Hi guys, I had a difficult time telling my family about my upcoming surgery. I am not very good at communicating in person, but i am great at writing, so i decided to tell my family in a letter/email. I thought i'd post my letter here, maybe it will give someone else the courage to tell their friends/family. The response i received from my family was absolutely 100% supportive, more than i could have ever expected.

I have something important to tell you all, and since I am much better at writing out my thoughts I am sending this email.

I have decided to have a type of weight loss surgery called the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (or Gastric Sleeve). I am more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have regarding this surgery, the process, my doctor, etc., but I

do not want any negative comments

, as this is my life and my decision, and

I am not going to change my mind, no matter what

.

Trust me when I say I have done a FULL INVESTIGATION into this surgery and my surgeon

, gone through all of the seminars, chose the same doctor that has performed weight loss surgery on two of my co-workers (one had the by-pass 8/2010, and one had the Gastric Sleeve 3/2011), and have finished all the required testing (which was an EKG, several blood tests for all Vitamin levels, cholesterol, had an ultrasound of my stomach, gallbladder and liver, completed a psych evaluation, and met with a nutritionist). I have joined a forum called Vertical Sleeve Talk, that has thousands of members all over the world who have had/are scheduled to have this same surgery. I have met a lot of good people, have gotten answers to basically any question anyone could ever think of.

This is not a quick fix, or the easy way out like a lot of people think. Its going to be hard work, but with the Sleeve I will be

forced

to eat better,

and wont be able to eat so much

. I've been overweight since at least sixth grade, and right now I am at my heaviest. After this surgery, I will lose 65-75% of my excess weight within one year. My insurance even covers this procedure.

Please know that this is not a snap decision I made overnight

, I've been thinking about it and looking into it for over a year now.

If you would like to look further into this surgery and the program I chose, my doctor's names are Dr. Quebbemann and Dr. Braverman, and run a center called the N.E.W. Program. Dr. Quebbemann has appeared on multiple television shows including the Doctors, 48 hours, The Early Show, has been quoted in People magazine and USA Today. In fact, here is the link with the surgeons bios and information:

http://thenewprogram.com/default/about-us/our-expert-team

Information about the Gastric Sleeve procedure and what its all about can be found here:

http://thenewprogram.com/default/comprehensive-weight-loss-options/surgical-weight-loss/sleeve-gastrectomy

My surgery is scheduled pretty soon, on Friday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m. (the time is subject to changing, I will know for sure the day before). I will be required by my insurance to stay in the hospital for one night, and will be home the next day, able to walk and drive just fine. The hospital I will be at is a Bariatric Center of Excellence (as required by my insurance), and called Tri-City Regional Medical Center. Here is the link with the information on the hospital:

http://www2.tcrmc.org/

. You all are more than welcome to come visit me while I am there.

I will be telling Brooklyn

(my 7 year old)

the day before my surgery, that mommy is having surgery on her tummy to make her feel better. I believe once she sees me eating better and losing weight, she will be excited to eat better as well. In fact, Terry

(my boyfriend)

has already started working out and eating better. This surgery is not only going to affect me in a positive way, but will change the eating habits of the people around me as well. Terry is taking Brooklyn to school the morning of my surgery, and Mom, I was going to ask if you would be able to pick her up that day and keep her overnight.

I AM ABSOLUTELY SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS DECISION AND IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO ME TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT

. However, if that is not the case, if you cant say anything nice then please just dont say anything at all.

Well put, babigrl! I can only imagine how much better you felt (even before getting responses) after sending out that letter. I haven't told my parents or brother yet; I'm trying to wait until I have a date, but I'm a little nervous about that conversation. I likely will tell them over the phone, but I may steal some of the points you make here, if that's okay

Please do use any part of it! Thats why i posted it, in case anyone needed help telling family or friends. I swear i feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and i feel so much better now that they know.

Babigrl111, I am so happy that they have given you the encouragement that you need. My surgery is scheduled for 12/5 at 10:30 a.m. All kinds of emotions but I know this is the right one. I will be praying for you on your big day!

That is awesome! There are still people who I have not told, I am waiting til after

Fantastic letter! Glad you have gotten supportive responses from your friends.

Hi guys, I had a difficult time telling my family about my upcoming surgery. I am not very good at communicating in person, but i am great at writing, so i decided to tell my family in a letter/email. I thought i'd post my letter here, maybe it will give someone else the courage to tell their friends/family. The response i received from my family was absolutely 100% supportive, more than i could have ever expected.

