QuilterGal

Having WLS is such a personal thing for me, with so many emotions and fears involved. My husband and PCP have been my biggest supporters as I've considered surgery, and they are the only ones who know I am moving forward with it. At some point, people will start to figure out that something is "up" -- I'll be taking time off from work and I'll be losing a lot of weight. What are everyone's plans for how to discuss or not discuss your WLS with family, friends, and coworkers? I am not interested in having any discussions about this with or being judged by anyone. It is none of their business. But I suspect it will come up at some point. What are your thoughts on how to respond?

I spoke to my husband about the "cheating" reaction that some people are accused of who have WLS. He was stunned and angry that anyone would consider a major surgery to be a workaround for weight loss. I think we're not going to say anything to anyone with the exception of possibly only my parents.

I have a Bento Box.

I am proud of my decision. This is not about pride. It's about privacy. I am a very private person and I'm tired of people offering unsolicited opinions about my weight and body. I find it exceedingly rude, and I suspect the changes that will come following WLS will result in additional queries.

So very sorry you are not getting support from your PCP. My experience has been the opposite. My PCP knows I've been considering WLS for years. I went through a WLS program and was at the point of scheduling the lap band surgery four years ago, but chickened out. I've gained a lot of weight in the last year after going on a new prescription. At my recent physical, we talked through my fears and I told her I was considering WLS again -- the gastric sleeve, which wasn't covered by my insurance four years ago. As I was leaving, I told her I'd let her know if I needed a referral for the bariatric center. She said, "Oh, I already sent it in while we were talking. I want you to have this surgery. It will change your life for the better."