male only "What are you doing?!"

[smoothazz 72]

I've hit a tipping point where even the densest person in my life can't help but notice my weight loss. I've had a bunch of people coming up to me to say "You've lost weight! What are you doing?!!"

I told a couple of people what I did early on and then spent 30 minutes defending why VSG was good for me and why doing it in Mexico wasn't a death wish. That cured me of giving a damn about giving anyone the backstory.

So, now when I get the "What are you doing?!!" question, I (truthfully) say "Well, I dramatically changed my diet and became much more active." When they asked what I did with my diet I say, "I cut out soda, most carbs, sugar, etc. and emphasize Protein. I also reduced my portion sizes." I try to leave it at that.

How do you respond when asked about your weight loss? Do you openly talk about having surgery?

[kd5wzr 108]

I tell them I had weight loss surgery. I'm a year in and so far haven't encountered a single negative reaction, so maybe I'm lucky. If I did encounter a negative reaction, I don't expect to change anything because of it. I did what I did for me; I don't really care what anyone else thinks.

[Mrs.RRn 2,109]

"I'm just freaking awesome! And why aren't you??"

Kidding.

I've been very open and honest about my surgery. Which is easier in some instances because I don't have to make up anything. The truth is always easier. But yes, some people are very harsh & even down right mean. It's a lot easier at 2 yrs out bc I look and feel amazing & I can just tell them to kiss it.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

You don't have to lie, but you don't have to tell everything you know.

[Daisee68 2,493]

Actually I was just coming on here to post how blessed I have been in the support and response from people. Today I was eating in the breakroom at work and someone asked how I could eat just a small bowl of refried Beans (still on puree). I told them I had gastric bypass. There were 4 people in there who didn't know and 1 who did. They were SO incredibly supportive and interested. And these aren't even folks I know that well. I did say "Now that doesn't give you the right to question every bite a take". I laughed and said only my good friend could tell me that. So one of them said they would go tell her if they saw me eating something I shouldn't. They were just joking of course, but seriously, my family has been amazing but boy did I leave their boosted and loved. So, what am I doing? Telling everyone! I am not embarrassed at all and have only had 1 negative response luckily - and I knew that was what she would say. She's not the boss of me, so I don't care! It is certainly an individual decision but I say don't be afraid of telling. Be selective if you feel necessary but mostly you are right, who cares what they think anyway?!

[smoothazz 72]

Maybe I've just had bad luck or maybe it's just the sort of people I hang around with!

[Daisee68 2,493]

I am truly sorry you have had that experience. Know that everyone on here will support you, so if you don't want to tell anyone else - don't. Come tell us! We will give you the boost you need!

Edited June 25, 2015 by Daisee68

[VDB 800]

I was openly honest with all comers about the fact that I was going to have surgery. I decided that when weight loss became obvious I would be transparent with those who asked questions, if they were kind people. If they were people with bad info about WLS, I would keep it short or just polite unless they were a**h***s.

Now, at almost 11 weeks out and close to 70#, it is becoming noticeable. When they ask about if I lost weight, I just say (after patting my stomach) "I got my internal plumbing redone with WLS", or "Al Roker and I have something in common!". If they want more info, I explain what gastric bypass entails.

Today at the public pool where I swim 3x a week, someone who knew I had WLS surgery said "Looking good!". Most (90%) are appropriate. Some of my many relatives got a bit irritating by asking every time they see me (which is almost daily) "How much have you lost?" . Now I just say "Not sure, don't weigh frequently, but feeling healthy!". Most get the idea.

[B-52 7,113]

I tell (told) them that I don't eat as near as much as I used to, no longer eat meat, anything made from flour like breads, Pasta cake, etc., I concentrate on Protein first, stay away from anything processed. I invested in a quality blender/juicer that I use for my Breakfast everyday...no exceptions, and drink Water all day long.

Also go to the gym at 5am and workout (run) on an empty stomach to burn stored fat....

It's a new lifestyle...not a diet per say...so no calorie counting and all that stuff....No Mas!

[VDB 800]

B-52, what do you juice in the morning? I have a good juicer but have not used it since the surgery, focusing on Protein such as egg whites in the am. Thanks, John

[B-52 7,113]

B-52, what do you juice in the morning? I have a good juicer but have not used it since the surgery, focusing on Protein such as egg whites in the am. Thanks, John

Whatever your recipe, just add a scoop of whey protein such as Muscle Milk or any other of the hundred's on the market....add an ice cube in the summer also.

[enjoyinglife 313]

I am open and honest with people about having had WLS.

[parisshel 1,892]

I always give credit to my WLS. I feel it is only fair. If I were to leave out this essential tool, I might make the other person feel bad, as if he/she couldn't do it "like me." It's so very rare to have significant weight loss/sustainable weight loss without WLS, so giving credit to a real and useful tool is important to me. Omitting WLS in my story (such as it is; I'm hardly a success) wouldn't feel right to me. I would never want another overweight person to walk away from me thinking I did this through sheer willpower.

[Big Guy 77 11]

If someone notices enough to ask, I tell them. Even a neighbor I've never spoken to before stopped me out of nowhere and asked me how much weight I lost. I told him and he asked how I did it. I told him I had surgery to get me started but it's a lot of hard work and eating the right things. In other words, I told the truth.

[Eli Alexander 316]

I'm just under 6 months post surgery and recently moved to a new town, new job, new profession, going back to school, and don't know a single person in my town. So, although I was very transparent in my last location, I just decided I would start life here as a normal sized person, not having to go into the explanation. I have told one person and that was because they were also fat, and I wanted them to have the information. But the other students in my courses, or fellow employees at work, they don't need to know.

I was at a pub with a few of them after class one day (iced tea and salad) and they saw my ID when I opened up my wallet. Picture of me, not even close to my heaviest, but about 60lbs heavier then today. And they were all amazed how much I'd lost. I just told them exercise and eating right, then joked " do you think I really want to eat this salad?". That was it, conversation turned to something else and I'm just one of them.