Who did you tell about your surgery?

I haven't really talked about this to anyone yet. My mom is driving me on Monday, so she knows....but that's about it. I wanna tell my work best friend, since we sit next to each other, eat together, and talk all day long. Just not sure....

Everybody including the UPS driver.

_{LOL @ 2muchfun! OMG every body?!?!?}

I just told the people that needed to know in the beginning, at work and at home. Gradually word spread and I'm ok with that. No awkward questions yet, just I noticed people who know watch me when I eat and think something is wrong with the food. Nope, just eating much, much slower and smaller amounts is all.

_{LOL @ 2muchfun! OMG every body?!?!?}

Yup! 3 days post surgery he UPS guy was delivering a package and I raised my shirt and said, "look what I did"!! Yeah, I'm a dork that way. Looking back I wish I would have been more discreet.

My husband. Once said, you can't take it back. I don't regret that decision. I t was difficult enough to have the spot light on me once the weight was gone, without having to listen to people make remarks, or watch everything I eat or don't eat. It's no ones business, it really was the beginning of taking myself back, if that makes any sense.

Hope you find what works best for you!

Tell fewer people than you think you want to. I told five at first. Later added a few more. I do not welcome the Peanut Gallery's opinions.

@@ChubMuffin

Once you tell, you cannot untell. How supportive is your coworker? Will she blab to everyone in the office? if she does that, how comfortable are you with it? Will she resent you for "changing" your routine with her? She'll notice that you're eating differently, that's for sure. If you don't tell the truth, you'll have to lie about things. Will she give you grief about it and judge you for it? Only you can guess that.

I chose NOT to tell, and I'm glad I did. People at my job are super gossipy and judgy and would probably accuse me of "taking the easy way out". Instead, they cheer me on. I just tell them that I'm on a low carb diet (true) and that I run (true too).

This is the first big secret I have ever kept to myself. I kinda feel proud because it's part of me taking back control of my life.

I shared with only the people closest to me, and they are a strong support system. I opted for this approach because I don't want anyone watching me, trying to figure out how much weight I have lost, forming opinions on why I haven't lost more, or any other unwelcome & unneeded negative or judgmental energy. It's enough of a challenge without a lot of other white noise. For me, I need to also be mentally healthy & I want to enjoy my journey!

Prior to the surgery, no one knew I was going to have it except for my husband and children who were kind and supportive and my sister who was OK with me having the band but worried about the surgery. I didn't want my mother or mother-in-law to know ever because they are weight obsessed and I didn't want them to drive me crazy asking me about my weight loss all of the time. I ended up having to tell them because they needed to know why I was avoiding them when I was in the hospital and recuperating. I was right, they are driving me crazy asking me about my weight loss every day which is very interesting because they did not talk to me every day before the procedure. Why is weight is so important to some people?

Besides them, I had to tell the people at work many of which I have lunch with daily. They needed an explanation of why I was out two weeks for the surgery and recovery and why I was eating only liquids for 4 weeks. My coworkers were overall very supportive. Even people that I did not expect to be. Many people have come asking me about the procedure because either they or a loved one was thinking about having it. Most people don't mention it. Not one person has made me uncomfortable yet.

I was banded almost a month ago.

I discussed it first with my husband. My two teens know - just for simplicity sake. The only other person who knows is my boss. She directly asked me and I trust her. I missed Thanksgiving to avoid the issues of food quantity.

Thank you everyone for all the awesome comments! I love hearing all your stories! I am a pretty quiet person so this makes me feel so much better hearing how you handled this adventure.

I did end up telling my sister last night, and she was so happy for me. She said she thinks that this will be a good push for us to get our parents healthier and get some clean cooking in the house!

I really appreciate everyone sharing with me!!

I told my daughters, one of which was with me during and after. I didn't tell my mom. She's too self-absorbed. Dad doesn't need to know @ 87yo, why bother?

At work, I think some people know. I discussed it with 1 co-worker who was banded, on the QT, though I don't know just how QT it's really been. With so many other surgeries, I was out of work for extended periods & the last time I returned I was "tiny" (their words). One woman who really doesn't like me, & I don't like her- asked me, "I HAVE to ask: HOW did you do it?" I told her every time I wanted to eat something I shouldn't, "I pictured your face and lost my appetite." OK, not-so nice but she was just being nosey & wanted something to gossip/ tear me down over. None of her business, IMO.

Not too many others know. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed about it. Early on, I did do a presentation of before/after and what I did, to a group of WL patients and patients in waiting. I don't mind helping others through my experience. I tend to keep my personal info close to the breast, in general. That's just me.

Once it became obvious that I was losing weight, people would comment on it and of course ask what I was doing. I am not good at lying or even editing the truth so I just came out and said I had WLS.

Fortunately, feedback has been very positive so I haven't had many issues with 'the stinkeye'. Then there is my mother...who told every frickin' person she knew including the financial advisor we share. Why oh why did she tell him? It's too late now to take it back so I deal with it, but I wish she hadn't told everyone on the planet.. Just this past summer, one of her neighbors on the floor of her building saw me in the hallway waiting for the elevator and asked me how I was feeling as she also knew I had WLS. Really? Oh well....

I told my 2 children that live local and not the other 2. I told my 2 best friends and one other coworker. The coworker took care of the rest. It's no longer a secret...and I'm good with that. Kinda helps me keep on the straight and narrow

It's been a varying group I tell. My work BFF has been super as well as many other coworkers. My hubby has been with me all the way as has my family. I've had a couple people react weird. But mostly everyone has been awesome.