Who to tell

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

@@WitchySar,

It’s definitely your decision. It depends on your own level of comfort and on how you think your own friends, family, and acquaintances (if you’re even considering telling people like coworkers) will react.

For me, I have always been quite open about my surgery. In part, it is because I am lucky – I was confident that my family and friends would be supportive or at least neutral, and I was right. In part, though, it’s because telling people made it more real. I felt more committed when I was open about it. Even if telling people didn’t necessarily mean they would know how to help or how to help me keep on track, at least it made me feel that I couldn’t fail because it would be embarrassing.

It's really up to you. Think about things like how much pressure you’d expect to feel from even innocently intended comments, and how you would be able to handle it if people said things like, “you’ve only lost XXX lbs. by now?!” or “I can’t believe you’re eating XXX after WLS!” If you don’t tell anyone about your WLS, you won’t have to risk hearing those comments.

Good luck with your decision and your surgery!

[IveGotThePower 395]

I was sleeved on 4/13/16. I jumped through the many insurance hoops, medical tests, appointments, classes (Bariatric Program), etc. for 6 months before surgery without telling anyone except my very wonderful, supportive Husband. 1 week before surgery I shared with some close co-workers because I just felt like it is what it is. I didn't want to have to make up some story about why I was out. And if I died during surgery, I wanted to bequeath my stapler to the right person. It doesn't matter what we say or do, there are always people who will be judgmental and I am already judged by my weight anyway. Yes, I did get a few unexpected negative remarks and I chalked them up to ignorance. Not like I haven't had ignorant comments about how I should loose weight for the past 20 years. I know how much time and effort I put into researching and learning about this procedure. I was comfortable with MY decision. I read the scary complication blogs. I even made pros and cons lists. It was a no brainer. And I truly believe that anyone in my exact same situation, acting in the most rational way would make the exact same decision. So, for me, I had reached a point where I was comfortable with my decision. I also knew full well, that if I shared with one person that I should expect it would be shared with many others. Looking back, it seemed more of a burden for me to try to keep it a secret than to be honest.

I am now almost 3 months post op and 43 lbs down from my HW of 290. I am VERY comfortable with my decision. When some friends tell me I'll be so thin in a few months, I tell them that everyone is different and I really don't know where this will take me, but I don't expect that. Just better health and closer to normal is good by me. I do my best without obsessing, see my nutritionist to keep me on track and hope that my experience can help someone else.

[hbrhonda 108]

In 2010 with my LapBand I didn't tell a soul. The day before my surgery I told my husband, only because I got cold feet about going to Mexico alone. It was getting too hard on the liquid phase with three teens in the house explaining why mom wasn't eating at the table with them so at about 3 weeks out I told my kids and then about 3 people over 6 years.

This time I shouted it from the roof top HEY LOOK AT ME, I AM GETTING SLEEVE SURGERY.

The reasons are: I hated keeping the "secret", I want the support and I want to share my accomplishments,

[Anna Nim 196]

You are going to lose weight, people will ask. If you tell them the truth, you will get more questions and possibly some judgy comments. Be prepared with your responses. To me, it doesn't matter what anyone says, it is your body and life is too short to worry about other's thoughts..unless they are paying a bill

If you are close to your siblings, your birth mom; then tell them if you want. A person does not have to be supportive to know what is going on with you-but it helps.

The rest tell em you are eating 6 small meals, low carb, high Protein and you had hernia surgery-or not.

I am being cheeky

[WendyA88 20]

Personally it doesn't bother me to tell others. I told friends and family and they told others. Everyone was sincerely happy for me and offered me so much support. Its in my opinion, their encouragement and support made me work harder to meet goals. The truth shall set you free. It's completely up to you and what you are comfortable with. Best wishes.

Sent from my SM-G360T using the BariatricPal App