I'm in the early stages of my surgery journey. I have:

- Met with my PCP and been referred to a surgeon

- Attended my surgeon's seminar

- Filled out the referral paperwork for insurance coverage and returned it to my surgeon's office

- Scheduled my two required nutritionist appointments, health history appointment and psychological evaluation (all in September - October)

After my appointments are complete, I'll be meeting with the surgeon again, submitting final paperwork to insurance, awaiting approval and then setting my surgery date (I'm hoping for early January 2016, when I'm on semester break from Grad School)

Now I'm wondering, who exactly should I fill in about this process, and when?

So far, only my boyfriend knows. I figure I should tell his parents, as we currently live in the apartment over their garage and I may need extra help from them post-surgery, and because BF's father has also had a weight-loss surgery (Gastric Bypass) and he would be a tremendous personal resource. I also need to tell my co-workers, since I'll likely need two to three weeks off from work for surgery and recovery.

I'd prefer to keep the list short, strictly a "need to know" basis only. Not because I'm ashamed or embarrassed of what I'm doing, but because I'm a private person and it's a medical procedure- it's not like I announce every time I have a pap smear, right?

So other than those folks I've mentioned, who else really needs to know, and when do I tell them? Wait until after insurance approval? After the surgery date is set? Will that be enough time for any preparation that needs to be done?

Thanks everyone!

I am going with a need to know basis and for me that means my partner and she won't tell anyone ! Oh and my surgeon ! I will let him know ! LOL!!

My husband and a close friend were the only people that knew for a long time. After attending the seminar and making the final decision to go for it, I shared with my parents, in-laws, siblings and best friends. Best decision ever!! Everyone was sooooo supportive and encouraging when I was getting discouraged. Now that I have my date (9/23), I have went public with it and got an overwhelming amount of support! I plan to share my journey along the way and I am excited to be a encouragment to others considering this life changing tool! My hope is that if I am transparent about my journey, I will be more accountable with my actions. I can understand being private though too!

I've told my closest friends and family , but very few people at work. I had the revision from band to sleeve 4 weeks ago. So far so good.

Today, after a pretty stressful day at work, when walking out, I was commiserating with a colleague who doesn't know. Her advice was to go home, have some chips and salsa and a glass of wine and everything would be better. I guess that's what I get for not telling people. I just laughed it off and said maybe I'll play with the dogs instead!

@shaqhki hello it's so easy for ppl to say it's the easy way out as they have not done it I'm almost 6 months post op sleeve it's not easy I've had a few comments like that and I say well have this procedure live with it and then we can discuss exactly what about it you feel is so easy until then shut the hell up the truth of the matter is this will help you lose weight initially however if u eat the same way you did before you won't be very successful it's a tool not a miracle try not to let the negative comments affect you you must put effort into it for it to work people who don't understand the procedure and how it works really should do the research before commenting but as they say opinions are like assholes everybody has one keep your head up and keep walking