So my first appointment with the Dr. is in only 1 week now. I'm very excited and nervous at the same time. So far the only people I have told that I will be having surgery are my parents, my in-laws and one person that I work with. How soon did everyone start telling people? and what group did you limit it to?

I have my hubby and a sister that know and a few friends. My family knows I had surgery to have abdominal tumors removed - I just haven't told them that I had this done too. I told the people that would be supportive.

I don't really care what people say behind my back - especially if I already know I can't trust them, but my medical issues are MINE . They don't have medical degrees yet think they do. Not really something I want to have discussed at Sunday dinner

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Only my husband and very best friend know. Don't want to tell my parents ...

@ Shapeshifter.....thanks for your input; very well stated; you write beautifully. I admire your courage to be completely honest with everyone and you shared some very good points. And as we all have determined, everyone is different. If I had cancer, I would handle it the same way I handle this; telling a select few because that works for me. I don't want people seeing 'cancer' when I visit with them, the same as I don't want them to see my WLS. I want to talk about other (in my opinion) things that interest me and my connection to them, not what is going on with my body.

I have only told my husband, my daughter, my parents, & my sister. I don't want everyone to know bcuz I don't want to deal with negative reactions or someone just waiting for me to fail. IMO It's really nobodys business what I am or am not doing.

@ Shapeshifter.....thanks for your input; very well stated; you write beautifully. I admire your courage to be completely honest with everyone and you shared some very good points. And as we all have determined' date=' everyone is different. If I had cancer, I would handle it the same way I handle this; telling a select few because that works for me. I don't want people seeing 'cancer' when I visit with them, the same as I don't want them to see my WLS. I want to talk about other (in my opinion) things that interest me and my connection to them, not what is going on with my body.[/quote']

Yes, this is a great way to explain it. I am in no way ashamed of having the surgery but that doesn't mean I have to shout it from the rooftops. I am an introverted person by nature, so my privacy is important to me. Would anyone wear a sign that says "I have had a hysterectomy!"? Probably not because it's no one's business. Just because this surgery affects your outwardly appearance doesn't change that for me.

That said, I've already told more people than I originally planned to, so we'll see how it works out in the end.

I tell anyone and everyone. IMO, there's no way to remove the stigma associated with WLS unless we the patients are willing to share our positive journey with others. You never know whose life you may save with your testimony.

I agree completely! I will tell everyone, anyone and hope that it helps. Obesity is a disease, just like heart disease--cancer--COPD, and until we start treating it as aggressively as we treat other illnessess, it will continue to devastate our society. Nobody blinks an eye when someone with heart disease has coronary artery bypass--it is a huge double standard.

Yes, this is a great way to explain it. I am in no way ashamed of having the surgery but that doesn't mean I have to shout it from the rooftops. I am an introverted person by nature, so my privacy is important to me. Would anyone wear a sign that says "I have had a hysterectomy!"? Probably not because it's no one's business. Just because this surgery affects your outwardly appearance doesn't change that for me.

Absolutely... and I am an extravert, Aquarian, with a ridiculous number of close, friends. I don't plan to advertise on facebook... but those who are in my daily life and sacred circle are my greatest support system, and I feel I will need them in the months ahead. The choices we make for ourselves should always be to our benefit, and if you know someone won't be supportive, I completely understand not sharing. We need all good energy coming our way!

Here's to your joyful journey!

Gene i have struggled with my weight for all my life. When i finaly decided to go ahead with the procedure. After concitering it for two years. I told my parents and when i went to visit them showed them pictures of what i was doing. Then i told my inlaws. And a few friends. I did get why are you doing this. You can loose weight with out doing it. I told those people that i needed help because i could not do it my weight kept going up and i refused to be 300 lbs i was 289 at the time. And they could choose to suport me or not but it was my choice and i had already made it.

After my surgery i posted on my face book what i had done. And surprising i got alot of support. I now post my progress Now i tell any one that wants to hear about it. Maybe it will help someone els

You can talk about it or you can wait its up to you it all determins how your confort level it all up to you. I have a friend that does not want to tell any one she has had it done and their are a hand full of people that know. You will do fine how ever you want to handle it

I told close family and a few friends. In the end I wish I told fewer people. I just feel like everybody is waiting and watching every pound and for me it's a slow process. I don't need the extra pressure.

This is definitely a fear of mine!

I really want to post it on facebook, to all my friends on there! But thinking I will wait until I am post-op & have lost some weight. I want to share with everyone, that I have surgery in 6 days & how I am nervous & excited to get a chance to start a new life basically.

But worried people will judge me or like Swimmer said, be watching me carefully to see how much I lose every week.

This is definitely a fear of mine!

I agree both of you guys

Should say that so far I have told my Mum, my hubby (of course) & 3 close friends. Oh & my PCP & psychiatrist. Everyone except my mum has been supportive so far, so has been nice!

I have only told a select few that I was going to have the sleeve, family, hairdresser, and two close friends. I have not told anybody new post op. Maybe if they ask how I have lost the weight, I might tell them. I'm not sure how I feel with this yet and it definately depends on the person that asks. Who knows, maybe in a few months I will want to shout it from the rooftop too.

I'm really torn about this. My sisters and daughter know but that's it for right now. My biggest question mark is whether to tell my boss. We work in a very small office and I've worked for him for almost 10 years. He's a great guy but I'm afraid he's going to (subconsciously) resent me for taking time off for an "elective" procedure. I'm debating just telling him that I need a procedure done that will require an overnight hospital stay and a few days off. I'm lucky that I can work from home if necessary but I don't know if I'll feel comfortable withholding that information from him. I have a couple of months to decide.