Hi All,

I've told very few people I know that I've had this procedure as I thought I'd just keep it to myself HOWEVER I have told some people that I trust but wish I hadn't I've told maybe 10 people & of this 10 people at least 4 have said "oh you cheated" and the others just simply disregard the subject of weight loss because I can tell they are thinking the same "cheated" rude thoughts. I tend to get defensive when they say it to me and reply with something like "oh yeh I've cheated hey, let's see I spent 8k to have 3/4 of my stomach removed and I now have to watch everything I eat more than ever before"! Uh huh yep that's cheating!.......has anyone else experienced this stupidity?

I've told everyone that asked me how I'm losing weight. Everyone has been positive so far. When people ask why I had the surgery or could you have just gone on a regular diet, I tell them I have and that I would lose weight but then put it back on. I tell them I was digging my grave with a spoon. My weight was going to kill me. So if I cheated, I cheated an early death!

I've told a few people and haven't received a bad response. I know of at least one person who probably thinks I am a lazy fat thing taking the easy way out, but has thankfully seen fit to not say it to my face.

I've stopped telling people though. My parents know, a few close friends, my boss knows. Other than that, mum's the word. I don't want people watching me and commenting on everything I eat or do. I don't plan to hide it or omit it if people ask, but I'm not making any more announcements about it.

And if people want to think I'm a cheater then well... they had that opinion for some reason before they knew I was having surgery so nothing I say about my experience will change that.

Darlin'....opinions are like a-holes. Everybody's got one and they all stink. That's a direct quote from my grandmother. And a wiser woman I have never met.

I told everyone. I'm proud of my choice. I'm proud of every success and even any missteps. I made the best choice and I do NOT let others opinions take up real estate in my mind.

Well said!