Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Need Suggestions for What to Tell People Who Ask If I've Had WLS



Recommended Posts

I tell people I'm doing a number of things differently: Seeing a shrink, using My Fitness Pal to plan and track all my menus, wearing a Fitbit, eating more Protein, avoiding starchy, processed foods foods, and going to the gym.

That's all true. :)

Friends and family have seen me yo-yo diet all my life. They think the stars finally aligned for me.

The End. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery isn't for another few weeks but I find that when I'm asked a personal question that I don't care to answer, it's SUPER easy to very quickly say "oh thank you and WOW i love your hair (earrings, skirt, lipstick color, etc). so, what are you up to this weekend?"

Even the nosiest of people would much rather talk about themselves than about you :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery is scheduled for next month. I don't want to tell anyone but have to say something to my boss. Any suggestions as to what type of surgery would be equivalent to the sleeve as far as recovery time and restrictions?

Any female surgery.....hernia repair...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was very embarrassed and shy about telling people leading up to the surgery. I told my close friends and family slowly leading up to it as well as my coworkers. After surgery, I care a lot less about who knows. This is my journey. I have never had any negative feedback about it. I don't shout it from the rooftops, and don't tell strangers about it, but I am open if it comes up. I became more proud about my decision afterwards, but I completely understand being nervous now. Hopefully you have the same positive experience I did and it wont matter much afterwards. Own it! Be proud of it! Its the new you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been embarrassed of my body for a long time. I can't help but share my excitement of the changes that will be happening. I will be honest and tell them why. Those I've shared it with so far has been supportive. The main reason for this is to get healthy and be here for my family. Screw them if they don't see the reasons for it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Omla just tell your boss you are scheduled for surgery. You are not obligated to say anything more. If he/she presses (some people are clueless about both the law and etiquette) say "uhh, that's really personal . . ." and look as mortified as you possibly can. Let them assume you are having anal fissures repaired or something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've found most people just say to me that I look good or wow, you've lost weight. I don't go into details unless someone is just demanding to know what I'm doing. Most people don't though. They just talk about it behind your back. LOL!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been open and honest with people in my workplace. A lot of them have noticed me on my liquid diet and asked about it and I've told them it's to prep for my surgery next week. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I've had family members ask me why I just can't lose the weight naturally, but everyone at work has been super supportive.

Two of the ladies I've told have even been jealous!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm very open about having had surgery. If someone asks how I lost all the weight, I say, "I had bariatric surgery last June. I haven't had a starch, or a sweet, or fruit juice, or a soda, or alcohol since then. I eat mostly Protein and vegetables, and I get exercise 4-6 times a week. It;'s hard work, but it's SO worth it because I feel great and I'm much healthier than I was before." Then if they have more questions, I answer them honestly. If anybody has a negative response, they haven't shared it with me. They usually say, "Wow, good for you!"

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I always remember " Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive"

Once you start fibbing you have to remember who you told what. Just be truthful. They may be asking because they want to know how they can do the same.

If people are smart asses, then they aren't your friends anyway.

Be proud and show them its a great decision!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think I will say something like, "I used a surgical proceedure as a catalyst for radical across-the-board lifestyle changes in my pursuit of radiant health."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×