Lovechunks

There is a difference between lying and not talking about it. I told only a very select few and to the others I said nothing. I agree about having to stealth with everyone else's opinion as well as those who then put you under the microscope. I have known many who used the gallbladder story then later said they just decided change their eating habits...stay away from the "complications" line cuz nosey people want to know the details. Keep it simple.
But I do like the 'anal fissure' hemorrhoid story line... That's precious!

I only told my girlfriend, two very close friends, and my mom.
I think there are really two issues.
1) What do you tell people because you are going to be out of work for a while?
2) What do you tell people afterward after you lose a lot of weight?
If possible, you should avoid telling people a lie that you might have to later admit to telling. Instead it will be easier and keep your options open if you tell people an incomplete truth.
At work you shouldn't have to tell HR anything other than you need the time off for medical treatment or surgery. Your supervisor may be more curious, but you should just say that you are having surgery and if your supervisor pushes for what kind of surgery, just say abdominal surgery, but that you don't want to talk about it. Or, if you have lots of vacation time stored up, you could just take vacation time and if anyone asks just tell them that you aren't going anywhere, but just going to get caught up on things around the house. Depending on how important it is to you to keep this under the radar, taking vacation time will result in less chance of people finding out.
Once you are back at work, I would suggest drinking lots of Water and Protein shakes in the most visible way you can. If there is a break room, drink some of them there instead of just at your desk. I suggest that you go at least a month or two and not eat anything at work, just drink Protein Shakes. You want to draw a little attention to the Protein Shakes, but not too much. If someone asks you if you are dieting tell them you are on a diet like the Slimfast diet where you drink Protein shakes a few times a day and eat a small meal in the evening. If you want to keep this under the radar you do not want to be eating pureed food at work. Once you are back to eating normal foods you can eat at work if you want to, but I would keep this as out of sight as possible so as not to draw undue attention to yourself.
Just the other day, at the nine week post surgical mark did someone at my work noticed that I had lost weight. It was when I had just reached the 65 pound mark that someone noticed. Even though you might think people would notice sooner, they don't usually. I did have a few people at the gym notice at about the four week post surgical mark, but at the gym I wear t-shirts which let people see the outline of my abdominal area in a more detailed fashion.
Start walking at lunch and invite other people to join you.
Once people start noticing your weight loss, you can simply accept their compliments and thank them and try not to become the topic of conversation too much. Do not tell people how much weight you have lost if you can avoid it. They probably don't know what you weighed before, so when you have lost 60 pounds and someone notices, if they ask how much you can tell them I haven't weighed recently, but I think I've lost more than 20 pounds. People simply don't know what you weighed before and they don't know what you weigh now. If they ask more about your secret to losing so much weight then just tell them that you are watching what you eat and that you are exercising. Ask them if they want to go walking with you at lunch.< /p>
As you lose weight, don't suddenly start wearing a whole new wardrobe. Even if you go out and buy all new clothes, you can start wearing one new thing per week, and retire one of your old ones per week. Also, go to a thrift shop and find some used clothing in your new size, because when you wear something that's used, but "new to you" people will be less likely to notice it than if you are wearing all new clothes. You want to wear clothing that is moderately loose. If you wear very loose clothing it makes you look like you are flopping around in your clothes and it will make people think you have lost more weight. On the other hand if you wear things that are too form fitting it shows your new smaller size too much.
Once you get several months down the road, you need to come back on here and post this same question from the view that you are several months post op and that you have kept it a secret thus far and you want to continue to do so to get some more tips.

Personally, when I had my lapband surgery I made up excuses to friends and coworkers. I told them I had a come to Jesus meeting over my vacation to start eating smaller meals (mostly Protein drinks) and start moving more. Fine and dandy until 8 weeks later I get REALLY sick.
I became septic because of a nick of my liver during surgery and almost died. One lie became a million until I wasn't sure who knew what.
Needless to say, I won't be broadcasting it but if asked I will definitely tell them what I'm doing. Plus I just didn't feel good about myself making all kinds of crap up. What if I could help someone who is also obese out with the truth than making them feel like more of a failure because they can't be the type that can diet and exercise the weight away.
Don't know if I'm making any sense but just the way I'm going to deal with it. To each their own.

You may be worrying for no reason. Before the surgery I stressed about what I would tell people (not including family) because I didnt want everyone to know. I got my sleeve on a Friday and went back to work on Monday. It has been seven weeks and I have lost 32 lbs. No one has any idea I did anything. I thought oh the weight is going to melt off of me and I will be so skinny people will have questions. In real life I still wear the same size clothes and no one that doesnt know I had the surgery knows that I have lost a pound. In the interim, I have started saying that I am on a diet, and not consuming alcohol (in public) so that in the event I do start to have the lbs melt off of me, it will make sense.

Do what is right for you and know you'll have support here.

I had to tell the ppl I work with. I'm a LPN so it'll effect my work. So far everyone has been encouraging. Of course I've never been one who cares about other ppl's opinions. But like I said everyone from my bosses to other staff is excited with me.

I think I may make that my motto. It'll keep me from eating ever again!

Well I look like I am about 9 mos . I am approved just trying to work out the dates.

I dunno....when I ever I use one it turns dark purple almost immediately at 6.5 weeks out. If you're going through ketogenisis, you'll have certain products as a byproduct. I'm sure you understand this as a scientist. Nothing changes over time in terms of the byproducts released in urine...and you can certainly tell in your breath too. In fact, they are now encouraging alzheimer's patients to maintain a ketogenic diet because it seems to help delay the progression of the disease....so it might be good for your brain too!

". Might I suggest ................... eating glutton free foods. " sorry, I had to chuckle at that

I will be using Dr Lana Nelson in Norman, also. She did my lapband several years ago and I love her!

I will be using Dr Lana Nelson in Norman, also. She did my lapband several years ago and I love her!

Anyone younger can't truly appreciate how hard it is to lose weight at my age. And I don't think of myself as being all that old--just a little tired and out of shape:)