Ok, I'm getting banded in August and I have decided to tell only 3 people --- my daughter who is going to take me for the surgery (I have several other kids who would tell the world), my MIL, and a friend who had the surgery, This is my question -- what's my story to my colleagues, friends and family about 1) having surgeryout of work for a few days (gall bladder, "female problem"?; 2) eating differently. I mean -- has anyone had friends or family ask why you are eating blended meat and vegetables or baby food? (Ok, I'm being a little extreme, but really -- some ideas from you closet bandsters would be greatly appreciated)!

Geez, my secretary is the nosiest person in the world -- she'll ask a million questions. And I have some pretty observant friends -- you've never eaten anything green in 3 years -- what's the deal? Uh...I'm just trying to get healthy?!

Check out the thread called "who did you tell?" I saw some really good white lies...like hernia surgery...which would explain the soreness ect, but personally, iIthink gallbladder is the way to go, because that explains why you suddenly have to make changes in your eating habits.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

WOW, you've lost weight! How did you do it??? Thanks, I've been eating less and exercising more.

The only issue with the gall bladder thing is that if your gall bladder goes bad in the future (which it seems to do often after quick weight loss), then what do you say? A hiatal hernia, from my understanding, is when part of your stomach is kind of poking up through your diaphram. I think it would be a good explaination.

When I asked for time off work I just said I was having surgery for "female issues" and wasnt questioned any farther. I told one of my coworkers I was having a some fibroids removed. It is a laproscopic procedure and has the same recovery. (I actually looked it up, lol) When I went to work a week later I was on full liquids and no one questioned me having soup for lunch. I said the anesthesia had left me nauseous and that my tummy still wasnt 100%.

At my job, the only people that knew exactly why I was leaving was my manager (who is also my friend) and the owner of the company. As far as everyone else was concerned I was on "vacation".

Outside of work, if anyone asks anything, just say you are trying to eat more healthy. If you go into having had any procedure done, that will bring up more questions.

Remember, just because someone asks does not mean you are obligated to answer if you don't want to. It'll be okay. If you start making up stuff, it becomes harder to cover, plus if you tell someone you had gall bladder surgery or whatever, what will you do when you say that to someone who has also had that procedure and wants to compare notes?

I think it's easier to say as little as possible. But that's just me. :grouphug:

OH....forgot, congratulations and good luck in August!!! :clap2: Keep us posted. :grouphug:

I wouldn't say its your gaul bladder incase you really do need to have it out in the future. I would say its female and leave it at that.

My neighbor tried like heck to get it out of me b/c she saw me home for 6 weeks. Talk about nosy. It must have killed her that I didn't say what it was LOL.

IMHO, the less people you tell, the better. Then they can't put you under that magnifying glass that alot of them seem to do when your going thru periods where your not losing, or when your eating something they "think" you shouldn't be eating.

Its just none of their bee's wax!

GOOD LUCK !!!

The "female issues" is a good excuse, but I have one problem.

I am a guy.

Any ideas

The "female issues" is a good excuse, but I have one problem.

I am a guy.

Any ideas

How about "male issues"? Then let them wonder what exactly male issues are. :grouphug: Seriously, you could use the hernia excuse.

I'm using the female issues excuse with my boss. Can't use the gallbladder excuse since I had mine out 2 years ago. And I agree with the above poster, I wouldn't use gallbladder since there is a very high chance you'll need it out in the future after a big weight loss.

I requested time off from work (3 days + weekend), Surgery on a Friday, returned to work on Wednesday. I didnt' tell a soul. It was none of their business. As far as they know, I went on a trip (but I didn't even offer that).

Melissa Lea

Bug,

A hiatal hernia is where the stomach slips through the diaphragm.... therefore your surgery scars/soreness should be in the same place. Most hiatal hernias aren't operated on, but not too many people know that.

Diverticulitis would explain some belly pain and diet changes. (Inflammation of "pouches" that can get created in your intestines) Most people would be placed on cipro for that (for story completeness)

I agree with Melissa Lea. I felt it was a personal medical issue that I did not need to share with anyone other than 3 people in my immediate family. I am at 6 wks, and the only thing anyone has notice about me that is different is that I have lost weight!!!

"I have to have a hiatal hernia repaired. The MD says I need to shrink my liver so he/she can do a lap approach to the surgery. To accomplish this, I need to be on a liquid diet for _________ days. After surgery, I need to be on a liquid diet to protect the sutures and allow for healing."

Thanks for all the great input. I feel a lot better about it now. I think I can deal with it one way or another.

For the guys, I love the "I have some male problems", but I probably wouldn't have the "guts" to say that. I had considered some vague reference to "gastrointenstinal problems" and leave it at that. Hopefully, that sounds yucky enough to keep most people from follow-up questions. If not, I could describe my "symptoms" -- wet farts, uncontrollable diarrhea, etc. That would probably put an end to the conversation fast. LOL.

On an editorial note, it is unfortunate that there are so many people in this world that think it's okay to make extremely personal inquiries into one's life -- whether it be medical, emotional, family, etc. I am a very open person and probably say too much, but even so, there are those who have absolutely no shame about asking me anything.

Oh, well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised -- I haven't gone to the bathroom in my own house without an audience in 16 years (since my first child was born).:grouphug:

My insurance and the hospital just stated "stomach surgery" on all the paperwork. The weight loss is so much slower than bypass that you can just let everyone think you have gotten this great will power and are working really hard to change your life.