I've only told a select few close friends and family that I had my surgery. There are plenty other friends and family who I have not felt comfortable telling. I may find myself able to tell them someday, or I may not. Some of these friends I consider close friends.

Tonight it struck me .... exactly WHY haven't I told some people?

-- If I had an emergency appendectomy, surely I wouldn't feel embarrassed or vulnerable telling people.

-- If I had an elective surgery like hernia repair, I don't think I'd have a problem telling people about it.

-- If I had my tonsils out, or my son had ear tubes, I would have no problem revealing it.

-- If I had knee replacement surgery ...

-- If I had laser vision correction ...

Are you seeing the pattern here? So I asked myself, why do I feel uncomfortable or vulnerable about telling all my friends and family?

And as of yet ... I don't really know the answer. I'd sure like to know the answer. I have some suspicions, but I'm not certain.

-- Maybe I've bought into some social stigma?

-- Maybe I fear changed attitudes toward me?

-- Maybe I worry about having to defend my choice?

Then again ... these people are friends. Anyone who would criticize me for my choice, isn't someone I'd call a friend in the first place. I listed my friends to myself mentally, I can't think of any of them who would do that.

So I still ask myself ...Why haven't I told some people?

Now I ask you ... why haven't YOU told people?

It's a shame how people treat obesity yet there are 'rehab centers' etc. for under-eating, bulimia! I truly believe obese people also suffer from body dysmorphic disease yet no one addresses this psych. factor of weight gain! They think and say, "move more, eat less!" (duh!) But do they say to anorexics "move less, eat more and you'll be fine!" of course not. Our society and culture's obsession with physical beauty is to blame! Anorexics can hide their skeletal frames under clothing, hair and makeup! Obese people can't hide-they do so by avoiding social interactions where they feel judged and less than everyone else. Don't get me started on drug addicts-in snd out of rehab -mostly on taxpayers dime, they can't work (or won't!), free housing, etc. our culture is warped! In the 60's women burned their bras as a symbol of freedom from male oppression and to be proud of our "natural" bodies! -FF to the 2000's and women must have huge breasts to feel beautiful, so they have augmentation! Why hasnt Gloria Stineham addressed this flip-flop of women's lib! Sorry for the rant! I feel better now! Peace!

Ive told everyone and i wouldnt.change it for the world. Best support ever

I told everyone, cause I am not a very private person and I know I would eventually spill the Beans. Well, not everyone. I didn't tell my in-laws. Just because I know my MIL would not stop bugging her son about it.

I noticed people at work immediately analyzing everything I ate after that. "Maybe if you didn't eat this or that.... "

Piss off, I say. I did notice that I only got negative reactions from the girls whom are a little chunky. (Not heavy enough for WLS). Not one negative comment from any of my thin coworkers. I found that very curious. A little sad, I must admit.