How did you approach telling people? I've told my fiance, he is on board "whatever makes me happy and healthy" and my mom is on board but the rest of my family is SUPER into fitness and thinks diet and exercise is always enough and I'm sure they will think I'm just lazy. Also my job, I need to tell them for the recovery time off but I don't need to tell why....but should I? I work in a small office of 20 people and I'm nervous for reactions. I've told my direct boss, since she and I workout together she knows and understands.

My first appointment/consult is on the 12th of May.

I have been very fortunate for the most part. A coworker had the same procedure back in August, and I saw how supportive my team was with her. As a result, I'm sharing my journey with anyone at work who cares to ask. My cubby mate asks all kinds of questions because she genuinely wants to know how to be supportive in the best way possible. My team also eats together A LOT, so I knew there would be questions when my eating habits suddenly change.

My family was actually harder to tell. I had contemplated the surgery several years ago, and I let their concerns talk me out of it. This time, I was VERY firm in my delivery of the decision. They expressed their concerns, but they ultimately accepted my decision. My mom attended a nutritional session with me, so she could understand how I have to eat from now on. She has shared with her friends and church community. They've all been very supportive.

I didn't tell my church group the specifics of the surgery. By the point I decided to tell them anything, I was close enough to surgery, I didn't want to hear any horror stories. They know I had abdominal surgery. As I lose weight, if I get questions, I'll decide then how to answer.

I guess I figure the more support the better, and I'll just tune out the debbie downers.

Best of luck to you.

I'm a widow and have been on-line dating. I told a man that I had gotten very close to. He started with, "Why would you do that? You look great."

When I told him that while I have no problem with the way I look, I have lots of problems with the way I feel. I want to watch my grandchildren grow up and see great grandchildren. That won't happen if I continue where I'm at.

His next thing was, "I hope you're not going to be one of those people that can only eat a thimbleful of food at a time."

When I told him, yeah, that was going to be me, he disappeared. His loss. Not mine.

Now I tell any guy that contacts me that I'm having the surgery and if they want a fat girl to just keep on walkin' because I'm not stoppin',