So this is my first time posting on here. I've only told my fiancee (obviously) and one friend about my surgery (may 3rd). I KNOW my parents will flip out if they know. I don't want to tell them because I know they'll freak out. BUT, I don't want to lie to them and have my mom figure it out and find out I lied about it. What do I do? I have NO doubts about what I'm doing. It's just the judgement from my family I'm worried about. Any advice?

I have told only the people I trust which includes certain friends and family. I haven't told my brother, though. He is extremely judgmental and critical. I can already imagine the conversation (or rather the lecture) that he would have with me. I feel that I owe this journey to myself and don't have to justify it to anyone else. I don't need his approval or disapproval. I may tell him or I may not. I haven't decided. All I know is that the closest people to me in my life love me and support me unconditionally. This process is hard enough without feeling that!

I told my parents a couple weeks ago, after I'd made my decision; mostly because that's how I've done things all my life (I'd rather apologize later than ask now philosophy). I just kind of announced it at dinner at Cracker Barrel, and we all (brother and sister included) discussed it. I left the conversation feeling like they weren't really too keen on the idea, though.

Then for the next couple weeks after that I told them about upcoming appointments, etc. as if they'd always approved of the idea lol. Eventually they started asking questions and one day my dad just said to me out of the blue, "we want you to know we'll be with you every step of the way.":thumbup:

It took a few days, but they definitely came around, and are even talking about going to my first appointment with the surgeon w/ me. (we'll see) I'm glad I told them, though. It felt good to be able to tell the psychotherapist (who i met with today) that they would be part of my support system post-op. :thumbup: