Since the topic was so eloquently brought up, I thought I would share MY reason for not telling the public at large about my decision to have WLS. No, I am not ashamed, embarrassed nor am I being dishonest with myself. I am not protecting myself from ridicule or dissension and I do not care if my decision is a popular one or unpopular. I know I've shared this before, so pardon me if I bore you with a repeat.

I am a mom, a wife and a successful business owner. I am the VP of my HOA, I have held dozens of positions on the PTA both locally and nationally. I work with my sorority undergrad group, I volunteer at a women's shelter, I work with special needs children. I do mud runs, zumba and am a training instructor at my martial arts school. I organize charity 5ks, lock ins and I used to be a girl scout leader. I was a theater major before I wizened up about my talents and now I am a theater mom. I can't sing, but I can dance when I've had a few cocktails. I can cross one eye while leaving the other one straight. I've been skiing double black diamonds all my life and I am a diamond certified gemologist. I am currently writing a book on my field of business. I have broken my nose 4 times doing stupid things and still don't have a bump. I had a brain tumor. Both of my kids attend special high schools for extremely gifted children and they obviously get it from me, not my husband whom I've been married to for 20 years. I drive a minivan but I prefer to go offroading in a jeep. I am white Water certified in a kayak and a canoe. I have a wicked sense of humor and I hug strangers randomly. I am pro-choice, a libertarian, and a gay right's advocate. I could bore you with more, but I am sure that is more than enough to digest for ow.

I am *so much more* than someone who has had WLS. I would much prefer to learn about the person I am with than explain what a sleeve is. I don't care for my weight loss to be the center of conversation every time I see someone nor do I feel the need to be the advocate for such a personal decision.

When people ask, I tell them the truth. I sought the advice of a doctor and nutritionist. I follow a low carb, high Protein diet. I shake my ass a *lot*. I am eating healthier and have made the right choices for *me* to be successful at weight loss. I owe no one any more than that.

It is up to me to choose how I want to be defined. My choice is NOT as a WLS patient. If you choose differently, so be it. I will not judge you or shame you nor will I try to decide for you. Your body, your choice. Run with it.

@@LipstickLady,

You did all that fat???? Dang!

Did you have co-morbid conditions? Or was your surgery more to avoid them down the line? Mobility certainly did not seem to be an issue.

I'm way more impressed by your accomplishments than your surgery! But I guess that was the point, huh? LOL

Cheers!

Hahahaha! Yes, I did all that and more fat. No co morbidities but I realized my joints wouldn't last forever. I've picked up the pace a lot and the recovery time is much shorter, so I'm thrilled I made the WLS decision.

I bought a tool, I am using it successfully. Hmmm... Should we "out" all the men who use Viagra? Make them loud and proud? Maybe women who need lubricants? Why not be proud out loud if you have a little padding in your bra or a fake breast due to breast cancer? I know! Let's get those people who have had to have lip hair removed or women who have had hair transplants to let the public know, too! Plastic surgery to remove a nasty mole or fix a birth defect? Shout it out! It's the world's business, right?

<eye roll>

It's a hard decision whether to tell or not. For me I have told my family I am considering it and just a few close friends. When I told my best friend I got the oddest response of " oh, gonna take the easy road huh? Well I don't qualify for it..." I'm chalking that comment up to jealousy or regret because obviously she has looked into it for herself! IF someone comes out and asks me I'm not one to lie, so I will probably fess up. Their reaction to the news will gauge if they remain my friend or not!

There are some people I choose not to share my intention on surgery. For the most part, I have shared with those whose opinions I value. For those that I do not share with, in large part had to do with not wanting to hear folk lore about the surgery. In the end, the experience I have will be mine and honestly, as much as I value hearing from the folks on this board, I really don't want to hear from people who are negative by nature. It doesn't serve them or me well.

Since the subject came up again....

So I just saw this and I love it. I never thought how telling someone about WLS could make it almost define you to that person. You don't owe anyone any explanation. It is your body. I just think I would feel almost guilty for omitting it. But I am not judging you or anyone who feels different from me. Cheers.