So I have been on my pre-op journey since November 2013 and have been working slowly towards getting my requirements done. I have finally finished everything and was given a date of August 18, 2014. As I'm preparing for my surgery date and getting business in order for the hospital stay and care during my days out of work, I've realized that I haven't told many people about my up and coming surgery. My mother knows, a friend who has had her own successful journey knows, and maybe 2 or 3 other people know and I really have no interest in telling anyone else about it. I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with the issue of being almost secretive about this process and if it was intentionally kept quiet or if it just wasn't a big deal to be discussed?

Edited July 14, 201412 yr by CrystalJae

I started my journey jan 2014 and will be having surgery sep 15. I went and told all my family and close friends . I think I would feel better them knowing and not asking if I'm sick or how I lost (projected weight loss ) or loosing weight without them thinking I have a serious ill ness .

For those that said they didn't tell and are post op..... How do you explain such drastic weight loss?

I say "I got some things straightened out with my doctor that I've been working on. That helped me feel better and I could start working out. I've reduced my portion sizes and started eating less processed foods. I've worked really hard at diet and exercise."

That usually does it.

@@ChaoticBliss

Hi.....I'm planning the same strategy for my procedure. Only telling my Husband. Did you have a lot of inquiries when your weight started coming off really quickly? I don't want to deal with people monitoring my food intake or making judgmental comments. This battle (lifelong obesity) is hard enough without mean or judgmental comments.

Just wondering what you said to those who noticed such a rapid weight loss?

@@orlando

OMG........I am TOTALLY on board with your comments. My husband is getting on my nerves telling me we need to inform our 3 sons before surgery. It would be all over the internet. I basically feel that most people DON'T HANDLE INFORMATION WELL. For this reason, I will tell NO ONE but my husband. Don't want the questions about how much weight I've lost or prying eyes monitoring and commenting on what is on my dinner plate.

One question: What will you say when people comment on the RAPID pace of your weight loss? That is the only concern i have. Don't know yet what I'll say. (I start stuttering and stammering if I'm trying to "spin" a story)

I'm seeing my surgeon next week.. I have only told my mother and 2 other friends who have experienced the procedure also knows. I started a go fund me account for the spare $5,700 ill need to pay out after insurance .. And accidentally posted it on my Facebook.. ( they wanted me to log in via Facebook) it was up for a couple of hours. I have few women asking.. Is there any other options other than surgery.. And some concerned.. That's why i don't want to make it public. I'm also a public figure in my town so want to just look fabulous and feel fabulous. :-) I'm going to try and keep it to myself.

There is only 5 people who know about my up coming day my husband, the surgeon, pulmonary, my family dr. and the psych dr.I am keeping it to myself as I don't want to hear negative thoughts as I have lived with all my life.

Sounds like a very sensible idea. :-)

Hello!

I have only told my husband, our two sons, my best friends and a few people at work. I have not said a word to my 5 siblings or my in-laws.

I guess I haven't said anything because I usually hear - oh, you're not that heavy! Please I don't need to hear that anymore! I want to be healthier!!!

I am just waiting for a surgery date.

@@FedUpwithBeingFat I have been very fortunate with not getting too many questions. I eat smaller portions of course but friends and extended family don't notice. In fact because I eat every two to three hours people joke that I am always eating and lost weight anyway. What they don't understand is my portions are much smaller than the norm. My kids notice most but I laugh it off and tell them I am not going to starve. I always carry a to go box from every restaurant and no one thinks anything of it. When they ask me I just explain exercise and portion control. I also did a lot of self help reading on normal eating and acknowledging why I eat, sometimes I mention that. The sleeve was a tool to accomplish my goals, but it was those other things also that helped me succeed. I also have not faced as many questions because I was a serial yoyo'er so losing weight was not as surprising s the keeping it off will be.

I haven't regretted my decision not to tell anyone one bit. My husband and these forums have been great support system. Good luck with your surgery!