Has anyone decided to keep their surgery private? I personally am only going to tell a select few people until after I've had the surgery. I just don't want other peoples opinions or negative energy making me doubt my decision.

Also, once you've gotten the surgery and people ask you what you're doing to lose the weight (assuming they don't already know), what are you going to say? I knew a girl who was a little over 300 lbs, and all of a sudden weight just starting falling off of her. When I asked her what she was doing to lose the weight, she told me "diet and exercise". To make a long story short, I later found out that she had the lap band done and I thought to myself, "why didn't she just say that?". Do some of you guys know what you're going to say when this comes up? ( because I know it will).

my mom knows. my lab partner at school knows because i'm missing class on thursday for surgery. and a few select friends know. my sister is taking my for my endoscopy tomorrow and i don't think she knows (unless my mom said something to her, but she hasn't mentioned anything to me and hasn't asked any questions as to why i need an endoscopy). after surgery, i plan on telling people what i did unless its people that im not really fond of, then ill just say "high protein, low carb, and exercise"

only 5 people know that I had the surgery. I started dieting two months before the surgery and the weight started falling off so people just think I'm continuing my diet. I'm so glad to not have the pressure of people asking me all the time how much weight I have lost. It just seems like something really private.

My response is dependent on who is asking. Most people I simply say, I'm following the diet they give to patients after WLS (which is 100% true). Close friends & family I tell only if they ask. Other than that I have a don't ask don't tell policy.

Has anyone decided to keep their surgery private? I personally am only going to tell a select few people until after I've had the surgery. I just don't want other peoples opinions or negative energy making me doubt my decision.

Also' date=' once you've gotten the surgery and people ask you what you're doing to lose the weight (assuming they don't already know), what are you going to say? I knew a girl who was a little over 300 lbs, and all of a sudden weight just starting falling off of her. When I asked her what she was doing to lose the weight, she told me "diet and exercise". To make a long story short, I later found out that she had the lap band done and I thought to myself, "why didn't she just say that?". Do some of you guys know what you're going to say when this comes up? ( because I know it will).[/quote']

I only told a handful of people. Close friends, my parents and sister. Also my co-workers on my team at work. They have been very supportive of me and even a few of then have consulted my surgeon for surgery themselves. The choice is up to you on who you want to know about your surgery. It's a very personal matter and last thing you need is everyone's two cents and reasons why you shouldn't do it. Tell people who will support you.When people ask how I'm losing weight I tell them diet and exercise cause really that's what I'm doing just surgery is assisting me with it lol. When people ask why I can't eat a lot I tell them I had surgery to repair an ulcer which involve altering my stomach (I had a history of bad ulcers) and people usually leave it at that. Sometimes I find myself telling the sales ladies at clothing stores about my journey yet I can't tell some friends I had surgery. Guess I'm afraid of judgement but I eventually I find that I won't eventually care cause I chose my life over food and for that, I'm grateful.

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LOL I guess I'm no help here really. I told plenty of folks. I didn't care what their reaction was. Once I made the decision, it was a wrap.

lol.......@ cj

Has anyone decided to keep their surgery private? I personally am only going to tell a select few people until after I've had the surgery. I just don't want other peoples opinions or negative energy making me doubt my decision.

Also, once you've gotten the surgery and people ask you what you're doing to lose the weight (assuming they don't already know), what are you going to say? I knew a girl who was a little over 300 lbs, and all of a sudden weight just starting falling off of her. When I asked her what she was doing to lose the weight, she told me "diet and exercise". To make a long story short, I later found out that she had the lap band done and I thought to myself, "why didn't she just say that?". Do some of you guys know what you're going to say when this comes up? ( because I know it will).

I am still pre-op and have already told my immediately family, some of my friends, and even a few of my work peers ...oh and also my boss since I am going be off work for a little bit. Everyone has been very supportive. I am a district manager and I plan on telling the associates that work for me as well. Why not, they're going to ask anyway. Personally, I don't think it's anything to hide or be ashamed of and I feel that's how some people treat it. It's my opinion that the sleeve is a life changing procedure that can help a person achieve "long term" health. Also, I think it's ridiculous to have the "Star Jones" effect. Star Jones started dropping weight super fast, after years of struggling with her weight. Every time she was asked if she had WLS she would give one of her lawyer answers like "I'm am working hard to move my health into the right direction." Which doesn't say no, but also doesn't answer the questions. IMHO it made her look ridiculous. If she would have just said yes, and I did it to save my life people would have just accepted it and moved on. Although I understand that it's a personal choice to reveal your surgery to others or not. If someone ask whether or not I had the surgery, I will simply said yes.... I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and it saved my life. And to me...that takes courage... . and that's something to be very proud of.

