Nikki Monroe

I needed a lot of help. I wasn't expecting it, and I'm so grateful I am staying with my mother. I couldn't sit on the couch without needing help getting up and down or awhile. On day 3, I slid onto the floor and the fire department had to come get me back up (my mom was tiny and I was in too much pain to do much because I tore some internal stitches). I even ended up having to trade beds with my mother because hers was higher with a headboard to help me! For a week, I could only sit on a high hard chair if I was by myself because I didn't know if I could get back up.
I seem to be NOT the norm, but hey, at least prepare to have someone assist you just in case you turn into a big sissy after surgery like I did

Hubby and I boarded the dogs so when he went back to work I didn't have to deal with them. I had surgery on Friday and he went back to work on Monday. I didn't need any help really but if I dropped something I wasn't supposed to bend over. I did fine on my own.

@@Nikki Monroe
Hi Nikki, I didn't need any help. I too preplanned as others. I had surgery on Wednesday and went back to work (desk job) on Monday.

Mines July the 28 and im getting sleeve

Hey Nikki Monroe when is your surgery are u getting the sleeve to

I'm arranging for help the first week, just in case. I'm also having someone take care of my dogs outside my house. I'd rather have it in place and not need it then the other way around. I figure I can always cut back on help days and bring my dogs home if I feel up to it later.

I didn't need any help. I made sure that tasks involving heavy lifting (changing kitty litter, yard work) were done prior to surgery and everything was fine.

I don't blame you Nikki. I've only told my husband and my parents for basically the same reasons. Good luck to you hun

I feel it is up to the person if or if not you tell. I feel it is quite honest to say you were having gastric issues and had a procedure to fix it. Then move on or change the subject. I have had stomach issues in the past and when people tried to get me to eat things I didn't want I blamed it on my doctor and my ulcers. This way if the cooked something special for me they do not feel I'm rejecting them or it. I have my surgery in August some people I will tell or have been tod and the rest it will be the above. I wouldn't tell everyone about my period or women's issues so why would I tell everyone about this private body change. Your life. Your decision. Don't feel guilty!

I told everyone via Facebook. I did it because my mom did medical weight loss a number of years ago and when she lost quickly ppl started rumors she had cancer and or HIV. Didn't want that stupid crap said about me. I also told ppl to keep silent if they can't support me. Everyone was really supportive but I get why you want to control it. If it weren't for my mom's experience and my history of cancer I would have stayed quiet.

I did the same only told my children.

I told 3 people going in (two who helped take care of me, and one person who lives 3000 miles away). I told a few trusted friends a week later, and as far as anyone else, they can wait until I am ready, if I am ever ready at all. I refuse to have negative, toxic people during what is supposed to be the most transformative period of my life.

By the time I decided to have the sleeve, I told my loved one and answered their questions and listened to their concerns. For me it was important to have them on my side. After that no one else matters. I am very open, so the day before the surgery I sent an email to all my friends and coworkers telling them about the surgery. I stay away from negative people. I respect their opinion but I don't care about it.
Sharing your decision is very personal. You need to do what feels right for you. Surround yourself with people that love you and respect you. And stay away from toxic people.

At first I didn't want anyone but immediate family to know, but one benefit of needing to wait so long to get it done (I've been waiting since last October) is that I have actually gained the confidence to tell people. I am proud of my decision so I don't care what other people think about it. That being said I have told quite a few people and have not come across a negative opinion, everyone seems to be genuinely supportive, I have told co-workers, friends and acquaintances. Don't rule out telling people, they may surprise you and the support they will give you helps.

I think I'll feel less pressure having kept it a secret. I don't need people thinking that I should've lost more by now or that I've lost too much. For me, It takes all of the pressure of having an audience away from the experience. It also takes away the pressure of having everyone compare your experience to their own or that of someone they know.

I have decided early on in this process, I am not ashamed of my decision. I am 6days out and my family and close friends are aware of my decision. Now for the "others" who will probe and ask questions, I don't know how I will respond, but I believe the truth will set me free!

That's how I plan to keep mines except for a selected few my son's dad and 2 cousins and they will not spill the Beans lol. I heard so many opinions when I wanted to have the lapban a few years ago I was drowning lol. So not this time.

When I first got my band I only told very few people. As time went on I told more. Now I don't care who knows about it, but it took time for me to build that confidence.

I only told my immediate family. I don't want to deal with or hear anyone's opinions either even if they are well intended. This is my journey, I'm not ashamed, I'm proud of myself! Day 5!

I told everyone and still continue to do so. I am excited about the changes and I too feel beyond blessed at the support I have received. For the couple that don't, I just ignore them. The thought of keeping this secret after hiding in silence about my food addiction all these years was just too much.

I've told mostly everyone I know and even started a Facebook page about my weight loss journey. I'm still in the pre-op stage. My family, friends and colleagues have been more supported than I could've imagined. The texts, Facebook comments and private messages have been beyond my wildest expectations. I'm humbled by all the support they've shown me. Even people whom I thought were close minded to this kind of thing have shown tremendous support for me.
Good luck to you all!!

After I submitted, 6 weeks sounds about right. (Granted, that doesn't include the 6 months of document gathering leading up to submission). It took about 2 weeks for my insurance to approve, then surgery was about 3-4 weeks after that. I was so impatient and would have loved for it to go faster, but it all worked out fine.

So I have made the decision to have the gastric sleeve surgery. I also have decided to be very selective on who I share my journey with. A couple of reasons why I decided to keep my sleeve somewhat secret is mainly because I don't want to deal with other peoples opinions on what I have decided to do with my life during the most emotional time in my life. Some people think that losing weight is as easy as just pushing away from the table and have no idea what it means it means to live a life being overweight and unhappy. I'm not saying that I will never tell anyone what I have done to lose such a massive amount of weight in a short period of time. I am just saying that I want to decide when I want to tell people or share my story when I feel that I am emotionally ready and strong enough to do so. People will judge you no matter what you decide to do in your life. That is a true statement. I just choose to have more control over the negativity that I may be subjected to because of people's lack of understanding. I am not ashamed of my decision and I am only doing this because I feel is best for me and my future. I am already a sensitive person by nature and I feel that after surgery, knowing that my hormones will be all over the place, is a time I want to deal with me and my feelings and whatever buyers remorse I may be feeling at that moment without others people input. I may get to a point to where I do want to share my story and perhaps help someone else, but at this point my focus is on making sure that I am healthy physically and mentally. Please share your thoughts with me.

the few people I decided to tell I made sure to prep. I didn't just come out with "I'm having weight loss surgery". I told them I had something life changing to tell them and asked them to be respectful of my decision and be careful of their responses and it seemed to work. I don't believe everyone in my family has the right to know. I'm only telling a select few that I feel will be supportive and that I can call on. Just because we are related doesn't entitle you to know my business. I'm not even telling my mother because I don't want to hear the negative things she will say. Good luck with your decision. Think about it this way...you will have a lot of emotional overload hat you will have to deal with surrounding your surgery. Do you want to deal with other people's opinion and perhaps negativity with that as well?

I have told my sister and son and I have told a handful of people at work. I am very fortunate in that everyone has been very supportive and happy for me.
When I first started telling people I was actually surprised when everyone was supportive because apparently I was expecting some negative comments but never got them.
I told several people that I was surprised that everyone I told was happy for me. They all said they have seen me struggle since they have know me with the weight issue and that's why they were happy for me.