Hey May Sleevers, what are your attitudes for sharing what we have done to assist in our weight loss endeavors? Are we loud and proud Sleevers or silent but successful Sleevers?

I had initially only told my immediate family, my best friend and boss. However, since I was off work for 5 weeks so many people are/were concerned they are asking how I am doing, noticing the wright loss and asking what kind of surgery I had. So far I still have not explained what I've had done but I feel bad because I am usually very transparent in my discussions with my staff and colleagues at work. Feel like I could start yo open up but holding off just yet. Needed to feel very secure first I think....

I have opened up more as the weeks have gone by. I am more likely to share my surgery story with someone who is heavy after they comment about my weight loss and ask how I am doing it. Frankly, I would not have made this awesome decision if others hadn't shared it with me when I asked how they were losing weight. I feel that I need to "pay it forward" some. Since I had my sleeve, one other friend decided to have the surgery and did so 6 weeks after me, and another friend has a pre-op consult in 2 weeks. A third friend is in the contemplation phase and says she is planning to set up her pre-op consult once she finished moving into her new house. If an obese friend or acquaintance asks about it, I know that they are hurting as much as I was and desparate to find a solution. My solution may not be the same one they choose, but I am willign to share my story and the reasons I made this choice.

If my friends and acquaintances hadn't gone out on a limb and shared their surgery story with me, I would not have taken this step. I am proud of my decision to boldly take a different road than I was on before. My children know, although I have focused on the getting healthy part of the surgery rather than weight loss. My sister is not supportive at all, says its cheating to have surgery, and refuses to talk to me about the weight loss or the surgery at all.

I am headed to a family reunion next week on my husband's side, and I will likely not share my story with anyone there. When they comment and ask, I will tell them that I am being monitored by a physician and eating very high Protein, very low carb and exercising. I haven't seen most of them in a long time, so they are not likely to be struck by the rapidity of the weight loss. My children may tell someone at the reunion about the surgery, because I am not going to make them think it is something to be ashamed of. If that happens, I will deal with it. I am proud of my decision.

All of my co-workers know, but I will likely not tell the university students I teach about my procedure. I have seen some of them this summer and have given the "seeing a doc, high protein, low carb and exercise" answer since they comment on the drastic change in my appearance so quickly. Telling them just seems a little too personal.

Everyone has to consider their own situation about how much and whether or not to tell. Each person has to decide what will work for them in their own environment.

Peace