Hello folks. Here I am again with another question!!

If you chose not to tell people at work or friends about your LB, how did you keep it secret? Did you change your mind and eventually tell? What kind of comments/questions did they ask? How did you handle it?

I am not planning to tell my coworkers. I know they will ask questions as they are super gossipy.

Thanks again for open and honest responses!

I am about 17 months out and NONE of my co-workers know about this. Oddly enough, I have lost more than 50 pounds and no one has mentioned it --- same thing when I eat lunch . . . no one really pays attention. Of course, that makes it easy for me

Also, I did not tell all of my family members. I suppose it is a matter of personal preference.

Believe me I know how you feel about being embarrassed. I have lived a long time feeling that way. Every time I went into a restaurant I would ask to be seated at a table because I knew I wasn't going to be comfortable in a booth I hated it and that is why I am having the surgery.

I don't want anyone to think that I am saying you should be telling people I only was saying that I did and believe me there are people that don't know and I am not sure If l am going to share . thank you for wishing luck I will post next week on how I am doing :-)

I got more Reinforcement why I'm not telling my coworkers today! We were talking about "master chef" and I mentioned the bigger of the three had WLS and a coworker said "well he's still big!" I was shocked and said "well he just had it done give him a minute!" Lol everyone must think you will wake up from surgery thin! >.<

I don't want or need that negative judgement when I become banded!

I told everyone. I work in the surgery dept where my Dr does weight loss surgery. Helps keep me on my toes ! Accountability! My family was very supportive. I'm hoping I can inspire just one person that feels its hopeless to lose weight and get their health back and then turns to the band for help and gives it their all...many people on here have inspired me. :0)

I've told my story on a similar thread. I'm being very careful who I tell. I have fingers left over when I count the friends/family that I've told. I have more anxiety about people judging me and watching me than I do about the actual procedure. I've always had issues with people knowing/judging what I eat...from childhood. I'm scheduled for surgery on September 11. My counselor and I are working on my issues and she and I have agreed that for now, I don't have to tell people. I don't have to lie, either. When asked, if I'm comfortable telling the person the WHOLE story, then I will. If not, then I just have to say, I'm watching what I eat and trying to exercise more. That's not a lie. Funny thing, though...I have absolutely no problem telling complete strangers I'll never see again exactly what I'm doing. The guy who delievered and set up the new treadmill in the house..told him. The lady at the grocery store giving me a rain check for the protein powder on sale...told her. The lady at the plus-size clothing store...told her. But, the lady in the office next to me...NO WAY. LOL. I realize my issues are not rational. My counselor says that's a good sign...we'll see. I did slip up while talking to a co-worker yesterday and it just came out of my mouth. He smiled and said "good for you." I have a feeling I'm eventually not going to keep secrets. I may be so damn proud of myself for taking control of my life again that I want to sing it from the rooftops...but for now, I'm just humming.

Only told my mother and MIL. Husband knows because he was banded same day, but not the kids.

I didn't tell anyone else (friends, extended family, coworkers).

When asked about my weight loss... I said high Protein, low cals and working out... which is what it is LMAO

I wish I would've done this. I was so excited about my surgery, I told my family and closest friends....and my mother told some relatives... now I feel like everyone is constantly looking to see what I'm eating/losing. It's just added a lot more scrutiny and pressure.

I'm being very selective as well. Every one is different -- all families are different, too. I think I know who my cheerleaders will be vs. those who may not like it that I'm taking control of my happiness in such an outward way. I'm a bit shy anyway -- don't like to be seen off at the airport, don't like my picture taken (but that's probably the fat), and don't like public speaking, etc. Uncomfortable with scrutiny...need some privacy to sort through this thing!

Thank you for the many posts! Great to hear you stories. OK, so how did you handle your first Thanksgiving? I don't really want to tell my extended family, but if I don't eat a ton like normal, they will know something is up. I never pass up loading my plate with my aunt's awesome cooking. How do you handle it? Surely they will notice?

Pura... If you want to keep your secret .. tell no one especially female co-workers... Woman are jealous by nature and one day.... some one will say... wow.. Look at Pura, she looks great and that one person you told will say... Well she took the easy way out and had WLS..... Sure as im sitting here it will happen.

So i told people at first... im watching what i eat and exercising... which was the truth.

Thank you for the many posts! Great to hear you stories. OK, so how did you handle your first Thanksgiving? I don't really want to tell my extended family, but if I don't eat a ton like normal, they will know something is up. I never pass up loading my plate with my aunt's awesome cooking. How do you handle it? Surely they will notice?

