I have a meeting tonight with some online friends. I've been active online in the group since August but was busy wrapping up grad school work before my surgery in September. So tonight it's a discussion over Snacks just after 7pm iwth about 9 of us. I will have already eaten my dinner and be mostly digested by then. I don't want to eat there because I tend to burp a lot after I eat and my stomach is a musical organ with loud sound effects. I know I won't be able to snack on anything there as I'm pretty much full of food by then. So I'll politely decline, but if I'm asked for an explanation I don't know how I feel about coming out of the band closet. Any advice?

I went out to eat with my family this past weekend (for my commencement dinner) and just ate a bit of my hubby's food. The waiter was shocked I wasn't ordering a meal, and the people at the next table kept on looking at me eating super slow tiny bites.

Thanks,

Leena

I've been banded for 3 years only my husband and mother know I was banded. At first, I didn't want people judging my weight loss (weather it was enough or not) and I didn't want them judging what I put in my mouth. Now, I'm glad I haven't told anyone because the weight I've lost was hard work. I don't want anyone not giving ME credit for that. Some people tend to think that the band and RNY are easy ways to loose weight. They are not. When people ask me how I've lost the weight I say "Diet, smaller portions and Exercise", because that's the truth.

My husband knows and my best friend. That's it.

It was too hard to keep it a secret, since my family tends to let secrets out...I've just decided to tell everyone, that way I don't have to keep track of who knows and who doesn't.

I've already heard from my mom that one of my aunt's thinks this is the "easy way out"....If that's how she feels, fine. I'm not going to change her mind, and I don't give a (*$%!#

There are always going to be people who don't agree with me, or talk about me behind my back etc....I need to choose not to let their comments bother me or have power over me ~ and so far so good!

I tell selectively depending on the person

My husband, mother and grandmother know as do my husband's parents.

Other extended family members do not know.Chiefly because they will not be supportive or helpful. I have also told 3 friends of mine, and that's it for now.

Leena I see that you had you surgery in New Brunswick. By any chance did you just graduate from Rutgers ? I went there as an undergraduate and am in CUNY now for Grad school.

Lisa

I only told a few people before surgery. I did not want to have anyone rain on my prade. Also since I work in construction and so you can image what they could have been like. Now that I have had it and the weight is coming off, I have no problem in telling people that I have the lapband and I love it.

Chris

I tell, I have had several people ask me If I am OK? or ask me if I have been sick. I would tell them I am ok, the weight loss is self inflicted, then they give me that real funny look, like what are you talking about. Then tell them about the band.

I have a meeting tonight with some online friends. I've been active online in the group since August but was busy wrapping up grad school work before my surgery in September. So tonight it's a discussion over Snacks just after 7pm iwth about 9 of us. I will have already eaten my dinner and be mostly digested by then. I don't want to eat there because I tend to burp a lot after I eat and my stomach is a musical organ with loud sound effects. I know I won't be able to snack on anything there as I'm pretty much full of food by then. So I'll politely decline, but if I'm asked for an explanation I don't know how I feel about coming out of the band closet. Any advice?

I went out to eat with my family this past weekend (for my commencement dinner) and just ate a bit of my hubby's food. The waiter was shocked I wasn't ordering a meal, and the people at the next table kept on looking at me eating super slow tiny bites.

Thanks,

Leena

I don't think you owe anyone an explanation. If people ask why you're not eating just say you're not that hungry (well..thats not exactly a lie is it eh?). People can know that you're trying to lose weight but don't feel obliged to tell them about the band. Personally I've found a lot of people don't understand the band. People I've told have criticised me for choosing surgery because they don't understand that I have no self control, they just think I'm lazy. Even my own family has expressed their disapproval which is disappointing and sadenning to me because I would love their support. The only people that know about me getting the lap band are my partner and a couple of friends who I am really close to and trust.

I have been very selective about who I have told too. I just don't want people asking me how much weight I have lost, or noticing what I eat or don't eat.

It was really difficult tonight. I went to dinner with some friends that chose a Thai restaurant. I knew looking at that menu there wasn't one thing on that menu that I could eat. I brought plenty of papaya tablets with me. They were a godsend.

I have only told my family and one friend. No one at my work knows. I feel that it is my business and I would not share that info anymore than my other medical information. I consider it private.

I have been very selective about who I have told too. I just don't want people asking me how much weight I have lost, or noticing what I eat or don't eat.

It was really difficult tonight. I went to dinner with some friends that chose a Thai restaurant. I knew looking at that menu there wasn't one thing on that menu that I could eat. I brought plenty of papaya tablets with me. They were a godsend.

Hi Denise..papaya tablets eh? Do they curb your hunger? I've never heard of them!

Papaya tablets are a home remedy for "getting stuck". (when food cannot pass through your band) Some swear by it and some do not.

They actually work quite well for me. I learned from another post on here that you have to chew 6 of them. I got them at Walmart.

Usually if I start throwing up, it's hard for me to stop. I will throw up what is stuck, but continue to throw up Water, slime or whatever you want to call it. I know this is risking a slip. I have started carrying papaya tablets in my purse, and car. It would have been really embarrassing to spend the entire time in the restroom.

Before this last fill, I could basically eat whatever I wanted. Now I have to be really careful. I am happy though, because I still have a lot to lose. Before this 4th fill, I was not losing well at all.

A bunch of people swear by them. I have not tried them yet but there have been times when I wished that I had some!

Well I ended up not telling them. There were only 4 of us there and not my closer friends from the group. So I just kept quiet about the whole thing.

I have told my parents, husband, sons, some family members and a few select close friends.

I guess fear of failure is a reason that I haven't told some people. And also the whole lecture of why that way.

Oh, and it's so true that sometimes it's easier to tell a complete stranger.

-Leena

i told everyone.

i want a t-shirt and maybe a licensce plate cover thing or key chain...

I wouldn't mind having a band key-chain.