Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Coming Out of the Weight Loss Surgery Closet: What, Whether, Why, and How



Recommended Posts

I too have not been sleeved yet but for some reason I am compelled to tell everyone. I think it is my excitement that I have hope for a nice looking healthy body.

Most people are supportive. I've had the occasional skinnies tell me 'Your not THAT BIG' to which I now reply 'do you know when a small person like you says something like that to a big person like me how it sounds? ' I hear you say I'm not THAT FAT, well in your opinion just HOW FAT do you think I should be to qualify?

This pretty much shuts the down.

My dad's wife, who is a tiny person, was not so much concerned about the surgery but more about the fact that she felt concerned i would get kidnapped in MX where I'm getting sleeved.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't tell people for a long time that I was going to have the surgery (sleeve). I felt like a failure to have to resort to surgery to lose weight. My surgeon and 2 other medical drs have explained to me that my body has lost the ability to lose weight, no matter what I did. Also being on insulin made it just about impossible to lose. It wasn't until right before surgery that I felt ok to finally talk about it.

Last night, I went to my sisters house, gave all the kids a mini cake for Halloween. My 13 yr old niece ate her cake, made a sandwich, ate that, then fixed mac and cheese, All within 45 minutes. I joked with her and said, woow watch out or You will need was. She looked at me and said, "well, I am sure I will have more motivation then you did." Well that was a slap in my face. I get it, she is only 13 and don't know what its like, but made me think that thats how society will see me. Not a happy thought.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have openly shared my decision to have sleeve in Dec but I have been guarded on Facebook. I haven't shared my decision or how I'm doing on my preop diet. I've lost 58 lbs already but I don't want to share that or any updated pictures. If someone asked I wouldn't hide it but I am afraid to share. I think it's that fat girl brain that reminds me of all of my failures in the past that afraid this won't last. It's so hard to change that thought process. I also feel like I would be gloating or annoying people. Isn't that sad that my brain thinks sharing monumental improvements in my health is bad.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Alex, I couldn't agree more with what you posted! Well said!! I've told everyone to point I'm a little tired of the story. Last night my wife went to a party, I'm I week from surgery and didn't want the temptations so I stayed in and watched football. With my permission she announced to everyone what. My plans and reasons are. All were supportive. Tomorrow I plan to email all my employees about my health and surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I only told my family and just a few close friends that I was having bypass prior to surgery. Once the surgery was over I pretty much shared with everyone that comments on my weight loss. I want to be completely up front with everyone. I'm not ashamed nor embarrassed that I had the surgery. I know over the last 4 months I have worked really hard and am so proud of my lifestyle change. Everyone is really supportive!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×