My surgery is march 20th. I'm kind of an open book and I have told people that I'm having the sleeve. As I expected some were excited for me, some were polite, and some close concerned friends tried to talk me out of it. Like I said I expected all of this. But some people have been downright rude. Today I went to get baseline bloodwork done. The staff at my lab know me due to my other illnesses. So the lab technician was commenting that this is not the usual test that I get. So I told her it's because I'm having weight loss surgery. She actually said "oh no!" Than told me a horror story of someone she knows who had it done, who is very sick now. I was polite and said oh that's ashame. Then she asked me if I have tried diet and excercise. Ummm no, never even crossed my mind! I remained polite and stated that I crossfit three times a week.

It just really annoys me that people make assumptions about me because of my weight. I'm sure you all have similar stories.

My date is March 20th also (assuming my insurance approval comes through - it was submitted yesterday). I struggle with the same thing. I don't want to lie about having it and am not ashamed to tell people that I had weightloss surgery but I have no idea how to handle the comments I get. I even had one person tell me, they had a friend of a friend of a friend who had ta sleeve and grew a second stomach. What can you say to that except that they need to do some research before they say ignorant things. I'm just left shaking my head….

Ugh ignorance is annoying.

I started the program last year and quit. I just started up again and have decided not to tell anyone about it until after I have the surgery. Only two people know, my husband and a girl I met at the weight loss seminar. I came to this decision because my mother in law was constantly nagging me about that dangerous stomach surgery and my Bff is always trying to convince me to save my money because I can lose 184 pounds in no time by going to the gym. She doesn't realize I just had my sixth back surgery and I really can't do any exercise besides walking. She only needs to lose like 30 pounds. Trying to explain to her that when you are morbidly obese weight loss on your own is not the easiest of tasks.

I wish I was as open as you, I've been super picky about who I tell and some people (my mother) don't understand why. Its because people are mean and most don't understand unless they have been in your shoes.

I have had some people say positive and some negative from friends and family. I tell the negative ones... Thank you for your comments and concerns, but I'm not doing this for you.. I am doing this for me.

I am also telling a few PPL. I feel that everyone thinks it's easy to go to the Gym and work it off but it's not. Everyone does what they feel is right and if our choice is this then so be it. We'll meet y'all in the gym.

My family was all for wls in the beginning, but once they realized I got realllly serious about it, they went into panic mode. As a matter of fact, they told encourage me to look into it. Since a family friend had great success with it. But now the family friend is obsessed with losing more weight. And my family said she looks sickly and unhealthy

Plus she looks like she aged 10-15yrs..I know it's coming from a place of love and concerned. I have already made up my mind. Praying to God he protect me during surgery and post-op, and for a speedy recovery. My mom even said she's willing to pay for a personal trainer for me..and I'm not big enough for surgery. (240lbs)..smh..they know all to well how my self esteem is soooooo low cause of my weight..my mom even told me a coworker in her job had wls & her husband left her cause she got so sickly and unhealthy looking. She said she's afraid my husband will feel the same if I look sickly. That really hurts!

I'm having surgery March 20, too! I'm not telling ANYONE except my mom. I'm in law enforcement and work in an office full of dudes that gossip like old ladies! Luckily I currently live far away from my family and friends so I'm just going to sneak off this island for 10 days. I've already started cleaning up my diet so once the weight starts coming off I'll attribute it to clean eating and exercise- which will be true!

I only see my family and friends once a year at most so next time I go home it'll be a shock.

Tomorrow is my surgery and as recent as yesterday my boss asked me if I was really sure this surgery is what I wanted to do. UGH!!! I think he has good intentions but just shut up please.

I'm scheduled for the 21st. I have only told my parents, husband, and kids. They all support my decision. I don't want the judgement from people who really don't know me and don't walk in my shoes. This is not an easy decision to make. I believe a majority of us are not doing this for vanity, it's about are health.

Almost everyone in my close circle has been supportive of the surgery. One friend had legitimate concerns and she expressed them politely. It's the people outside of my circle who have been a problem.

A lot of people are idiots and have no clue about WLS. It never even occurred to me to tell anyone outside of DH and my grown kids. Doubt I ever will. That's just me. My medical history is private. I have no patience for morons who say stupid things like "have you ever tried diet and exercise." Sheesh.

Those of you who are not telling people, what do you plan to say when you get asked a million times about how you did it?

I find it hard to hide because I work in surgery where I'm gonna to have my procedure done. I was reluctant to tell people. But the people that know have been very nice and supportive. I'm grateful. In the end it's only what matters to you and how you feel. Stay strong and tell whomever you want. It's def all your choice. Just don't let anyone make you feel like you're making the wrong decision, it's yours and only you know if it's right for you. :-) best of luck.

Edited March 6, 201412 yr by SliminDownThick

I understand! I am a RN and even tho my surgery isn't being done at the hospital I work at, I had most of my testing done there! At first I didn't want anyone to know but as I have gotten farther into the process I don't care.

I have lost quite a bit if weight in the 6 month wait plus lost about 30 lbs before I started! I have some supportive people but many if my coworkers are asking me why I am doing it since I have lost so much weight! I know I am not doing it for them, I am doing it for myself and my girls but it is frustrating!

You just need to remember your reasons for doing it and no matter what you do, there will always be difficult or disapproving people! Those are the people you either cut out of your life or politely listen to and move on! It is your life, weight, health, & so on; therefore it is YOUR decision and yours alone!!