What do you do when people your not close with ask how you lost weight? I have told all my close family and friends my plans for bariatric surgery but its not something I could see myself advertising to others. For example I work with a lot of men. I feel like it will be awkward if they ask how I'm loosing the weight.

I decided quite early on just to be completely honest if asked directly. It’s made everything a lot easier really, no need to remember who I told what etc.
To be honest, not a lot of people have had the guts to really ask! I can often see people itching to ask but never offer up the information just like that. I kinda enjoy watching them squirm like that ?
Telling people about it has never really felt awkward to me. I don’t feel ashamed of having had WLS and I’ve gained a lot of self confidence since ?

I just tell people I'm eating really healthy and moving my body more. All of which is true. But for a multitude of personal reasons, I've chosen to share my surgery story with those absolutely closest to me. There have been an instance or two that I've chosen to share with someone that I had previously though I wouldn't, so to some extent I take it case by case. But by and large I don't share. Its a VERY personal choice and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

What do you do when people your not close with ask how you lost weight? I have told all my close family and friends my plans for bariatric surgery but its not something I could see myself advertising to others. For example I work with a lot of men. I feel like it will be awkward if they ask how I'm loosing the weight.

It depends on who does the asking. If the person is overweight and asking a genuine question then they get the truth. Others are just plain nosy and would not be very complimentary when they added it to their daily gossip. I didn't tell anyone but my husband and son at first. Then added my bff from school and they were happy for me. My other family, I have waited until I visited or bumped into them. Same again, I have told some, others meh, they don't need to know. It has worked for me.

I have just said to those that have mentioned my weight loss that I have a nutritionist, I'm exercising 5x a week, I'm eating high protein/low carb and I'm eating small portions and not drinking, all of which are true. So really you can say you adopted a healthy lifestyle which you did.

If someone asks I will tell them because maybe they are looking for answers for their problem too or someone they love. I had 2 people tell me that they had a gastric bypass 10 years before. l had always known them thin so I was surprised to learn that they had had a bypass, but also encouraged by that too. I mean they have both kept they weight of for 10 years!! These two ladies are the reason I got started on the path of weight loss. So if some one asks me I will tell them truthfully.

Edited January 31, 20233 yr by MountainClover

01/30/2023 06:44 PM, kla7403 said:

What do you do when people your not close with ask how you lost weight? I have told all my close family and friends my plans for bariatric surgery but its not something I could see myself advertising to others. For example I work with a lot of men. I feel like it will be awkward if they ask how I'm loosing the weight.

I’ve only told limited people. For two others who acted almost as if entitled to be hear about my weight loss my go to is “ I’ve spent my entire life talking about my weight and I’d prefer not to waste another moment discussing it.” 

I told some people & not others too. Those I hadn’t told about the surgery, I’d say I was seeing a dietician, changing what I was eating, had done lots of reading & had the support of my doctor. All true. If they wanted to know what diet I was following I’d say, again truthfully, not a diet, but a way of eating that worked for me.

I'm the same as a couple of the others - close friends and family knew, as well as others who were obese and asking a genuine question. For most others, I told them I was working with a dietitian and exercising like a fiend. People without a history of weight problems usually believe that schlock and are satisfied with that answer.

19 hours ago, kla7403 said:

What do you do when people your not close with ask how you lost weight?

The easiest way is to tell the truth. People have their curiosity satisfied and continue to mind their own business, especially the men.

"high protein, calorie deficit & I workout 4x a week" because it's still true!

I tell the truth. I'm a pretty open and honest person, and I don't care what they think of me. I am not a good liar and I just think for me it would be much harder to try to come up with some other story.

I have only told my family and close friends about my surgery, and if anyone explicitly asks if I did I tell them. For general diet questions I say prioritizing protein, avoiding added sugar, and small frequent meals. When I went out for dinner with a large group I told them I was avoiding gluten for digestive reasons. I’m still in the soft food stage so all of these things are true without sharing I’ve had surgery.

Hi,

I'm new here. I've decided that I'm just going to be open and honest about my health journey if anyone asks or makes comments. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Glp-1 medicines and/or weight loss surgery are effective tools to help many of us who struggle with being overweight or obese. I'm working hard on my health, my overall well-being, and my quality of life. If someone asks me something or makes a comment, I will respond honestly and concisely. I will not let anyone's judgements, biases, or ignorance hurt me anymore. As someone who has been obese most of my adult life, I've already endured that for decades. Part of my health journey is to not worry about others' opinions of me anymore. I know that I'm making healthy choices. I know that I have a good medical team supporting me. And I know that I am heading in the right direction for my health and longevity.

6 hours ago, Renee5612 said:

Hi,

I'm new here. I've decided that I'm just going to be open and honest about my health journey if anyone asks or makes comments. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Glp-1 medicines and/or weight loss surgery are effective tools to help many of us who struggle with being overweight or obese. I'm working hard on my health, my overall well-being, and my quality of life. If someone asks me something or makes a comment, I will respond honestly and concisely. I will not let anyone's judgements, biases, or ignorance hurt me anymore. As someone who has been obese most of my adult life, I've already endured that for decades. Part of my health journey is to not worry about others' opinions of me anymore. I know that I'm making healthy choices. I know that I have a good medical team supporting me. And I know that I am heading in the right direction for my health and longevity.

That is really good to get in that head space. BUT, keep your inner circle small. Their opinions will hurt the most.

On 7/6/2026 at 12:53 AM, Renee5612 said:

Hi,

I'm new here. I've decided that I'm just going to be open and honest about my health journey if anyone asks or makes comments. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Glp-1 medicines and/or weight loss surgery are effective tools to help many of us who struggle with being overweight or obese. I'm working hard on my health, my overall well-being, and my quality of life. If someone asks me something or makes a comment, I will respond honestly and concisely. I will not let anyone's judgements, biases, or ignorance hurt me anymore. As someone who has been obese most of my adult life, I've already endured that for decades. Part of my health journey is to not worry about others' opinions of me anymore. I know that I'm making healthy choices. I know that I have a good medical team supporting me. And I know that I am heading in the right direction for my health and longevity.

Hi Renee & welcome! I was the original poster of this topic three years ago. Everyone is different but be prepared for the haters! Sometimes people NEED a reason on why you've been successful at loosing weight and maybe they haven't. People are quick to say you cheated or you only lost weight BECAUSE of XYZ, (surgery, GLP1, etc) Some people will discredit your hard work almost to make themselves feel better. "She only lost weight because she had surgery" "She didn't loose it naturally" Loosing weight will make people around you insecure. Some of my biggest cheerleaders in the beginning turned into my biggest critics after the weight came off. People find security in you being bigger then them. I was the fat friend, now I'm smaller then most of them and it makes them insecure. People who once praised me have the nerve to make comments like "I hope this doesn't turn into an easting disorder" Just be prepared for some people to possibly be disappointing.