There are very few people irl that know about my surgery. Now that I have lost almost 50lbs it is showing and when I see someone I haven't seen in a while they all ask "What diet are you doing? You look great! etc...." I know they are trying to be complementary however I am very uncomfortable telling people I am not that close with and prefer not to discuss it. I am so uneasy lying to people - it is just not in my nature. A friend of mine who had LB surgery said she tells people she is/has "done everything she possibly can to lose weight" and that is where I have been going with it these days....but that doesn't always work. People seem to want to know WHAT specific plan you are on.

What do you tell people?

After all the failure of diets, etc. I am proud to say I had the lap-band surgery. Frankly even with the band we are eating healthy and living right. I simply add that line as well that I'm eating properly as well. Be proud, you have paid for it and are living it and maybe it will help someone else that is in need! Also, thank them as you must look good!!

I tell everybody that I had Lap Band surgery. I'm not worried about what they think, especially if it isn't someone I'm particularly close to. I have had quite a few people ask more about it, for themselves or someone they know. If I can help someone, that's even better.

I tell everyone that I had the surgery, I don't care who knows or what they think about it.

If I were in your position, I would tell the truth in that you are being very careful about what you are eating, taking in only X amount of calories and not exceeding X amount of fat or carbs and you are exercising X amount of times per week, and it is really working for you. It is technically the truth, you are just omitting that you had surgery to help you do that

I tell everyone also. But you can always say it's eating smaller portions of healthier foods. I mean all the band does is force portion control.

That is a great reply Ezma..it IS the truth after all

In my own experience, the best way to bring myself out of an addiction(food or otherwise,) is to be honest with everyone about my point of view. I quit a 15 year smoking habit by letting everyone I know, they were extremely supportive, and at least tried to understand how I feel.

I am at a point in my life where I know that as a mother of two I will never look 20, anymore. I am okay with that, but I can be the best 34 year old I can. I deal with the public everyday, they see me changing too. When I get compliments, I let them know exactly what time it is. I have worked extremely hard, and will continue to do so. If i can inspire just one person to get help for their food addiction, then it will be a talk well worth the effort. The only time I have been ashamed, is when I declined to do anything about it...wrapped up in my pity, and embarrassing my kids.:eek:

I haven't told many people either, including my mother, who is very judgemental. When people ask how I'm losing weight, I tell them, "There's only one way. Eat less and exercise more." And that's the truth! It's nobody's business HOW you are managing to do that, and you aren't lying to anyone with that response.

Its funny that you put this thread up. I haven't lost more than 5 pounds in abou 2 months and people are just now noticing (I guess it keeps me positive at this point), but anyways I tell them that I upped my protien, lowered my carbs, and got an eliptical. All that is true. I don't feel like I'm lying. I personally can't tell people out of embarassment that I let myself get to the point where I had to have weight loss surgery. I also feel very uncomfortable when people ask how much I've lost. I usually just say some out of that same embarassment.

Yes, sometimes when people ask me how much I've lost, I'll say "More than you'll ever get me to admit to," and I laugh. That way, they know I'm not offended, but that I don't think it's any of their business.