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

Did any of you keep your surgery a secret? I have! Please give input!



Recommended Posts

2 minutes ago, Brent701 said:

so judgemental skinny people got it. Not sure what would be worse the judgemental skinny person or the miserable fat person.

I do not think size has a lot to do with it. People are judgmental regardless. What was worse was having friends of 10 years + turn cold shoulder and that people have to hide or consider telling people what they are having done, to help with their health. People don't judge when you have gall bladder removed or kidney stones crushed, but you have operation that is life changing and majorly benefiting your health and (most) lose their minds. Its just sad overall.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I came out of the closet about a month ago - Tired of everyone asking how and are you sick, But I really do not care what anyone else view is on surgery. I kept it a secret except for my girlfriend and my kids.

Get ready for all the questions so get you Bully poop answers ready. - Those who judge have there own issues, So to me just not worth the time or drama! I prefer to be healthy and happy and could give a F#$ck about there views or opinions on WLS surgery, especially those who have not done it or have a clue what they are talking about.

This is you decision and your journey, so You do it your way!

Edited by AJ Tylo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I had my surgery, the only people who knew were my husband and 3 or 4 of my trusted friends. I didn't tell the rest of my family, including my children or my parents.

As time has gone by, I have told other people. It just didn't feel as important to keep it a secret. However, at about 1 year out, my kids started asking me questions. They thought I was sick because I wasn't eating much. I told them mostly to relieve their concern. But, the rest of my family still doesn't know.

It can be done, depending on how close you are to your family. I'm not close to mine and I don't see most of them very often. My kids, though, even though they live in another state, they noticed and were genuinely concerned that I was sick.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Freedom&Bliss said:

Hi there! I have chosen to not make my surgery public to anyone but my husband, my counselor, and ONE friend. I am curious if anyone else out here has done that or similar and is farther our of surgery than me and what your experience has been (I'm only a month out). It's hard as I am normally a pretty open person, especially to my mom who I tell almost EVERYthing to! I struggle with it at times but made the choice to keep it to myself. I have yet to meet or hear of anyone else who has done the same!? Thanks!

My husband knows..... that's it.

When i had the band i eventually told everyone. Biggest mistake ever. This time with the sleeve, only my husband. I didn't tell my kids, my family, my friends (none of them), my co workers.... NO ONE.

So much better. When people started to notice the WL i just told them the truth.... doing crossfit and Portion Control.

I moved to another state which makes it easier i think. No one except my kids have seen me since SX Aug, 28, 2019

I can promise yall one thing.... you tell one person besides your spouse.... it will get out.... especially if you tell a friend and that friend is a woman.... we love to gossip... and eventually she will get jealous and blabbb...

Let me give you the scenario.... Hey sue.. chris sure has lost a lot of weight.... Well, don't say that i said anything... but she has WLS... BAMMMM

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Im almost 6 months post op and havent told anyone except my parents and bf. I plan to keep it that way or the rest of my life lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told everyone...I didn’t care what they thought. Most of everyone of my friends, family, and coworkers think I look fantastic. It’s a personal choice

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Only my husband knows. I haven’t even told my teen son. I’ve had one in a million health issue i was born with and have only told my husband. Of course my parents knew and told everyone this side of the U.S. lol. It took me years to “forgive” them for sharing my private health problems (diagnosed at 16). Hence, with my sleeve surgery coming up next week—no one but my husband and I will know!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Only my husband knows! Plan on keeping it that way! Too many gossips in my family, combined with judgment, etc. I've lost weight before, so people are used to seeing me go up and down. I plan on telling people I'm doing high Protein, shakes, etc, which is all true of course!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Seems the women are much more secretive than the men about this. Makes sense given the sensitivity. Everyone knows to never ask a woman their weight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/22/2020 at 10:51 PM, Chris NH said:

I, too, have only chosen to tell only a few people. Outside of my husband and teen-aged kids, only my closest friends know. If someone asks I just tell them I am working with a NUT on a high protein//low carb diet. BTW @Freedom&Bliss, we are both from NH :)

Hey Chris cool! Where in NH are you from/where was your surgery? You had yours about a month before me. Overall it's been a great experience, a bit of a mindf**k at times, giving up the food that you are used to "turning to" for whatever emotional reason, but it has been SO freeing for me, like a burden lifted! And yeah I don't feel like I will ever tell any more people. It's my choice and my business - I know a few ppl have commented that even telling one person, that makes the risk of ppl finding out more, etc - which may be true depending on who you tell! I know my husband will never say anything, and my one friend who knows won't either. I just can't wait until *I* can see the weight loss - I am down 26 lbs since the day of my surgery and I just don't feel it or see it yet, but I know I will soon, patience!! 🙂

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/23/2020 at 11:27 AM, BayougirlMrsS said:

My husband knows..... that's it.