Here is how I handle the holidays and food . . . . TRUE STORY

My husband and I have a deal that he goes through line first and I put whatever food he is eating.

Then, when he is done eating, we switch plates. No one in my family has picked up on this.

My husband is VERY health and does NOT have weight issues --- he has always had second's

I told 2 people: my dad and 1 friend. I have another friend who suspects I had wls, but she has never asked me outright. I didn't tell any coworkers and honestly no one said anything to me until after I lost 50 lbs. lol. I just say I'm eating less and jogging which is the truth.

I've told my story on a similar thread. I'm being very careful who I tell. I have fingers left over when I count the friends/family that I've told. I have more anxiety about people judging me and watching me than I do about the actual procedure. I've always had issues with people knowing/judging what I eat...from childhood. I'm scheduled for surgery on September 11. My counselor and I are working on my issues and she and I have agreed that for now' date=' I don't have to tell people. I don't have to lie, either. When asked, if I'm comfortable telling the person the WHOLE story, then I will. If not, then I just have to say, I'm watching what I eat and trying to exercise more. That's not a lie. Funny thing, though...I have absolutely no problem telling complete strangers I'll never see again exactly what I'm doing. The guy who delievered and set up the new treadmill in the house..told him. The lady at the grocery store giving me a rain check for the Protein powder on sale...told her. The lady at the plus-size clothing store...told her. But, the lady in the office next to me...NO WAY. LOL. I realize my issues are not rational. My counselor says that's a good sign...we'll see. I did slip up while talking to a co-worker yesterday and it just came out of my mouth. He smiled and said "good for you." I have a feeling I'm eventually not going to keep secrets. I may be so damn proud of myself for taking control of my life again that I want to sing it from the rooftops...but for now, I'm just humming.[/quote']

This last bit has just brought tears to my eyes! I'm so happy for you, and I realise that's exactly how I want and need to feel like that - proud of myself for taking control. I'm only in the very early stages of the decision, I've had my first consult with the surgeon and other specialists but I actually took a bit of a break because I had second thoughts - I convinced myself that there was more j could do, I should try again and reassess in another six months. I'm now starting to re-book appointments because I've been feeling anxious and upset. I went to Bali last weekend and I swam once. ONLY because my friends begged me to join them. I was so uncomfortable and it made me so upset. I'm 22 years old and I should be loving life and I'm scared that for every time that I give myself another six months to try a new diet, ill wake up one day and have spent all the happiest and most free years of my life in 'fat jail' where I don't enjoy anything....

I have been silently watching this forum for a few months and this is my first post. I am so thankful for it and for all of you who share your stories and help me work out how I'm feeling.

In response to this thread: one of my biggest concerns/ fears is who to tell. My immediate family already know about my plans (my mum has been banded many years ago) but other than that I think I want to keep it entirely private. Being quite young, my friends and people I associate with aren't mature enough to understand that this is for me and my health. And as a lot of you have said, I don't want (or need) any kind of that negativity in my life when going through something this big!

Hello folks. Here I am again with another question!!

If you chose not to tell people at work or friends about your LB' date=' how did you keep it secret? Did you change your mind and eventually tell? What kind of comments/questions did they ask? How did you handle it?

I am not planning to tell my coworkers. I know they will ask questions as they are super gossipy.

Thanks again for open and honest responses![/quote']

I only told some people. If I am asked I say I watch what I eat and exercise. Which is true. That is not a lie. Most people are so involved in themselves that they don't notice your food on a plate or how little you eat.

I have chosen to only tell a few chosen people. I am very happy with my decision. It has been 2 years and to be honest' date=' I wish I told less people however each person knows it is a secret.[/quote']

Me too about telling fewer people.

I have always had a personal motto, "Keeping track of your truths is easier than keeping track of your lies." I know I am the type of person that likes to talk to people. Any person is a potential conversation-mate. If I had to keep track of who I told what, I'd spill the Beans in a few days anyway.

That being said, I have had it easy. I think guys have it easier. Men are simple, you tell them, they ask their questions, and on to the next subject. The guys in my office are making comments on how my clothes are getting to big. Busting my chops that I am saving money on food, but it will cost me in new clothes. If that is the worse teasing I get, I'll survive.

But here's the funny thing. I will tell anyone I can talk to,face to face. Or even one on one over the phone. But I haven't posted anything on Facebook about this. My thought is that I can explain my situation to someone, and answer their questions as we discuss it. I hopefully won't have too many people sniping behind my back, " Did you see Ron had that LapBand thingie? What was he thinking?" Well, I can answer them exactly what I was thinking.......

Ron