Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How many people did you tell about your WLS?  

1 member has voted

  1. 1. How many people did you tell about your WLS?

    • Everyone who would listen...I'm happy to share
      90
    • Family and others (>10 people)
      46
    • Family and close others (5-10 people)
      65
    • Family and close others (2-5 people)
      154
    • Only one person
      28
    • No one
      4


Recommended Posts

My husband and daughter (24) know. My daughter plans on helping around house while hubby is working during day for few days.

I too will share with a fat stuggling person because usually the advise for a person who has no weight issues is "why don't you just cut your calories??". LIke I have not tried that...anyway, I feel it is none of anyones business. Just sit back and watch fat Cindy change!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I'm just curious who all you told about your WLS. I'm pondering this question now and would love to hear from you all.

Thanks,

Mslynn

I told people on "a need to know basis".

Anyone else and I would have to kill them.:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I'm banded, and I only told a limited few. I don't regret that, yet. Will keep you posted.

Thanks,

Mslynn

:wave:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told my parents, my daughter, my manager, the President of the company I work for, 2 of my real life friends, and about 4 people on one of the message boards I go to. So about 11 people.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oooh, this is funny. I wasn't going to tell ANYONE, just dh and Aunty who had it. Then I told my brother and his wife too, and the people Iwas staying with when I went for the band. That was it I wasn't going to tell anyone else...:)

Now its a different story, I just about tell anyone (2 yrs out so very comfy with the idea) but I don't tell ppl I don't like much or didn't like previously. You know, the ones who always had something to say about my weight. I just let them suffer!!! (Especially since I am healthier than them now!!:P :Banane48: )

My kids are 6 and under. Eldest knows I had an op, but she doesn't know what it is all about. I guess I will tell her one day if she asks, I am sure she will see all the photos eventually.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I TOLD EVERYONE I Can and will continue to tell people because I believe if we become more open and sharing people will lose the stigma of wls. It will become so common, people will stop talking about it. Right now, so many people ask me about it and are curious to know how it works because they are interested in themselves. I am not embarrassed by the band because I am getting it to better myself. It is a tool to help us... why not share that tool with others. If people don't understand it, they have no choice but to critisize (sp) it.

I find that once I explain what will happen...most accept the band and some even embrace it!

I think I will love my band, and I will love all the attention I'll get after I get it... I can't wait to go shopping again...because I knew I'd be getting the surgery, I haven't bought new clothes in a year! whew... can't wait!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I tell everyone that I'm getting banded. If it weren't for a friend of mine telling me about her lapband last year, I never would have even known the band existed. She would have been sitting there all thin and pretty, and I would have stayed fat forever. Believe it or not, most people who hear wls, think about GB, alot of people don't know about the band, so I tell people. Even if they are thin, they might know someone who might find it useful for them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My concern is that if I tell more than a few, then *everyone* will know (word will get out without my control). Otherwise, if I knew it would stay managed, I'd tell 2-3 more friends...

:shrug:

Mslynn

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wanted to just tell my husband, mother, brother, and 3 close friends. I did not want to tell anyone else, b/c like others have said, I didn't want the added stress of being monitored all the time, and having people feel free to contantly ask me how it's going.

Well, my mom just told my sister, accidentally.:phanvan I specifically asked her not to tell her, b/c she is very close to my father (my parents are divorced) and my father is one reason I am overweight to begin with - he was constantly monitoring my weight growing up, even when I was thin. So now I need to ask my sister to please not share this with anyone else, i.e. our father, and I really hope she respects my wishes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have pretty much been out of the closet since I was outed by the mother of a friend of a friend - one of those it's-a-small-world things. Seems my daughter-in-law's friend has a mom who plays bridge with an old friend of mine. Somehow they connected the dots and Carol (my friend) called me up and asked me if I had had WLS. Thank goodness I said yes! I would have been really embarrassed to be caught in a bald-faced lie!

I don't advertise it, but I have decided to own up to it if anyone asks about my weight loss. So far (19 months) I have had not one single negative comment. And sometimes you find support in places you least expect it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Somehow they connected the dots and Carol (my friend) called me up and asked me if I had had WLS. Thank goodness I said yes! I would have been really embarrassed to be caught in a bald-faced lie!

I do not like lying, but some things are no one's business.

I wonder how much hinesty you would have gotten if you had asked Carol an equally personal question on a different subject.

I can think of many questions, but for the sake of civility, I will leave you (and the other readers) to assume what I might mean, that would probably not get an honest answer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do not like lying, but some things are no one's business.

I wonder how much hinesty you would have gotten if you had asked Carol an equally personal question on a different subject.

I can think of many questions, but for the sake of civility, I will leave you (and the other readers) to assume what I might mean, that would probably not get an honest answer.

I guess you would have to know Carol! This woman will ask anything/tell anything. Her doctor advised her to have a complete hysterectomy while she was in her early 30's. She really wanted to keep her ovaries, if possible, so as not to be thrown into early, surgical menopause. The doctor asked her, "Do you have some kind of emotional attachment to your ovaries"?

Carol said, "No....I don't think so. Do you have an emotional attachment to your testicles"?

His response was, "Oh, I understand completely". Sure he does...since you put it THAT way. LOL...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I chose to tell a few friends and my parents. My mom let my siblings in on it as well as my Uncle, at which point I had to tell my Grandmother or she would be pissed.

I am not telling anyone else, only because I don't want their input on my decision. I have done the research, I am going to the best surgeon in the area and a world class hospital.

That being said, when I come back I don't plan on hiding it. If people want to think that this was the easy way out then let them. I have no control over that. I will tell them if for no other reason then the truth is the easiest thing to remember.

I have gotten a few people who do not understand this. They think weight loss is about will power. No understanding of Obesity.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×