I agree with you, when I first made my decision I was going to keep it a secret, but I figure I am making a great decision. I see that you have lost a lot of weight from this and I have hopes. To my surprise though all my friends and family supported me, but some did have some concerns and I answered all their questions and they feel safe about my decision.

I also told my family . The only problem was if I slow down on losing weight they look at me and want to know what Im doing wrong. Its a hard enough journey than having to worry about what every one else thinks. I think you are doing a great job and keep up the great work.

I'm an open book, so everyone around me knows what I have done. But I'm also extremely fortunate to have a supportive network around me. I have heard stories of people that are constantly judged by their loved ones and that can't be easy. People's journeys are different and how they get through them are also going to be different. I'm 100% behind you that we need to (nicely) stop the Band Bashers.

- I guess i never looked at it as a lie....? I am just a VERY private person all around...I am tight-lipped about most everything in my life.....Only my husband knows ALL of my "personals"....not even my BFF knows all ...

- I guess if someone asked me directly, I would answer and say "yes, I had LB surgery"...but otherwise, it just doesnt come up in day-to-day conversation.....

- Now, after having this surgery and finding out that the LB doesnt start working right away, then I was very glad that I didnt tell b/c then everyone would be looking at me wondering why i wasnt "loosing 100 pounds right away"...I'm sure i could explain the whole process over and over and over again, but I dont see that as my obligation...If someone on this site asked "why isnt my band working right now? I was banded last week", then I am willing to explain it to them.....

- I also think that in general, people believe that if you've had LB surgery, you are never supossed to eat a "treat" or eat "normal food" again...so again, I'd be obligied to start w/the information session, again....

- for me, its just easier this way....but as we say all the time on this site, everyone is different

PS - i would never stand around and let the band be bashed or standby while a fellow bandster was being bashed....I'd join in, in full support of the proceedure and bandsters everywhere!

I tend to be someone who tells a lot of people a lot of things. Not saying that is right, by any means.

I do wish I had told less people. Only because I have about 15 people watching me daily at work and some say "you didn't lose any weight yesterday?" then I have to go through the whole thing over again -- weight loss TOOL, process, lifestyle, etc etc.

And my mother is the worst of all. I am seriously already nervous about going there for Thanksgiving. It will never be enough no matter how much weight I lose by then or how different I look. She just has a different mindset.

I have a couple great supporters that are around to defend me. And trust me, I will be around to support any and all of you!

Hugs*******

I tell people as I choose to, I don't lie or hide it.. but just as with any other medical procedure or diagnoses I don't go around reporting it to other people either, it's not their business.

Like right now I have a knee issue (I rebuke surgery in the name of Jesus ) but because I'm not up and active like I normally am everyone is like are you ok..what's wrong with your leg... to some I just say "I'm good, I'm just healing" to others I'll tell them what's going on. When it comes to all things medical it's REALLY not anyone's business to know or ask, but that's just my opinion.

When it comes to being banded many people feel like you're cheating and you took the easy way out as if we don't work hard for this EVERY day.. but we do, much more so than if we were just dieting but they don't understand. I choose not to argue with fools.

I only tell those who are close to me about about my LB prcuedure. Maily for the many reasons stated above. As I begin to lose weight I probably will tell more people. But mostly I don't want people to look at me a judge me for taking this route to lose weight. If peple ask me I'll tell them But I ma not go to voluteer my health decisions to everyone.

I wasn't going to tell my co-workers but them I got breast cancer. I figured if I started to lose weight, they would assume it was the cancer and I was not doing well. So I told them and they were extremely supportive.

Now, I will tell anyone who will listen to me. I am very proud of what I am doing - the band is a tool, but I am doing all of the work. Watching my food intake, exercising, drinking my water, attending group and blogging.

My insurance company would not pay for any of it. I am hoping that perhaps enough people will see how well I am doing and will encourage their friends and family. Perhaps one day the insurance company will realize how this surgery can save people's lives and help those who want to be banded after me.