For those of you that are keeping surgery a secret, how did you do it?

What was excuse for surgery and time off? Just trying to find a way to set up my story

I have a job where I could come straight back to work on Monday after having surgery the previous Friday. However I ended up taking 5 more days as sick leave because I had the flu as well. My weight loss is significant but has not been that drastic in a short time. I am now eating well and that would explain the loss to curious minds. I am generally a private person and don't share my medical history so I haven't felt the need or pressure to explain anything.

I was laid-off in July and took that time to set-up and have the surgery. Worked out weird that I needed to start my new job two weeks after having the surgery. It was fine I just tired easily. And although I have lost 40 something pounds everyone just knows I'm doing low-carb and that explains it. I also bring water but don't drink it while I eat. No one has said anything to me. I do push my food around a lot and really people aren't paying nearly as much attention as we think they are.


"Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying"

Sleeved 8.21.2017
Age 45
HW 237 SW 226
CW 199 GW 150
Total Lost - 36.2 lbs

At work, I only told my one coworker - whom I trust completely not to say anything about it. I felt like I would be judged by everyone else so that’s why I decided to keep it a secret not only at work, but also in my personal life too.

I did a “hybrid” surgery, so they did a liver biopsy at the same time they did my sleeve. I used the biopsy as an excuse for the time off. I’m getting to the point where I’ve lost a noticeable amount of weight. I tell everyone it’s because I’ve changed my lifestyle and they seem to buy it.

IMHO, keeping it a secret has simplified things for me! [emoji4]

I say I had acid reflux surgery & am doing keto Not super inaccurate. They addressed my reflux issues during the surgery and I am eating ketogenic foods.

tell them you had digestive issues and had to go in the histpital.

I make up the most ridiculous diets I can think of and try to convince them that is how I am losing the weight. My latest one is a famous scandinavian diet that consists of being able to eat as many sardines and peanut butter as you want, as long as you eat them together. I follow that with jogging backwards for 3 miles a day. 40lbs in 4 weeks - it works!

For close friends or people that are genuinely concerned I might have some kind of health issue, I will tell them what I did. If it is someone I don't know well or care about, then they can try to figure it out on their own through one of my crazy diets.

Hernia surgery I should go to a hernia forum. Excuse me. Haha

I only told my boss I was having surgery. Didn’t say what type and she didn’t ask. My leave was approved just under “surgery” title. I told my most trusted coworker before I left. I’ll tell people when I go back to work if they ask, I won’t lie. But they didn’t need to gossip while I’m away ;P

I started flowing the post op diet 6 months before surgery so I lost a good 40 lbs before surgery. I was pretty public about my change in eating habits pre-ops. Just saying I’m eating clean and high protein. So everyone knew I was dieting.

That way there wasn’t a sudden loss in anyone’s mind. After the first few weeks post op (where I did loss big numbers) I really lost 2-3 lbs a week, and everyone saw me at the gym everyday. So it was easy to say, yes thanks I am losing weight and working my Ass off. Which wasn’t a lie. [emoji6]. Good luck

I kept mine a secret at first. Eventually everyone found out because I had complications.

You may find over time, once you’ve lost the weight, it won’t matter as much who knows how you did it. I was embarrassed at first and feared a lack of support but I ended up getting a lot of support. I tell people now and they don’t even blink. Wls is so common these days.

I never understood the point of hiding the surgery as if people are ashamed they needed help to live longer and better. I have a friend whose wife allegedly had "Hernia surgery" then all of a sudden lost over 100lbs...Yeah, ok.... Not one single gym selfie on her social media, in fact I never hear of her working out a single day.. But she lost all this weight...lol

Seriously whats your reasons for hiding it??

9 hours ago, JerseyJules said:

I have a friend whose wife allegedly had "Hernia surgery" then all of a sudden lost over 100lbs...Yeah, ok....

What a coincidence!

I told people months before surgery that I’m working on my weight loss via diet & exercise. So, it makes my weight loss look natural. I tell them I’m on a ketogenic diet which is technically true anyway.

I kept it a secret because I don’t like people inputting their opinions on MY CHOICE, MY BODY. People can be so negative & gossip. Only my significant other & one friend know.

At work, I said I was sick that’s why I needed time off and took my sick pay. I wasn’t specific about why I was gone & it’s really none of their business.


Height: 5'0"
Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs.
Surgery date: 2/13/17
Goal: -71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs).
Current weight: 130 lbs, 10 lbs away from new goal.
My profile picture is not me. It's my "FITspiration" body.

My co-workers are extremely nosey. I'm telling them I'm having my gallbladder removed and therefore I will need to change my eating habits.

Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

There are many people out there that say "oh so you are just taking the easy way out" - which pardon my french - f-u! Back in college I was a powerlifter, bodybuilder and rugby player. At my prime I was 305, just 9lbs less than my pre-surgery weight, but had less than 5% bodyfat. I know what it takes to maintain that kind of lifestyle and body. It is just not possible for me anymore.

In the 20 years since, getting an office job, and being more lazy and less active - it turned to fat. I picked up some diabetes, some high blood pressure, and a little bit of cholesterol. I was on 9 medicines a day pre-surgery. I was off every single one of them the day of surgery and have not looked back. Find me a diet that can do that for me and I will eat my words, albeit just 2oz at time .