I've told people that have asked that I had a procedure to help get my diabetes under control that involved cutting out part of my stomach that makes particular hormones (which is true lol). Surprisingly, it doesn't go any farther than that...The next thing out of their mouths is usually well, you look great and how are your blood sugars now?

I told my dad, step mom, my SO, dentist, and next time I see my PCP, I'll tell him too. No one else knows except for people I've met on the forum. As of right now, I don't plan on telling anyone in the future. I don't live near my family, and I don't plan on seeing them until October. I only plan on telling them that I eat less.

I didn't tell everyone that I had my gallbladder out last year, so why should this be any different?

There are a couple of good posts on this topic that I read a while back before I made the decision.

Honesty vs Lying About the Surgery

What Do You Tell People About Your Weightloss?

Secret

Good topic! This is something I've been thinking about lately, with my surgery coming up next month. I don't work so I don't have to worry about employers or co-workers, thank goodness. I do volunteer, but I already told them I'm having surgery and would be out for a couple weeks. I didn't specify what surgery I was having but if someone there asks, I don't think I would mind telling them.

The people who I'm really dreading telling are my parents. I know for sure that they are going to be against it. My dad has been obese for many decades and he has never considered surgery an option. My mom is super into Weight Watchers and doesn't understand that diet & exercise alone doesn't work for everyone. Plus they are somewhat protective of me and I know it will worry them a lot. So I'm still trying to figure out how to handle telling them.

I've told less than 10 people, and 2 of those people were judgmental and rude 2 others were strangers that I say out shopping and come to find out they both had had WLS. I joined this site for support because I was not getting it from my family and friends. Anyway, I know that the time will come for questions and when they do, I will make up my mind then what I am going to say. For now I am on a weight lost journey and "I'm doing it my way!" lol

I think its really just your choice! My whole family knows and they are all soooo supportive and keep me motivated and really have my back! and my closest friends as well the only person that doesn't like the idea is my BF because he swears I'm going to leave him UGH! that's a waaayy different story... but ne ways i don't think its something to just tell a complete stranger or a co-worker, acquaintance's out of nowhere....unless they ask but other then that my personal opinion is I wont tell but also i wont hide it that is who i am and its a part of me who it will make me and who i was no need to hide the true me....

I told a few people before, but I've been honest with people post-op for several reasons. 1. I know the struggles of being overweight and I would be very upset if someone lied to me about how they were losing weight if I asked them. 2. Several other teachers I work with have had some type of WLS so I have a great support group at work. We are like a giant family. 3. After I had my surgery I had some other health issues that popped up. They were completely unrelated to my sleeve surgery, but I had to have a few other surgeries after the sleeve. People offered to bring me food, so I had to politely decline and say why. I def. didn't post it on my fb that I'd had WLS, but if people ask I tell them the truth. People have generally been very supportive and encouraging. If anything I hear, " you're too skinny," and "you need to eat.". It wasn't so bad at first but it got a bit old.

LOL I guess I'm no help here really. I told plenty of folks. I didn't care what their reaction was. Once I made the decision' date=' it was a wrap. [/quote']

I am with you darlin.....l

This is a very good question and I'm not sure what I plan to do but so far the only people who know about me starting the process of WLS is my husband and this lady that I met at my daughters bday party who said that she had the procedure. I honestly didn't consider having the surgery because I thought I had to be much heavier in order to qualify but it turns out that since my BMI is 40.3, I qualify. I do have a feeling that my family will be judgemental and I have to admit that in the past I was judgemental of those who had WLS but now that I'm going down this path I totally understand. My aunt had WLS (RNY) back in 2005 and she mentioned it constantly and would always make rude comments about our weight now that she was skinny but in all fairness she was a very rude person before the procedure.

I don't see myself lying to anyone about how I lost the weight, especially if the person is obese like I am/was because maybe they haven't considered all their options yet. I'm glad the lady at my kids bday party mentioned it because I honestly would of stayed in my cycle of losing a few pounds and then gaining more. In my family they are extremely judgmental about weight and I remember from a very young age them always saying how "big" me and my sister are. I don't feel like I owe them an explanation about what I'm doing health wise and the fact that we live a 30 hr drive from them makes it easier.

Also when it comes to my facebook friends I don't see myself making a huge announcement and if anyone ask I will send them a PM. It's not a huge "secret" for me but I just feel that I don't owe anyone an explanation. Sorry if that doesn't make sense