So this past weekend I got together with some of my very best friends for a bon-fire and a fun drunken time. I'm trying to live out my final days of drinking lol anyway, my best friend shan and I were talking about the surgery and like all my best friends she is worried and doesn't want me to go through with it, but supports me. She broke down and cried. as tears ran down her face she yelled "you will never have a huge steak with blue cheese crumbles again!" I laughed so hard. Though it is so sweet my friends care so much, I am finding them trying to talk me out of it, I'm going to do it, but have you guys felt with people trying to talk you out of it?

I'm not telling my friends or family. Until I did the research myself I felt like your friends do. People who dont need the surgery don't do the research, that's why they're scared for you because they don't understand it. Once it's done and they see how happy you are, they'll love the new you even more.

Yep. A close friend keeps saying "So what's going to change? You didn't lose what you thought you would with the Band, what makes you think you'll do it this time?" I'm choosing to not listen to her (she's been told by a doc that her liver is way too large & if she doesn't lose weight, she'll die sooner than later. She says she" loves food to much") & not tell many people. My mom & dad are both dead, so I don't have to deal with my parents' opinions. I am doing this for ME; for my Health. Nothing else has worked...I have to lose the weight for knee surgery anyway & that's just impossible when you can't exercise because of the pain. My NUT told me last week not to let the naysayers influence my decision. It's great that they care, but they need to support you no matter what you decide. True friends will. Good luck!!

I understand! ( and SOmetimes my fat girl thoughts come out and I think I'll never be able to eat this or this again!) but I digress lol My best friend also tried to talk me out of it by saying that she's worried and doesn't think I need it. But I know I need it because of health problems and i'm a big girl lol But just hang in there like you're doing! one day our friends will understand why lol (and damnit I really really want a beer... damn pre op.. hahaha)

This is the number one reason I have kept my surgery from family and friends. Other than my wife and a few close friends, no one knows. I didn't want to have to justify myself at every turn or hear constantly what they thought I would never get to do again.

I'll make the necessary "I just had surgery" calls to family after my procedure and let my friends know as I see them.

Some may be upset, but I can live with that.

I've had enough to deal with myself over the last 6 months, I didn't want to add their drama as well.

YMMV.

When I first told my family my brother got upset. He thinks it is cheating. (he was drunk) He is very opinionated and of course his way is always the RIGHT way. We argued for a while. He said I really need to research this... REALLY??? did he think I would just one day wake up and say WOW I think I will go sign up for surgery without researching anything??

He wanted me to watch Biggest Loser for 1 season. HA. I told him I wanted him to watch Intervention for 1 season too We finally ended the conversation by me saying I would be more than happy to discuss this with him again sometime when he is sober. He has not brought it up again.

Everyone else in my family is very supportive! I have told most of my friends too and they are also supportive. I am a very positive person and presented it in a very positive way to everyone too.

2 days from now I will be sleeved!!! woohoo . I can't wait