I have something important to tell you all, and since I am much better at writing out my thoughts I am sending this email.

I have decided to have a type of weight loss surgery called the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (or Gastric Sleeve). I am more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have regarding this surgery, the process, my doctor, etc., but I

do not want any negative comments

, as this is my life and my decision, and

I am not going to change my mind, no matter what

.

Trust me when I say I have done a FULL INVESTIGATION into this surgery and my surgeon

, gone through all of the seminars, chose the same doctor that has performed weight loss surgery on two of my co-workers (one had the by-pass 8/2010, and one had the Gastric Sleeve 3/2011), and have finished all the required testing (which was an EKG, several blood tests for all Vitamin levels, cholesterol, had an ultrasound of my stomach, gallbladder and liver, completed a psych evaluation, and met with a nutritionist). I have joined a forum called Vertical Sleeve Talk, that has thousands of members all over the world who have had/are scheduled to have this same surgery. I have met a lot of good people, have gotten answers to basically any question anyone could ever think of.

This is not a quick fix, or the easy way out like a lot of people think. Its going to be hard work, but with the Sleeve I will be

forced

to eat better,

and wont be able to eat so much

. I've been overweight since at least sixth grade, and right now I am at my heaviest. After this surgery, I will lose 65-75% of my excess weight within one year. My insurance even covers this procedure.

Please know that this is not a snap decision I made overnight

, I've been thinking about it and looking into it for over a year now.

If you would like to look further into this surgery and the program I chose, my doctor's names are Dr. Quebbemann and Dr. Braverman, and run a center called the N.E.W. Program. Dr. Quebbemann has appeared on multiple television shows including the Doctors, 48 hours, The Early Show, has been quoted in People magazine and USA Today. In fact, here is the link with the surgeons bios and information:

http://thenewprogram.com/default/about-us/our-expert-team

Information about the Gastric Sleeve procedure and what its all about can be found here:

http://thenewprogram.com/default/comprehensive-weight-loss-options/surgical-weight-loss/sleeve-gastrectomy

My surgery is scheduled pretty soon, on Friday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m. (the time is subject to changing, I will know for sure the day before). I will be required by my insurance to stay in the hospital for one night, and will be home the next day, able to walk and drive just fine. The hospital I will be at is a Bariatric Center of Excellence (as required by my insurance), and called Tri-City Regional Medical Center. Here is the link with the information on the hospital:

http://www2.tcrmc.org/

. You all are more than welcome to come visit me while I am there.

I will be telling Brooklyn

(my 7 year old)

the day before my surgery, that mommy is having surgery on her tummy to make her feel better. I believe once she sees me eating better and losing weight, she will be excited to eat better as well. In fact, Terry

(my boyfriend)

has already started working out and eating better. This surgery is not only going to affect me in a positive way, but will change the eating habits of the people around me as well. Terry is taking Brooklyn to school the morning of my surgery, and Mom, I was going to ask if you would be able to pick her up that day and keep her overnight.

I AM ABSOLUTELY SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS DECISION AND IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO ME TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT

. However, if that is not the case, if you cant say anything nice then please just dont say anything at all.

Thanks everyone! I dont think a lot of times we realize how much we want our family & friends support, so we brush it off, or wait to tell them until afterwards. My sister has still not responded to this letter, but my mom and dad did, which has made all the difference in the world. And remember, anyone who is not supportive of you before might just be scared, and hopefully will come around after they see you losing the weight and getting healthy!

Great letter!

I admit it - I stole parts of your letter. I've been terrified to tell two of my friends as they are both heavy and have made comments about weightloss surgery in the past. Still, I know they wouldn't forgive me if I had surgery and didn't tell them. Hopefully your letter will pave the way.

I admit it - I stole parts of your letter. I've been terrified to tell two of my friends as they are both heavy and have made comments about weightloss surgery in the past. Still, I know they wouldn't forgive me if I had surgery and didn't tell them. Hopefully your letter will pave the way.

Im so glad...if it helped just one person it was worth posting! Thats how i felt too, if i wouldnt have told them they would be so upset and hurt with me.

That's a great letter! Very well written with all the information they might need to know about the surgery, your doctors, the hospital..etc. It does seem easier to write it all out like that. I'm happy for you that you've rec'd such great responses so far!

Thank you for sharing this! I have been struggling with who to tell and what to tell. I know surrounding myself with positive, supportive people will be critical to my success. Your letter gives me inspiration and reminds me that this is about ME, MY life, MY future, etc. Folks that are "with me," well come along! And those that aren't on board can get on another train! : D