Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

BariatricPal

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Join BariatricPal free

  • Ask your own questions
  • Reply and follow topics
  • Message other members
  • No cost, no spam

Who keeps their surgery a secret? Possible?

I am considering the sleeve. But it's important to me that my 11 year old does not know. I'm not wanting to debate my reasons on why I'd rather keep it a secret from her but it has me thinking about privacy. Do you keep it a secret? How? Is it possible? Obviously it's no one's business but my own. I will have my husband's support. But for those who have managed to keep it quiet from loved ones... how have you made that work? What might keep me from being able to do so? Thank you!!

  • Replies 6
  • Views 938
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

  • Only person who knows is my husband! I've kept it a secret from my children, and since I only spent 1 night in the hospital, we just told them I was away for work. When I came home from the hos

  • I have three kids under 10, I didn't tell them. I travel a lot for work so just told them I was on a trip when I was in hospital. I've told a few people now, at 5 months out, but still haven't told

  • MarvelGirl25
    MarvelGirl25

    Its definitely possible! I told my bf, parents and siblings. Until this day its still a secret

Featured Replies

Only person who knows is my husband!

I've kept it a secret from my children, and since I only spent 1 night in the hospital, we just told them I was away for work. When I came home from the hospital, I had a little pain, but my bigger issue was fatigue as I was sleeping all day, which I covered up by saying I had a sinus infection/headache. Kids were at school during the day anyway, and I was able to perk up and "fake it" during the evenings!

I have found it very easy to keep my little secret!

I only told my immediate family (husband and teenage children) and one coworker that I work directly with and who covers my work when I am off. This was done mainly for a safety standpoint because I had never had surgery before so If something happened they would know what was going on.

It's possible to keep it a secret, although some people may guess and figure it out. Does your 11 year old live with you? If yes, you need to come up with a plausible reason you are gone for 24 hours or so... and come back exhausted, in pain, and eating strangely. And why you might miss a few days to weeks of work if that is the case. I personally didnt tell my husband until I needed his help scheduling my appointments while I was out of town. I didnt tell my daughter who was 15 until a few days before surgery. I didnt tell my grown and flown sons until a month after surgery, and only because one was coming home for a visit and woukd know something is up. I will NOT tell my parents, siblings, or other family. A lot of co-workers now know, but that was my choice. I see them at work every day and they know I missed a lot of work and lost weight rapidly. I just decided to open up to them, but after my medical leave. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I have three kids under 10, I didn't tell them. I travel a lot for work so just told them I was on a trip when I was in hospital. I've told a few people now, at 5 months out, but still haven't told my kids. They know something is up as people keep commenting on my weight loss (turns out 32kg is pretty noticeable) but they don't need to know I had WLS. I'm focusing on eating heathy and exercising to try and be a good role model, so hopefully they won't end up on the weight rollercoaster like their Mum.

Its definitely possible! I told my bf, parents and siblings. Until this day its still a secret :)

When I had surgery, I only told my husband and maybe 3 very close friends. That's it. Not my children, not my parents, and not any extended family.

After a while, it didn't seem as important to me to keep it private and I told some other people. My adult children started asking questions about my health. They thought I was sick because I was losing so much weight and wasn't eating as much as before. The usual excuses of "another diet" started to fall flat with them. So, I told my kids. But, to this day no one in the rest of my family knows.

So, the privacy possibilities are yours. This is YOUR journey. Tailor it to your own personal needs. If you want to keep it close to your chest, you can certainly do that.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.