I have a 6 year old daughter. My surgery is in 6 weeks. I will be gone for 5 days(Mexico). I don't know what to tell her in advance. Or even after.

I try so hard to keep her from weight talk. We speak of health versus size.

How did you guys handle telling your kids, if you told them? Thanks

My son is 12 so he is a little more understanding. I explained to him that I was having surgery for health reasons. I explained to him the process and that I will be spending the night in the hospital. I told him that it will prolong my life and that I will have more energy to be able to do things with him and that it will aid me in loosing weight and keeping it off. I already had a pretty healthy lifestyle. I worked out 4xs a week and he would accompany me to some of my classes. He knows the struggle I have with staying healthy. We don't focus on the weight part of it because he told me he loved me heavy or not.

My suggestion would be to keep it to a 6yr old level. Let her know that they are going into to look at your tummy, and give you a tool to help you become healthier. If she proceeds with questions just keep it to her level. My fear was scaring my son. So I kept it so that he understood but wasn't feared.

I told my 9 year old that mommy's tummy wasn't feeling well and that the doctors had to go in and take out the "bad part" or "part that was sick". I explained that they had to cut out part of my stomach on the inside so that is why I have to eat this crazy diet until I stomach is all better.

I tried to keep it simple in her terms so that she understood. I didn't talk about the weight part of it at all. She doesn't need to worry about that part of it. Kids at school are so mean and call her chubby - she is not chubby in the least bit but actually tall and very lean. So I didn't want her to think that SHE needed surgery to not feel chubby. I want her to focus on how beautiful she is and how eating right is healthy for her and all of us. I am cooking better and we are becoming more active as a family. So in the long run I am hoping to instill positive vibes and practices. I don't want her to learn the bad behaviors that put my in the position I was in. IMO

I didn't tell my kids. They are 12 and 16 boys. I had to have a hernia repair while I was in as well so that's what I told everyone. Maybe someday I will tell them but it's been almost a year and it's not a big deal.

~LA

I have 6 kids - ranging from 18-28. I've told my 19 year old daughter because she commutes to college and is home with us. Everyone else is away at college/living on their own/in the military. I figured they'll notice when they come home. No need to worry them unnecessarily. I also told her because her dad (my ex) considered the sleeve so I want to be a motivation for him.

I am choosing to go with the same Hiatel hernia cover story I am using with everyone else. My kids are 23, 19 and 16 and I don't want to worry them.

I have a 7 year old daughter and I was wondering the same thing. I too am going to Mexico and will be gone for 5 days. I think I'm going to make it very light... Just tell her that mommy needs to have a surgery that some mom's have to get when they are older. This is a great question, I'm curious to here what the others post.

I'm going to Mexico as well. I have a 7 year old and just told him the truth, and followed up with how it will make me a more involved mom. He is so excited!