Hi all,

I'm getting banded on 21 Apr. I have concerns about telling people...(ie. who to tell, when to tell, IF to tell). Logically, I KNOW that it shouldn't matter what people think about me and I KNOW that medically, this is the right avenue for me. However, I can't seem to shake the feeling that people are going to "judge" me and think I'm taking the easy way out (Haaaa!! if they only knew how hard this will really be!). So, my question is...did anyone else face (or are you currently facing) this isssue? If so, how did you deal with it? I mean, I know sooner or later (fingers crossed) people will start to notice and they will ask questions; I'm just not so sure how to respond. I know, I know, "true friends" will be okay with it but I had a friend who had gbs and even her "true friends" were kind about it and supportive about it to her face but behind her back...*sigh*...a different story. People can be so cruel. Any experiences any of you have had with this will be appreciated.

Tks all!

Sherrie,

I fully understand you... me too, I've been loosing soooo slowly (less than 20 lbs in 15 months, my doctor refuses to to do big fills each time, and I only get to see him every 4 or 6 months...)that sometimes I feel I am a real fiasco... Things would've been even harder if I had told everybody around me, and even with those few I told, I wish i didn't have to (but that would have been impossible not to...) Loosing weight is a constant struggle for me, even with the band.

niki

I only told immediate family and very close friends about my surgery. The recovery period is so small, I was able to just take a few days off without anyone suspecting a thing. I told my boss I was having a minor procedure just in case something went wrong and I wound up in the hospital longer than planned.

Once the weight loss became noticeable, I told people I was doing a modified South Beach Diet since my food tolerances are consistent with it (no bread, pastas, sweets, etc). The funny thing is that I've lost so much that a dozen people I work with started doing the South Beach Diet. LOL.

I decided not to tell because I didn't want to be "judged" either. Even though it's no one's business, people still come out of the woodwork to give their unsolicited opinion. I don't need that negativity. There are so many negative opinions of WLS because of the statistics regarding bypass and no one really understands the band yet. It's alot more than a five minute explanation of what it is and why it was best for you. You're weight loss will be at such a natural pace, you can really get away with not telling anyone ever.

Good luck.

Lots of interesting and useful posts. I didn't do a scientific survery or anything but I get the impression that most ppl prefer to keep it to themselves and their "inner circle". I just want to clarify one thing (& though I don't presume to speak for others, it also prob holds true for the others)...just because I may choose to keep it to my very inner cirlce by no means is an indication that I am ashamed or embarassed about it. NOT AT ALL!!! Obiously I would share the info with someone if they were serious about it (ie. were also obese and asked for assistance). Nosiree bob...no shame here!!!!:guess

only 10 more sleeps to go!!!