I have decided to keep my surgery a secret. Major reason for keeping it a secret is lack of understanding and all the misconceptions. I don't like to justify myself, plus I am pretty private.

so my question is, if it does come out that I had surgery, what can I tell them that would jive with a VSG? gerd surgery? haital hernia repair? I need something good, if it comes up.

I am a week out of surgery now and have this week off of work. no one knows why I took off time. told them it was just a staycation. told no family. but I had auto reply on my work e-mail and sister (with a mouth the size of texas) sent me an e-mail to work and had my auto reply kick back to her. Now she knows that I was off..... she asked if I was on vacation and I replied "yup". hopefully it can die there.... but if not.

blame HIPPA...haha Tell them "Due to HIPPA I am not at liberty to say" and change the subject. lol people are so nosy, eh?!?!

I said girl surgery.. and when they ask how I am loosing so fast I tell them - a major lifestyle change

I actually had a hiatal hernia repair during my sleeve surgery so I just tell people that, and omit the rest. Then when they ask why I'm not eating I say because of the location of the hernia I have to be careful not to irritate the incisions... That's also why I'm losing weight so fast and I think I'll use this issue to kickstart a new healthier lifestyle. All true but they don't need to know ALL the details. But you will need at least one person to speak with openly. I guess that's where we come in!

Staycation is enough I think. When people start to ask about your weight loss you can tell the truth just not the WHOLE truth, and say you are on low calorie low carb diet which is true. Your life your business!

I have told no one. I am 3 months out and have lost 44 pounds. Yes it is showing. My friends and neighbors are noticing, but they are also noticing that I walk over 11 miles each day! And when I do eat with them they see I have cut way back on food portions. I tell them simply I am limiting my food intake and eliminating carbs as much as possible. Other then that it is none of their business. It is my body and my life.

@@jjinWA 11 miles a day. kick ass!!! so far so good, I have been back to work, seen family. I just swallow the pain and hide it. try to live normal.

Hernia repair sounds good, you can have hernias in different places and even have the same one repaired twice so you are covered with that one. Gallbladder more difficult if you actually need it removed later. I told everyone about my first surgery and this time around only my real close network knows. I figure others are not close enough to insist if I tell them I took a few days off.

I've had an interesting experience telling people about my surgery. I've been matter of fact, I had a vertical gastric sleeve and hernia repair. No one says anything other than hope you are feeling better. I think most people have no idea what a sleeve is so just saying what it is gives them enough info to move on. I don't say it is a WLS or anything. I've been amazed people aren't more curious. Having said that, just saying you had a hernia repair would work too. Good luck!

Sleeve2bFree ... that's tough dealing with family members who are idiots.

That's precisely why I didn't tell any of my family. I didn't want to EVER have to have any of those conversations.

It's inspired my sister to get back in the gym & others around me to pay closer attention to their calories. All though their motives may have more to do with not wanting to see me lose the weight before them ( which I find amusing).

Also, I found that after 15 years my N-laws don't really know me at all. I've had to give up my career, my life, my talents, I've been in & out of the hospital for numerous tests & procedures, I can't work & am on disability (& through all this gaining weight). MY husband & I have kept them informed every step of the way but yet, I guess they've never cared enough to listen. Since the surgery some seem to care more and others seem to care less. None the less, God has used the bad for good.

Through it all it builds character and strength. And I am learning to be thankful for my trials.

I told my work that I am having a hiatal hernia repair

I am 67 and I can't be bothered telling half truths. To mince words means those people who presumably would not be in favor of my decision, have an opinion that counts. They do not. In my mind, I am proud to take this step. I am not ashamed to admit I need surgical help. Anyone who ventures a negative opinion, I listen to politely ... the first time. After that, if they bother me with their unsolicited opinions, I tell them that they are welcome not to have the surgery if they like.

These people often are bent on undermining your confidence and sabotaging your weightloss. Maybe it is unconscious, maybe not. I expect to loose friends because I will be slimmer than they are. So what?

My boss is a judgmental jerk who has actually told me I need to exercise more and lose weight, and then my colitis will go away, among other things. Without my asking for his opinion, btw. So I told him I was "having surgery" and would be out for two weeks but didn't tell him what it was. I am actually a little worried about returning to work because it's going to be hard to hide my new eating habits. He doesn't even leave us alone in the break room. Anyone else ever go through this?

I forgot to mention I had the surgery 9/15 and am down 15lbs. I go back to work in one week.

I explained that I was eating purees because my stomach was 'messed about' by the hernia repair. Not really a lie, as my hernia was severe and a third of my stomach was in my chest cavity. Eugh. It is getting harder now though I'm trying to convince everyone that I'm recovered yet still eating mush. I'm just shrugging it off for now.

My plan is to tell people who inquire about weight loss I'm doing a lot of hard work and participating in an intensive medically supervised program, which is the absolute truth since the surgery is only a small part of the program I'm going through.

I LOVE this! This is what I am going to use!