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

<p>was banded on the 8th Oct and still haven't told anyone. I've told people I'm on a new health plan and I started with a strict detox (week 1 and 2). I've told everyone that I am 'being good' for the month of October. When Nov hits I will be on normalish food but just smaller portions.

I don't see the need to tell anyone but if they ask me outright if I've had WLS then I will say yes. However it's not that common in the UK so I don't expect to get that question </p>

I just received my letter today from the ins. saying that I've been approved so I'll most likely be scheduled in Nov. I didn't want to tell anyone because I'm worried that I may not work or that I wouldn't have the freedom of changing my mind. Also, I lost 125 lbs on my own over two years ago and it was very very hard work. I didn't want to tell people because I didn't want their ignorance of what the procedure involves and the effort that it requires to stick with it to be minimized by then thinking that "the band" did it. I know this sounds weird but it really bothered be before and I know this is more their problem and not mine but it made me not want to share. Anyway, I was a sucker because my aunt who is very overweight started talking about considering the procedure and I cracked because I had done all this research and she knew nothing. Now, everyone knows - argh!

What do papaya tablets do if you don't mind my asking - newbie here!

Papaya enzyme tablets can help dissolve food that is stuck and won't go through the band.

Thank you!

I am a closet bandster. Only one friend knows. The only thing I wanted to say is that I am not ashamed. I am a very private person and I don't tell people my business as a rule. I have friends, co-workers and family who have had WLS and I'm sure they would be supportive. I have been fairly successful, so I don't think it has anything to do with a fear of failure. I just don't tell people my personal business. It is a personal decision whether you choose to share your experience with others.

I have been telling everyone as I want to be surrounded by lots of support.

I agree that it's a personal choice. I told the people I thought would be supportive and who I am really close to.

The rest see that I have lost weight and I tell the truth but leave the band part out. I am making better food choices, eating smaller portions and exercising regularly.

I've told Everyone!!! And happy that I have. Everyone has been very supportive!

I have people come up to me quite frequently knowing I have the Lapband, because I've attended the graduate meeting a couple times and then went to the Pre surgery meeting and spoke to the audience as a graduate of lapband surgery. So I'm known all over the state. I meet people all over that recognize me, from curves, grocery store, even at work!

I'm not shy and I'll answer anyones questions. I felt like telling the surgeon today when I went for my fill, that I should start getting a cut because I've been sending a lot of people his way!!!

I only told my hubby and mom and one close friend before the surgery. Since the surgery, I have "come out" more to a select few. I just didnt want any naysayers to try to give me negative comments or feelings beforehand. I also didnt want to have to broach the subject of being self pay and others judging me for spending that kind of money.

Those that I have chosen to tell have been really great. In fact, one of my coworkers told me she had the gastric band (a little different from Lapband) about 10 years ago.

I told everyone! I only had one person who was not supportive! I figured they are going to know what is up when I am losing 10 lbs a month... only lost 25lbs total on my whole year on WW hahaha!

Since my surgery I have told more and more people and they have been supportive of me. I have even had a couple say that they would like to get the band. A lot of people have notice the change in the way I look. One of the reason that I did not tell everyone was that I did not wish to here about the negative things.

Chris

I just was scheduled for Nov 15th today and I want to sing it to the whole world!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and I find people are very supportive and excited for me....

Heck yeah! Why shouldn't everyone know?! Then again, I have no secrets, really. I'm very open about everything in my life (except finances - that's probably the one private thing I keep). Probably drive everyone batty blabbing on about my shrinking self! LOL

I've only told my family and didn't tell them till the night before surgery, only because it was bothering me.Now i no why it took me so long to talk to them. They didn't understand then and why I would be doing this, and I still feel they still don't understand. But I did it for me!!!!!It took me doing this to get them on a diet and not in away that you would think. (these are the kind of people I'm dealing with, I love them but!!!) The very next day after I told them they joined W.W.. And now its like I lost this much and didn't have surgery..But hey what can I say there family no wonder I dint wanna go around and tell everyone.Sorry about this I must of wanted to vent.