When i had the band i eventually told everyone. Biggest mistake ever. This time with the sleeve, only my husband. I didn't tell my kids, my family, my friends (none of them), my co workers.... NO ONE.

So much better. When people started to notice the WL i just told them the truth.... doing crossfit and Portion Control.

I moved to another state which makes it easier i think. No one except my kids have seen me since SX Aug, 28, 2019

I can promise yall one thing.... you tell one person besides your spouse.... it will get out.... especially if you tell a friend and that friend is a woman.... we love to gossip... and eventually she will get jealous and blabbb...

Let me give you the scenario.... Hey sue.. chris sure has lost a lot of weight.... Well, don't say that i said anything... but she has WLS... BAMMMM

Haha I get that for sure - the one friend I told, I told her because she also had the sleeve a year ago and I completely trust her, so I am not afraid of that, but it's so true! She's been a great source of support and me asking questions and whatnot - she made her surgery public to everyone, but I agree it's definitely a personal choice! 🙂

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/23/2020 at 5:39 PM, walkthewalk said:

Only my husband knows. I haven’t even told my teen son. I’ve had one in a million health issue i was born with and have only told my husband. Of course my parents knew and told everyone this side of the U.S. lol. It took me years to “forgive” them for sharing my private health problems (diagnosed at 16). Hence, with my sleeve surgery coming up next week—no one but my husband and I will know!

good for you.... but you see what i mean by people telling... and it was your own parents.... Promise you @walkthewalk you will never regrate NOT telling. Start exercising and when people start to ask... tell them the truth like me.... Crossfit and Portion Control. Which is 100% truth.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/24/2020 at 6:58 AM, Brent701 said:

Seems the women are much more secretive than the men about this. Makes sense given the sensitivity. Everyone knows to never ask a woman their weight.

@Brent7 We are more secretive, but we can't be trusted with not blabbbbing.... I got sleeved 8/28/19... so 5 months ago and i have lost 39lbs... I told the people at the Crossfit, work and friends here I would be out for Hernia SX. Which turned out to be true. Dr. found a Hiatal hernia and fixed it. Anyway, by Sept. 26 (wedding day) i had lost 20lbs. I had only made it to the gym a few times before we left to get married in GA. But people at the gym and at work did notice the 20lbs. very few said anything. Had to take off another couple week for some deep tissue mole removals.... went back at about 25ish lbs... same few said,.. you're looking great. then of course Holidays and Hunting season and came and well if i have a choice between working out and hunting.... I'm going hunting. and trust the 1/2 mile walk with 10lbs of extra clothes, 10 backpack and a gun is no easy task. Anyway, fast forward to January and now im back...... 39lbs down and it seems like everyone has noticed and has come up to me to say...... Wow chris you have lost a lot of weight.... How (cuz they know i haven't been there)... I just say Portion Control.

And it's not just the women asking.... men too....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, Freedom&Bliss said:

Haha I get that for sure - the one friend I told, I told her because she also had the sleeve a year ago and I completely trust her, so I am not afraid of that, but it's so true! She's been a great source of support and me asking questions and whatnot - she made her surgery public to everyone, but I agree it's definitely a personal choice! 🙂

I did the same thing when i had the band sx in 2009. I my wonderful friend Paula had had Band sx and she was a great confidant and support system. At first the only people that knew were my now x husband, kids, a few close friends and one or two co workers..... Well that didn't last long.... It, of course, got out about the Band... so then i just told everyone that asked. I hated getting the looks and the OHHHHH.

This time.... it has been wonderful not getting the "looks or the OHHH".

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 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

    ×