At my office on my door, I have a countdown calendar for my surgery date (3 weeks from today, YAY!). People visiting my office who see the calendar ask me if I'm going on vacation as they are assuming that's what it's for.

I always say, "I'm having bariatric surgery."

Without fail, every single person then launches into "here's what you have to do", and then proceed to tell me how to be successful (whether it's Water or exercise or whatever). It's always about a friend or a relative or a friend of a friend. I've taken to holding up my hand to stop them and tell them that I've done all my research and I'm good to go.

If it didn't torment my boss so much, I would take down the calendar. My boss is in a panic over me having surgery; he thinks I'm going to be out for a month (I told him a week). I told him I've taken longer vacations than I'm going to be out for surgery.

/end rant

I'm so glad you posted this Sharon! This is EXACTLY why I'm not telling anyone at work..because I don't want their opinions on something I didn't even ask them about! My office is a place of gossip anyway. I'm not telling my boss unless I have to, hoping I have enough leave to cover the surgery! Good Luck!

My coworkers are very supportive (or they're too afraid of me to say anything else!), it's the people who drop in - attorneys, vendors, etc.

This forum is full of experts. It seems when one doesn't agree with their expert opinion the tone becomes rude and condescending. We all have surgery experiences, each one different. It's kinda like having a baby, no two experiences are alike. I try to share my experience, but always note there are others that had a more positive or desirable outcome. Opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one.

I hate to say it, but the same is true for people on this forum....everybody thinks they are an expert telling others what they should or should not do.

Giving advice even though they them selves are relatively new to all this and are only repeating what they have been told.

People have their own Dr.'s and that should be the source for answers.

All people here should do, is share their own personal experiences....if there is a topic, and I have no experience in that area, I keep my mouth shut....if there is a topic I have experienced, then I will respond, first by saying this is how it is/was FOR ME.......and recognize different people have different experiences.....

Ok, so much for my rant.

You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't appreciate more those who share their personal experiences without being condescending or assuming they know what will work for you. It just sucks when people make assumptions or insist their way is the only way. I get enough of that from people who don't know anything about obesity or bariatric surgery.