It seems like EVERY TIME I diet someone has opinions about the way I'm doing things, it's so annoying! I really want to keep this one to myself and find it hard not saying anything to anyone. I keep telling myself that once its out then everyone will know and keep an eye on me. If there is any issues then I'm sure I will hear it.

How do you guys not tell people without lying? Ive told two of my closest friends and they aren't really support since they are fat too and are jealous/think its too drastic

Cingulus,

Great point of view!

Hi,

I got my surgery 11/18/2008. My family knows, close friends and 3 coworkers. My starting weight was 287, as of yesterday i am down to 219. so 67lbs. People are seeing a difference. My coworker that does know, never even ask that. they just say i am eating less. and i say yes. which is 100% true. I dont think everyone needs to know. some people will just be a pain.... but if you feel the need to tell them....do it....

I am keeping a secret at work but to one other person who had is done already. I work in a hospital already, I just don't want people knowing my business. I told my parents and one my kids, my other ones are young and don't understand. I am going to tell them mom going to have surgery but not much more at this time.

I am with you lotsbirds I don't know how to get the tickerfactory thing to work. My surgery is set for June 8th I do have the preop next week and to get paper work done so I can get time off from work. I start my pre op diet in 6days. oh chocolate shakes here I come!!! I have wondered should I go out to dinner the next few days and have one last great meal?? But there isn't anything pressing I want. I want to lose weight!!! I want to keep up to my working out 3/4days a week!!! I want feel normal!

I can Understand How you Feel and you have every right in the world to feel like that! Do it for yourself noone needs to know.. There are many ways to speak of it when the weight starts to come off ..just enjoy the attention.. being FAT peoples perception of You will change, and thats all that matters to you! and being Happy!

Its a very personal decision for me and in which i choose not to tell anyone other then my supportive hubby.

It just takes the pressure off:)

I get my support for him and these great forums.

Mabe once my surgery is over with ( May 28th) I will change my mind, but for now, its me & my man! lol

I only told a select few. Those who I knew wouldn't voice strong opinions and be negative. In the end, this was my decision and my husband supported me 100% and that was all that mattered. I have maintained that over the months and some I never plan to tell. The way I handle the question "what are you doing to lose weight"? I tell them smaller portions and exercise, which is the truth. I just omit telling them about the lapband. It's really none of their business. With the lapband you are successful when you look at it as a tool and do what's necessary to make that tool work for you. If you have a hammer, you can't get the nail in the wood until you do something with the hammer to get that nail in, right? Same with the lapband, without reducing portion sizes and incorporating some sort of exercise, it will not work. Hope this helps.

I am still in early stages and had my 1st consulation on Sunday and have decided to have an easyband fitted. I have so far only told a select few people and have had very mixed reactions. I don't think I will share it with anyone else at least not yet, good luck with your journey

I am still in early stages and had my 1st consulation on Sunday and have decided to have an easyband fitted. I have so far only told a select few people and have had very mixed reactions. I don't think I will share it with anyone else at least not yet, good luck with your journey

What is an easyband?

I don't think they are yet approved in the states, the band is more or less the same but has a tiny motor built into it, the biggest difference is that there is no port, all fills are done by an electronic machine, i have opted for this as I am scared of needles lol

I'm so glad you posted this question, I thought I was the only one keeping it a secret. I told my sister because she and I are close and I need her to bring me home from the hospital. But as far as everyone else, I've mentioned it in a conversation and most of the responses I got were, if you don't need surgery to put on the weight, then you don't need it to take it off. Other people have said, "just pray" and most people have said that is it stupid. So I've decided not to say anything to any body. I'm due to get banded by the 1st of June and can't wait. Good luck in your journey!!!!

"Just Pray" @*!!!!

Would they say the same if you had cancer or heart disease etc.

I'm not religious but isn't there a saying that " God helps those who helps themselves"?

This just reconfirms for me that it is not a good idea to tell everyone. Its your body, your health and your business.

Only wife daughter and secretary. They are in the best position to be supportive. I will tell a couple of close friends after the surgery....but its really a personal issue. And if you tell them you have had to change your eating habits for long term health...you don't have to worry about not telling the truth.

I've read all the recent posts and have to say that I only told a few select people, then a few more select peole who are told to keep it to themselves. I didn't want anyone to know because they'd think I'm weak andcouldn't do it on my own. I didn't want anyone watching what I eat, or commenting on my eating habits, or giving me grief, or looking at how much weight I lost.

But I have to tell you that I am 16 months out and it's getting more and more uncomfortable for me. First I said I was doing Protein shakes to lose the weight, eatomg small meals, then I added exercise (which I don't do much), then I went to saying I took diet pills as more and more people were asking and wanting to know how I lost the weight and so fast.

My point is I feel like a liar at this time. I'm really uncomfortable saying I took diet pills, people see how fast I've lost and have probably come to their own conclusion anyway. But now, I feel that I have to watch what I say all the time and lie, lie, lie. It makes my band seem shameful to me, as I thought others would feel about me if I told them about the lapband when I did it.

I'm thinking about telling people now, but can you imagine what they'd think of me for lying to them for 16 months and then coming out with the truth.

I'm not a liar by nature.

All I want to say is think about what it will be like in the longterm. I know you'll make the right decision,. Good luck to all those who have their date coming up. It's a great tool and you will probably be happy you did it just lik me.

I'm having this same issue right now. I am 5'7 about 270, I am on medications that are making it just totally impossible for me to lose weight. I have never ever had a problem with losing weight (I would gain it back!) But I just can't lose this weight and it's done a toll on me as a Mother, a wife, a friend and my self esteem. I never leave my house anymore! ANYWAY, I told my father in law about the surgery ... He can totally understand and see where I am coming from and why I am taking this step. On the OTHER hand tho, I cannot even talk to my Mother in law about it though because she recently lost about 125 lbs. by starving herself and walking about 5 hrs. a day on the treadmill. So she thinks I'm taking the easy way out. I'm not telling anyone about anything! I have already heard from some people that I had mentioned it to when I was thinking about doing the surgery and got blasted with "You've lost weight before! You can do it now!" Yeah, well ... Screw them :smile: They don't know what hell I have been going through trying to get this weight off ... My husband constantly tries to explain (most of them are skinny!) but no one listens/understands because they are oblivious to the life as a fat person.

I say keep it HUSH HUSH and let them all wonder how you are losing the weight and keeping it off :mad2: I plan on telling all of the ones that didn't listen to me that I've become a bulimic :tt2: ha ha ha

My point is I feel like a liar at this time. I feel that I have to watch what I say all the time and lie, lie, lie. It makes my band seem shameful to me, as I thought others would feel about me if I told them about the lapband when I did it.

I'm thinking about telling people now, but can you imagine what they'd think of me for lying to them for 16 months and then coming out with the truth.

I'm not a liar by nature.

All I want to say is think about what it will be like in the longterm. I know you'll make the right decision,. Good luck to all those who have their date coming up. It's a great tool and you will probably be happy you did it just like me.

Thanks for that-

I realize that maybe the reason that I have been telling more people and told the woman I talked about in my last post is just this! Besides trying to inform and help her,I am not ashamed of my band and I am not a liar!! JUst so tired of making up excuses of how I lost 123 lbs!! I still think I will hold back on telling too many people I don't know who just come out of the woodwork and tell me I look great and how did I do it. But this post put a new perspective on things for me.