My sister had the sleeve almost a year ago and doesn't tell anyone she had it done. Do you folks tell people or just tell them diet and exercise? I'm have my sleeve done by dr. Alvarez on 8/18! Can't wait!!

The five or so people in my life that mean a lot to me know- they are the only ones that need to know- its personal to me- I want to be ME- not a surgery

Everyone's life is different

It's been two years and only few people in my family knows about it.for the rest of the world it's high Protein low carb diet n work out.i never wanted people to judge me all the time and criticize me for the decision I made for my life.i had lots of problem after surgery and I didn't want to be discussed or my surgery to be the hot cake

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Thank you everyone for your posts. I'll have to think about it some more and figure out what I want to do.

I tell anyone ! Funny though its usually somebody overweight that starts with the negativity. I used to try to educate them and still do but if I see it's going nowhere I ask them if they would like to make a commitment to losing weight and offer my surgeons tele. Number. Something about that word COMMITMENT !!!

I have shared with about 10 friends. I haven't told my in laws. As for how to answer questions about weight loss- I find that if I don't say much people answer their own questions. It's hilarious.

This is the way it typically works...

Person: omg! U have lost a ton of weight! What have u been doing.

Me: thanks! I've been working hard.

Person: so what have u been doing?

Me: pause and smile

Person: diet (pause and look at me expectantly)?

Me: smile and nod

Person: exercise, huh?

Me: smile and nod

Person: wow! That's awesome. I need to do that.

And then they typically walk away. I guess I've been lucky so far.

I have shared with about 10 friends. I haven't told my in laws. As for how to answer questions about weight loss- I find that if I don't say much people answer their own questions. It's hilarious.

This is the way it typically works...

Person: omg! U have lost a ton of weight! What have u been doing.

Me: thanks! I've been working hard.

Person: so what have u been doing?

Me: pause and smile

Person: diet (pause and look at me expectantly)?

Me: smile and nod

Person: exercise' date=' huh?

Me: smile and nod

Person: wow! That's awesome. I need to do that.

And then they typically walk away. I guess I've been lucky so far. [/quote']

Awesome.!! After my surgery and hopefully when I lose my weight.. I'm going to try that... They basically ask and answer They own questions..lol

My issue to telling the world is that I worked hard pre-op to lose 45 lbs, healthy diet and exercise. Now 18 days post op and it hasn't been easy. And you know what, I will still have to diet and exercise, this is just another tool.

So my issue is ppl who think WLS is for the lazy fat ppl to have an easy way out. So not true. And I dont have the time nor inclination to reinform the closed minded masses.

My issue to telling the world is that I worked hard pre-op to lose 45 lbs, healthy diet and exercise. Now 18 days post op and it hasn't been easy. And you know what, I will still have to diet and exercise, this is just another tool.

So my issue is ppl who think WLS is for the lazy fat ppl to have an easy way out. So not true. And I dont have the time nor inclination to reinform the closed minded masses.

Amen to this. The surgery is the tool. I lost 70 pre-op while in the program and 30 pounds before I decided to do it. I lost 128 since last summer and I just had surgery June 4th.

The surgery or the sleeve is not the one that did this, I am. The sleeve helps me go a little faster, and will help me keep it off, as long as I do what I am suppose to do.

If I meet someone that would benefit or seems interested in the surgery, I will of course tell them, but I have relatives I just don't like, I have people in my life I have to smile and be polite to even if I don't care for them. It's much more practical for me not to have to tell them off if they make rude comments. I may have to have them in my life, I don't have to have them in my business.

I have told my close circle of girlfriends, 4 of my co-workers, and a few others. I'm not embarrassed, I just didn't choose to tell 'others'. I CAN'T WAIT til I get to the point where people start asking what I have done to lose weight! Depending on the person,I will either tell them about my surgery, or I will use the whole low carb, high protein thing. I've actually considered the FB approach to letting people know, but don't want to do the weekly updates, or have all my interactions be about the surgery.

I told my family and co-workers, who they share it with I don't care. I figure let them talk it out now so it's not news later. It loses it's shock factor if it's not a secret. Nothing to gossip about if its common knowledge. Also, if someone can see me succeed (hopefully), maybe it will inspire them?

I'm telling people I am having my gall bladder out to cover for the surgery at least for co workers. I have told several friends and I will eventually come clean but for now this is my comfort level. To each her own...cheers!