I have just begun the process and have only shared my intentions with my children, husband and three friends I knew would be supportive.

I'm interested in hearing your stories of who, how and when you told others (if you did).

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I am going my Upper GI tomorrow and have the follow up apt with the surgeon on Oct 4th. Hopefully insurance will approve quickly. This time around ( I have considered WLS twice before ) I have practically shouted it from the rooftops. The prior times I was embarrassed and really worried about what others would say. This time around I really don't care what others have to say ( don't get me wrong my support group , Husband, Children (sister who is doing this with me) and close friends of course matter ) but I am completely at peace with having the surgery as it is a tool to help me achieve what I cant achieve on my own.

I am 36yrs old 424 lbs. my highest weight was 460 lbs. and have been heavy by normal standards for 22 years I personally feel when I hit 200 that is when I became heavy and that was 18 years ago. I have tried every diet know to man and it never lasts. So I am for the first time embracing this decision and looking forward to the new quality of life that comes with it. I think for me not being embarrassed and not worrying about what others think about it was a huge step for me personally. I have friends who have had it though and where more private about it, I honestly think it is what you are comfortable with.

I cant wait to see your outcome!!! Good Luck!!!

No one except my husband and best friend, and I already regret telling her.

When I first got interested about a year ago I shopped the idea around with some friends and got some pretty awful responses. I got told its too extreme, you're giving up on yourself, and (my personal favorite), "you're not THAT fat!" I also got TONS of unsolicited diet and exercise advice.

Maybe your friends are less judgmental than mine but I'm not telling anyone else and I'm glad to know that the one friend I told isn't someone who would repeat it. I support people's decisions about telling either way but people can get awfully judgmental and be insanely rude.

The only people who know are my 2 close friends. 1 who is helping me and basically got me started. She had wls as well. And the other I told about a week ago the day before my appointment with the surgeon. I haven't even told my mom yet cuz I feel like she would try and talk me out of it. I haven't even told my brothers bec I feel like they wouldn't be supportive. I plan on telling them once I have a date. It's deff a big secret to keep.

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Only one of my sisters and my SO knew since the beginning of my journey. I told my Mom a few weeks ago. I'm going to tell others once I have a date. I don't think I could get away with not telling people and don't want the stress of keeping it a secret. I am not announcing it on social media but if asked - I will be honest. I really don't care what people think. I suspect most will be supportive. If not - oh well. I'm doing this for me and my health.

I feel like health decisions are private. I'm sure folks are going to notice, but I feel like saying that I'm on a medically supervised program. I just don't feel like dealing with people who feel they are "entitled " to offer an opinion or advice. I know A LOT OF PEOPLE! I don't think it is everyone's business. Does that make sense?

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I initially decided not to tell anyone. Then on the day I was given a surgery date I told my oldest daughter(19). I read that if I ended up in the ER, it's important for them to know I had wls. I felt like she could handle telling the appropriate parties in the event of an emergency. The day after my procedure, I told my closest friend. She was 100% supportive and I wish I had told her sooner. I had an epigastric hernia repair before and had a hiatal hernia repaired along with the VSG. Outside of my daughter and my friend, all anyone else knows is that I had a hiatal hernia repair. My advise would be to feel people out first. I feel like I may have less supportive people in my life than most do so I can't say that my way is right. It's a very personal choice that you will be living with so be careful who you share the details with.

Female

NC

HW:280

HT:5'9"

VSG:9/6/16

I feel like health decisions are private. I'm sure folks are going to notice, but I feel like saying that I'm on a medically supervised program. I just don't feel like dealing with people who feel they are "entitled " to offer an opinion or advice. I know A LOT OF PEOPLE! I don't think it is everyone's business. Does that make sense?

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That makes sense. It's a very personal decision.

I feel like health decisions are private. I'm sure folks are going to notice, but I feel like saying that I'm on a medically supervised program. I just don't feel like dealing with people who feel they are "entitled " to offer an opinion or advice. I know A LOT OF PEOPLE! I don't think it is everyone's business. Does that make sense?

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Yes, it makes all the sense in the world. I think your response is perfect. I may just say the same if asked!

Female

NC

HW:280

HT:5'9"

VSG:9/6/16

Told only my mom about my lap band back in 2009 and the recent revision to sleeve, but I'm private by nature.

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I told my close friends and family. I told my boss and my employees as I would need a week off. I don't care what others think. I figured I'm going to be drastically losing weight why not just tell the truth. I know I've tried everything under the sun to lose weight and now I have severe health issues so I have to.

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I told everyone close to me (friends family etc) that I was doing a medically supervised weightloss program (true. I had to do 6 months for insurance purposes) I just left out the surgery part (which I haven't had yet). My husband & parents know - everyone else just thinks I'm on a "diet". After I have the surgery I will tell people if they ask.

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I'm waiting for a date. And for everything to be set in stone to tell my family and close friends. And after my surgery is anyone asks I would be more then happy to tell them what I did and even offer help if they wanted to go through the same process

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I told my coworkers and family and now I regret it. I have my surgical date, but I do wish I kept my journey more private

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I shared it with anyone who wanted to talk about it. The surgery was no more of a secret than me being fat. In the end I just ended up with a huge group of people supporting me through my journey. Others differ in how private they keep this kind of stuff but for me, I'm an open book.