I still have a while before getting sleeved (75 days! Damn!!!!) but soon I'm going to either start letting people know about the surgery or not. Obviously my immediate family knows, as well as my close friends, but I'm debating whether to tell extended family and co-workers. Part of me says that they really don't need to know as they aren't really in my support circle. And as far as my boss is concerned, all I really need to give is about a month notice of time off, I don't even think I need a medical note because I'm part time. My dad had the sleeve too, but he never told any of his co-workers, and even after the surgery his co-workers didn't ask questions. Even if people outside of work asked he always said he lost weight drinking protein shakes. Part of me wants to tell everyone I see but then part of me is ashamed because of the bad connotation still attached to WLS.

So my question is this: How did you decide who to tell? Was there anyone you didn't tell and had some issues with later on? Has anyone tried to cover-up the fact that they had WLS?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me your responses, I know this affects everyone. It seems like every time I post something nobody answers!

I tol my sister and she pretty much cut off all contact with me. She definitely has a lot of her own issues to deal with, is morbidly obese and will find every excuse not to do anything about it, yet constantly and incessantly complains about her health. I hope this hasn't been an irreparable rift between us, but i refuse to live the rest of my life carrying this much weight.

I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks. I have told my fiancé and my kids. They are very

supportive, except my 14 year old som is very worried for me. We do a lot of talking through

feelings these days!

I am telling my boss and a supervisor that I am having surgery but not what it's for. I've had kidney stones in the past and I know they will assume it has something to do with that. I'm just not going to spend much time correcting their notions.

I think you decision to keep it on the DL until you better know how you feel is wise. I did not tell many people prior to surgery- only hubs, parents and a few very close friends. I didn't tell pre-surgery because I was a little ashamed and a little afraid I would back out (I had backed out of bypass before).

After surgery, any shame I felt about needing an intervention was overcome by my concern that obese people would see me losing all this weight not knowing I had surgery and the would feel worse about themselves. I felt like that would be doing a huge disservice to others in my previous position. I also had a co-worker who was sleeved and her openess really helped me in my journey.

Therefore, I shared that I had surgery anytime someone commented about my weightloss. Be aware though, as someone mentioned earlier, once you tell someone outside your tight inner circle everyone will know within a very short time. I've had no negative experiences with telling anyone and while I hope they aren't talking negatively about me when I am not around I realize I can't control that.

Best of luck to you in whatever approach you choose!

Amanda

I asked a friend how she lost the weight and thank goodness she told me she had VSG. I had never heard of this option before. Thanks to her I will have surgery on the 16th. Needless to say, I will tell everyone that asks.

I was not planning on telling anyone, but recently told 2 close friends. They were very supportive of me and it was a very pleasant surprise! I won't tell anyone else until afterward. I am not ashamed of the procedure, but I don't want to feel like people are watching me afterward. I don't want the added pressure.

I have told alot of people. I have only told the people that I thought would be supportive to me. I am sure the less supportive know thru the people that I have told. I am surprised at the positive support I have recieved by so many people. CoWorkers who I have not personally told and have heard have stopped by my office door and ask how I am ( I returned to work 1 week post op). I looked into the sleeve because a friend had done it. I now have a co worker that is starting the process, and another looking into it. For the last two reasons I am glad I did not keep it a secret.

I told family, husband, co workers and friends. Then after, I told anyone who asked how I was losing weight. I try to include eating less and exercise as part of the reason, and not treat the Sleeve like it does all the work by itself. I have had no negative responses and one person is in the process of getting WLS now... two others look like they might do it in the future too.

I didn't tell anyone before surgery except hubby and kids--but after I had lost about 40 pounds in the first two weeks--I started telling people. Now I even post about it on facebook. Several people have called and asked for more information on the surgery since I have had such good results. I just walk away from negative comments and think to myself that " I will show them"