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Anyone not tell family?



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I told my mom because I needed her help with my kids while I went to Mexico. She lives 3000 miles away but flew in to help me. I didn't tell anyone else and didn't want to. Well my mother has made the decision for me to tell the fricking world. I'm so mad and could just strangle her big I guess I should have known as she has the biggest mouth ever the woman cannot keep anything to herself even if you tell her to. So now it seems even my co workers know and how that happened is beyond me. Tales grow taller on down the line. So my advice is if you don't want anybody to know don't tell anybody. Or just those who you can really trust.

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Only my husband knows. Didn't tell my kids or parents.

Same here. Hubby only knows. No parents or kids

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I am scheduled for surgery in May, self-pay in Mexico. I don't plan on anyone but my husband knowing. I'm 51 years old, 5'1" with a large frame, and weigh 187 lbs. I am sure people would judge me because they think I'm not overweight enough to offset the risks of surgery. Well, I'm obese, and without surgical intervention that will never change. I'm pre-hypertensive and have been hypothyroid for 14 years, just went through menopause which added more weight. Yes, I should be able to lose the weight with diet and exercise. I probably could, but I know from experience I can't KEEP it off. I see no reason why I shouldn't prevent future medical problems by using this tool to help me. But, even my husband says "Oh if you would just get out and walk a few miles a day you'd be fine". No one but an obese person understands the unhappiness, frustration, and even shame of being obese. I'm tired of being obese, and tired of trying to justify my weight to myself and others. I refuse to even discuss this surgery with friends or family. Sorry for the rant, but I think we should be able keep our surgery private for as long as we want.

Unhappiness, frustration, shame is what I deal with on a daily base..I hate going out..cause I know everything don't fit in my closet. .good thing I wear scrubs to work. .always with a sweater to cover up. My sisters and a couple of us friends doing a weight loss challenge. They all losing weight except for me..only my sisters know I will have WLS, haven't told my friends. .I know for a fact they will think I not big enough (243) 5'4..my sister also don't support my decision. .they don't bring it up. I don't also..it funny cause one of my sister. Was all for it in the beginning of the process. Even encourage me to look into it. Cause sh know for years I have problems losing weight. .now she is against it..I feel so hurt cause I have n friends or family to tell my process and I was approved. Really hurt especially since my mom and one of my sister was the ones that encouraged me in the beginning. .glad my husband told me he will support me 100%.

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I did not tell my sons or their wives. I only told a few close friends 2 of which had the RNY, I had the sleeve. If someone says I lost weight I just say thank you. If they ask how I just say I cut my eating portions way down and doing low carbs. I leave it at that. I'm 5ft 3 and weighed 199. Just made the 35 BMI for surgery. In the hosp one CNA told me I didn't look big enough for the surgery. We all carry our weight differently and I knew the extra weight was affecting my health. Since surgery my BP is normal, my cholesterol has gone down and I feel lighter after 17 lbs.

I researched a lot and picked a Dr who was at the top in her field. I've had no problems since surgery. I feel good. I get fatigued but as one Dr said it will get better after 3 mo's. Make sure the Dr you choose is one of the best your health and life depend on it.

I gave this to myself for my birthday. I turned 67 last week. Yep, I'm an older boomer but going to be one with a healthy weight and body.

Good luck.

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My husband and youngest son who still lives at home know and they are the only ones I told. The family never asked why I gained weight or what was behind it so why tell them about how and what I am doing to loose it.

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I have only told my husband, two sons, mother and brother. I now really wish I had never told my mother and brother. I live a distance from the rest of my family so the losses will seem huge to them but as other posters have said- When asked I will say I am low carbing with Portion Control. I just want this to me my journey for now.

Edited by BeeLee37

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I only told my husband and two grown kids, no one else in the family. Too much drama. So glad I chose to stay quiet, it's been great, especially when I read about all the cr@p other people on here post about their family issues with WLS. The surgery is hard enough.

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Only my husband and youngest son know. The son knows because he lives with us. Our oldest and daughter in law have not been informed. No family, no friends. Its just personal and it is not anyone's business besides mine and who I choose to share with.

You don't owe anyone any kind of explanation. Period.

Do what is right for you.

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Hearing all your stories is inspiring; thank you all for posting. Choosing WLS was a tough decision for me, and this board has helped me feel better about it.

Lenae

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I started my journey 6/13, and was sleeved 3/14. Only people I told was my mom, husband, 1sister, and two older kids.

I have two other sisters and family who I decided not to tell. I do not intend on telling them either. Just my personal choice because I'm not really close. My reasoning, you didn't care enough to intervene when I was obese, why include you in my choice to do something about it??

I don't need negative nannies (family/friends/acquaintances) in my life passing judgement or asking me questions I don't care to respond to. They can see my success from the sideline ;).

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I told my husband an a few friends. I did not tell my brother. He lost a ton of weight without surgery and has turned into an exercise fanatic. He documents every bite he eats and has kept his weight off for 8 or 9 years. He would be one to say 'if I could lose it without surgery, why did you have the surgery'. He asked me the other day how much weight I lost. I told him, but I didn't mention that 25% of that was lost after surgery.

I won't see him for a few months. I'll see what I decide to say when I see him. Right now, I'm not up to being judged; and that's what I think would happen with him.

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Initially I told my parents. Then bro and sis in law. One close friend. Didn't tell other brother who lives out of state. Also didn't want to be judged since he is also a diet and exercise fanatic. I felt bad at first for not telling more people, but then decided it did this for me and not them. I'm ok with it.

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UPDATE> after meeting with the surgeon for the first time today we just told our 17 yr old son. Since we are hoping to have this done at the same time (my husband and I) and will be in the hospital for 2 nights he will need to step up and be 'guardian' of our 10 yr old twins during that time. He drives so he can take them places and come visit us. This may change though and we can call my mother in law to come for a visit but I'd rather her not. It would stress me out too much.

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Only my husband knows and that's how it will stay. People are too judge mental and mouthy and I know that it is better this way.

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I told my fiancé and my parents that's it. I didn't want future mother in law to know because she has made nasty comments about wls. And I didn't tell my siblings because frankly we aren't very close. I told my closest friend and my son so a total of five people know. I'm very private and don't like to put myself out there. It hasn't caused any issues at all everyone just thinks I'm doing calorie control and exercise. No one has said it's suspicious. I'm almost at goal, have lost 120 pounds and neither sibling has commented on the loss. So that makes me feel even more confirmed in my decision to keep it private.

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    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.
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