For those of you that are not telling everyone you are getting or already have the Lap-Band, what did you tell people the surgery was for? Most people will not even know I will be having surgery of anykind, but I will have to tell a few something- like the mom of the girl I babysit for, I will have to tell her to find someone else for a few days or so, she lives close by, so I can't just tell her I am going to be out of town. I have always felt the need to explain myself and I'm too passive to tell her it's none of her business. What did you tell your boss, I guess is my general question? Thanks- Chelle

I have a hernia, so I'm going to tell everyone that I'm having hernia repair surgery. Alot of people have them repaired during lap band. If you are comforatable with a fib,that will work. Seems to have the same recovery time, and will explain your "new" diet.

That's perfect! I hate lying, but I also don't want to hear everyone's opinions either! Thanks- Chelle

For those of you that are not telling everyone you are getting or already have the Lap-Band, what did you tell people the surgery was for? Most people will not even know I will be having surgery of anykind, but I will have to tell a few something- like the mom of the girl I babysit for, I will have to tell her to find someone else for a few days or so, she lives close by, so I can't just tell her I am going to be out of town. I have always felt the need to explain myself and I'm too passive to tell her it's none of her business. What did you tell your boss, I guess is my general question? Thanks- Chelle

I am going to tell my coworkers that I am having some Health Issues, my doctor has insisted that I lose weight and really do not want to discuss it. Hopefully that will cut the questions

I told everyone I had gall bladder surgery...same scars. It explains a lot and no one even questions

I told everyone I had gall bladder surgery...same scars. It explains a lot and no one even questions

Same here. Although I did finally tell most of my friends since I have nothing to be ashamed of. With work it's more of a protecting my privacy thing. Plus I am the HR/Benefits Manager. Our company insurance doesn't cover it but my husband's does. DOn't want anyone angry at me for being able to have it

hmm well it never bothered me to tell ppl I dont go telling everyone but when I do tell someone they are so excited and want so many details it doesnt bother me at all I dont feel ashamed I tell them I much rather this than dieting and gaining the rest of my life until it kills me :party:

What I've done is kind of casually mention here & there that I've been thinking about doing the Atkins to jump start my metabolism & my dr has a new nutritionist & work & that I'm gonna be starting his strict program soon. Everyone knows I already tried alot of diets & with having diabetes they know I am ready to get strict with myself. I work in a salon & the last thing I need is for the lap band to issue get out of the bag. Yes its all a big lie but again, its nobody's business.

I also told them my sister is coming from out of town for a week of summer vacation & I want tio spend some time w/her. Good luck!

I didn't tell them what the surgery was for. I just said I was having "a surgical procedure" and left it at that. Most people understood that this mean it's NOYB.

Now that I am obviously loosing weight, people are asking me all kinds of questions - how am I doing it (Answer: I eat less and exercise more - TRUE). How much have you lost? (I will never answer that question!) My usual answer is "not enough". Two weeks ago somebody actually confronted me - saying - OK, did you have a weight loss procedure when you were out? I just answered, surprised, "You mean my hernia repair?" (True, I did have a hernia repaired)

At church, somebody asked my Mom if I had 'one of those lap bands in Mexico." My mom said No (half true, I did not go to Mexico.)

I told only those who needed to know - my boss. My employee health nurse - who keeps making comments and asking me about it before meetings/when others are present, even after I tell her it is a confidential and I'd appreciate her not talking about it. ( I was required to tell her! )

As it becomes more obvious, I may tell some people I just don't want to have them watching me, evaluating how much I lose. After I am nearer my goal, I may tell people I can trust, and make sure they know that even though I have the band, I am still doing the work!! And it isn't easy just because you have a band.

Some people may like to tell coworkers and then appreciate their support. For me, I don't like to be the center of attention and find it embarassing - sort of like pointing out what a failure I was at weight management that I needed to have the band.

What I do apprecate are people who say things like "I don't know how you're doing it, but you're looking great!" :-)

In the end...do what feels right for you. In truth, It's nobody's business unless you want it to be. People react differently to knowing - some are great, some are jealous, some are just curious, some are just being nosey.

Good luck w/ your journey!

i told my boss that i needed to have surgery so i was going to need a week off work. by law they can't ask what the surgery is for. for the other people at work i just said it wasn't something i wanted to talk about right now. now that 2 months have passed, i have started telling my closer friends at work.

I know what you mean but seeing as though the lap band is generally like a day surgery I don't see why anyone has to know you know? At the moment my mum and dad know as well as my aunt because my mum needed someone to talk to but the only reason my mum knows is because I prefer her to come with my to my hospital appointments - My dad knows because I was put in hospital and we thought we should tell him before the Dr blurted it out and my dad was left there wondering what was going on lol and I plan on eventually telling my 2 sisters - at the moment I still live at home so there going to need to know - especially when my sister is in a playful/annoying mood and sometimes hits me in the stomach (not hard but after the band she's going to get a black eye if she does it lol) I plan on going out with my sisters and mum the night before the 2 week diet and telling them - kind of like a last meal thing - As for surgery, no one really needs to know I mean I don't see people often enough that they would wonder where I am and hopefully it being only a night stay I can come home and just sleep - If people ask you why your loosing weight just say you've given up bread because technically it's true - if you did give up bread, rice pasta and didnt have the lap band you would loose weight and really your not eating it afterwards so you actually are being truthful - I think if people ask me how I do it I'll just say "Well I went on the optifast shakes for about 2 weeks but got sick of it and I'm just sick of being the way I am so I gave up breads,pasta and rice" Technically your not lying and if you don't want to tell people and they have no right knowing it's the absolute perfect excuse!