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

Surgery without telling anyone?



Recommended Posts

With a BMI of 35 I think that you can absolutely pull it off without being interrogated, lol.

If you were a 50+ BMI, then I think it'd be a different situation.

You are going to be making visible behavioral changes when you are post op.....they'll see that you eat smaller portions......and that you eat less junk food......and perhaps go low-carb. That should keep their curiosity from growing.

People lose large amounts of weight from low-carb diets every single day. Likely that they know such people and will assume you have joined their ranks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told 6 people a year ago and wish I'd only told my wife (if I was single, no one). The problem isn't "dumb things people say", it's the fact that by telling "just a few close friends and family", you never really know if your secret is safe.

As @@Dub says, once you drop a ton of weight people will start asking and before you know it, you're being less than honest with very close friends.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying keeping a health issue a secret is dishonest, but imagine how you'd feel if a long term friend discovered it from someone else?

Worse, most likely, you'd never find out they knew, but their opinion of your friendship could surely suffer!

Keep it a secret or tell everyone!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The only reason I would tell someone at work or school is if I could tell that they needed encouragement to go through the process themselves. Other than two friends who I know can keep the secret, everyone else can kiss my tiny tush. I don't owe anyone an explanation. "I am following a strict diet plan with the help of a nutritionist" is all they are getting out of me.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didnt tell no one , I dont regret my surgery , Im a slow loser , I lost 61 pounds FOREVER , im a year post op and have no sagging skin , I think due to the slow lost but none the less , no one ever asked me if i had surgery and again I think it was due to my slow lost , but people did ask me how I lost weight and I would reply with , changed my eating habits , drank lots of Water and lots of walking , which was all true , best wishes to you

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The only people I told were my siblings and parents. I only told 2 or 3 other people after I had already had the surgery. It really is nobody's business

Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

With my LapBand I only told my husband and kids. It was so hard to keep "the secret". Almost as if I were lying by not telling anyone. One time my daughter slipped and said "she cant eat and drink together" I almost came unglued.

This time I shouted it from the roof tops I AM GETTING THE SLEEVE. Not hiding anything. Posting updates and pics on FB. Now I have a huge support system. Its a personal option that is yours to choose. Choose wisely grasshopper...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have not told many of my family members about the surgery. I live far away from my family so they don't know how large I had gotten. I only have one cousin who has seen me recently and she made comments like "If you get any bigger, you'll need a wheel chair". She's not skinny herself. <_< My highest BMI was only 40ish but I had a lot of underlying health issues related to my weight. I did tell some of my coworkers and most know now because I've lost over 30lbs in the last 6 weeks and my eating habits have changed. I still get the whole "You weren't that big. You could have done it on your own" from some of them. Several are very supportive and tell me how great I look. I had over 100lbs to lose and couldn't do it on my own. Altering my stomach permanently was a huge decision but I don't regret it at all. My health is way more important that food any day. As for my family, they are a**holes and would have criticized me. I don't have any intention of telling them in the future either.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am meeting with the surgeon next month and there are only a couple people that know. I haven't told my family or anyone. My husband and a lady at work who had RNY. People are so judgemental especially where I work. I don't know how I am going to keep it from them as I am only 5 ft and BMI is 43. I want this to be about me making myself better and not people judging or talking about me.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I only told my husband and daughter. Not sure what to tell work why I'll be out 3 weeks tho

Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone! I've recently been cleared for surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) and arranged a date of 26th September. Very excited! I'm 31, have a BMI of 35, and single. I've tried (and failed) to lose weight for the past 16 years. Same story as everyone else - I lose 20 lbs and put 30 back on.

I've not told anyone about the surgery, and I don't plan to. I just think that people will think I'm taking the easy way out. No one else in my family has any weight issues, and I know they just think I'm lazy for being so fat. I'm definitely going ahead with the surgery, but wanted to know if anyone else had done it without telling anyone? I just can't be bothered with them judging me!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 31 and bmi 38. I'm having my surgery Nov 2. I'm only telling 3 people.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was sleeved 9/19 I only told my fiancé, daughter and brother (because I had to). My father doesn't even know. I don't feel like you should tell anyone you don't want to. Personally, I didn't want to be judged like you mentioned. Also, I am afraid of failure and in turn, more judging. So keep it to yourself!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm the exact opposite but love the fact you can all keep your mouths quiet. I've communicated at work, which has helped with my time off and lots of support. I told my family and they are all concerned and supportive I listen to the medical staff but I personally need outside support to help keep me balanced. I wish I was as strong as you all and not tell people. Waiting on my surgery date.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 1 month post sleeve today, I only told my boyfriend. He went to the hospital with me and helped with stuff when we came home. It was a bit awkward though when my colleagues at work wanted to know why I was on sick leave for 3 weeks and I couldn't tell them.

Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

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

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 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

    ×