aeroplane seats.
Doina Nicutescu - who reached a size 26 and was forced to spend £17,000 to sit in roomier business class - has lost 12st and eight dress sizes.
The 39-year-old from Sydney in Australia has recalled how her 24st size made flying a "complete nightmare".
By 2013, Doina had become "too big" to fit comfortably into economy class seats.
“Even just flying on an aeroplane is a totally different experience when you’re obese," she said.
"The seats in economy are so small, and you’re spilling out everywhere and the arm rests could never be properly lowered between us.
“I could feel other passengers getting annoyed when I’d be seated next to them.
"One time, I was walking down the aisle to use the restroom and heard one person laugh and say, ‘I doubt she will even fit in there’.
“The regular seatbelts never fit around me, so I’d always have to ask for an extender.
"Usually the flight attendants were discreet, but one time a woman yelled out ‘here’s your seatbelt!’ and held it up for everyone to see as it unravelled.
"I was so embarrassed and decided to just take it with me when I left the plane, so I’d never have to ask for it again."
To fulfil her love of travelling, Doina decided to shell out £16,900 over four years on more spacious business class seats.
When she'd visit summer holiday destinations, like Tahiti, Thailand, the Greek Islands, Croatia and Hawaii, she'd always remain fully clothed on the beach and never packed a swimming costume.
Doina believes a mixture of genetics, inactivity and poor diet saw her weight grow over the years.
In 2016, the travel agent decided enough was enough - having had no long-term success with diets - and sought the help of a doctor who recommended she undergo gastric sleeve surgery.
Doina managed to lose an incredible 9st 6lbs in the first year, and 2st 7lbs the year after.
Following the weight loss - which saw her drop eight dress sizes in two years - she was left with lots of loose skin.
But after undergoing a lower body lift, an arm lift, a breast lift, inner thigh lift and liposuction she finally feels happy with her body.
As a size 10 weighing 12st she feels more confident than ever as a she travels the world.
"If I ever fly business these days, it is purely as a treat rather than a necessity," she revealed.
“Since losing the weight, I’ve been to Hong Kong, Fiji, the Caribbean, Thailand, Malta, Portugal, Miami and Dubai.
“I’ve done things I could never do before, like swimming in a bikini, going snorkelling and riding a camel. It’s been amazing."
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