Chylyn7

So you know my bias - I did not even tell my own mother for over three months that I had surgery. My dad still does not know at one year out. My child did not find out except by reading my diet paperwork when i was out of town which was left out by me accidentally.
This decision was so deeply personal to me. My husband did not find out about my desire for WLS until the day before consult and I sought out counseling prior to consult to ensure my dedication to this path. I paid for WLS here in the US, caught by not being medically obese enough to have surgery paid for by insurance yet doomed to slowly gain weight in oncoming years.
So - why did I only tell my husband and two dear friends? Because this was all about me. Did my decision affect others, yes but indirectly. Am I ashamed I needed help? Somewhat.
Today when a friend annouces to a store clerk...she has lost 80#'s this last year or to TSA agents who see my DL picture and do a double take - I confess about WLS. To those at work, church, neighbors, family members? No, I say I was under doctors care while drastically reducing my intake. I do not minimize the diet or work faced to lose weight, regardless of surgery or not.
I was not and am not ready to face the rawness of the emotions which are so transparent to those who know me well. To acquaintences, YEAH VSG surgery. I scream YES for those who need WLS. Putting on my mask of bravado is easy for stranger so yes, I open up easily to others of no consequence in my life or those who have had a history with me. My weight really bothered me more than I admitted to anyone, enven myself. But the choice is yours always on surgery or another diet to lose weight.
WLS is not shameful, just emotional and personal.
Hugs on your choice. I have no regrets.
And as my surgeon says - It takes courage to show who you really are.

Every person handles this conundrum differently. I definitely struggled with some feelings of shame myself. I felt that I had failed because I wasn't able to do this "myself". I have some perfectionist issues and had to make peace with that. Going through this the last 8 months and realizing that success takes a lot of hard work and that this is no magic bullet has helped me, too.
As for others, there will be naysayers and negative people. After a complication-free surgery I decided not to hide how I was losing weight. I felt I owed it to those who were obese, like I was, to not lie. I learned about the VSG because someone else was honest about their weight loss so it was almost a paying forward issue with me. I have not encountered anyone who is openly negative but I am sure there are have been comments I didn't hear.
I think the key is to make peace with your decision, what you are comfortable sharing and then live your life as you see fit paying no attention to those willing to rain on your parade.
Best of Luck-
Amanda

So, I am of course hiding that I will be having my VSG in December (hopefully..fingers crossed). My mom knows, of course my husband and best friend know, other than that, no one else. I have brought it up to others and they just act shocked and appauled. What is the deal with being ashamed of this? I feel like people look at it like we are taking the "lazy way or easy way out". I am SO EXCITED to have this surgery and move on with my life. I want others to be excited too, but instead it is looked down on and ridiculed. Any others going thru this? How are you dealing, or are you in hiding with it too? All of a sudden I will be losing all this weight...will I have to BS and just owe it all to " diet excersise and lots of water!" ? Or do I say "yes, I had WLS and I am proud of it!" ?

I would hardly call once a week an addiction? So someone who has a glass of wine or a beer once a week is addicted? Your ignorance and prejudice about Marijuana is showing....

Hummm....using pot once a week sounds kind of frequent to me. But then I never smoke pot....why would you want to have surgery to help with an eating addiction and then continue another addiction that is going to make you want to eat?