It is a big decision and it is up to you to decide on who you tell or don't tell. I didn't tell anyone right away because the first time I investigated gastric lapband I didn't like the bariactic group that I was associated with and backed out. However, I found another group that made me feel like they were truly there becaused they cared. It was not just a business for them. My insurance made me do 6 months of pre op stuff before I could get the surgery. I didn't even mention it to my husband the second time around (who is VERY supportive) until the 4th month. He didn't tell anyone. He said it was up to me. I only told 2 of my sisters until right before the surgery. Then, I told the rest of my family. They were all very supportive and encouraging. However, I did not tell anyone at work except my boss. She is an awesome lady who had mentioned getting it done herself prior to my surgery. I will be honest and wondered why in the world I got the lapband the first 2 weeks post surgery. However, I SO love it now. I feel so thankful and blessed to have it! Also....you will enjoy this website. It has been more helpful than the local support group in which I attend once a month. Actually, I didn't even attend it last month as I feel I get more from this site. Good luck as you begin your journey!

Girl do you, don't feel ashamed becasue getting a breast reduction made you feel good about yourself. If you don't love you who will, It is totally up to you who you tell, but I say tell someone you love and trust and wont judge you. Someone you know will give you the support you need.

Hi mscarla123,I have found out telling your friends would be the wrong thing to do at this time,if you have 1 person that is going through every thing with you that is all you need,maybe a best friend or an significate other ,but when I told my family I was being judged and critisized for wanting to do something for myself,so if this is what you want to do I would say do it because you are doing it for you and you only not anyone else but once you start loosing weight and feeling good about your self then see who they talk about ....have fun with it and remember who you are doing this for....if you need a friend look me up because I am going through the same thing,,,and I need a friend as well...I am still in the siminar faze...waiting on insurance approval,,I would say go for it!!!!

MsCarla,

I was banded at the end of July 2010 and am down 40 lbs. Mine was elective surgery and was out of pocket. I had to lose 55 lbs. I tried everything and nothing worked! I decided, after long consideration that lapband was my answer. When I spoke to my 10 year old son and asked him his opinion, he told me that he loved me just the way I was, but that if I didn't love myself I needed to go through with this. He is way wiser than his years. Being that i am a full-time single mom and we do everything together I felt the need to explain the procedure to him and the implications.My Mother was a much harder obstacle to surpass. Eventually she came around. Besides my son, parents, and a couple of good friends no one else knew about my lap band. I decided I got enough criticism about my weight gain and any changes I make in my life that it was my choice. Everyone wants to know what "diet" I am on and commenting how good I look. I just smile and tell them lots of exercise and eating right. Mind you, these are a lot of people who use to call me fat and ask me if I was pregnant. She who laughs last has the last alugh. I feel wonderful and am nearing my goal and no one needs to know how I got there.

Barbie

I AGREE WITH YOU BARBIE!!!! THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT KNOW ABOUT MY BAND IS MY 1 SISTER AND MY HUSBAND. I WANT IT THAT WAY SO I FEEL I DON'T HAVE ANYONE LOOKING FOR INSTANT RESULTS. ALSO PEOPLE WILL TRY TO SABATOGE YOU AND YOUR WEIGHT LOSS. YOU DON'T NEED PEOPLE SAYING THINGS THAT WILL SWAY YOU FROM YOUR GOAL. I WAS BANDED ON SEPT.29/10. I HAVE GONE FOR 2 FILLS AND STILL HAVE NO RESTRICTION. I'M GOING BACK NEXT TUESDAT TO TRY THIS AGAIN. I HAVE ONLY LOST 3LBS. NOW IF I HAD TOLD THE WORLD ABOUT IT THEY WOULD THINK I SHOULD HAVE LOST 30 LBS. PEOPLE WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ITHAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS IS A PROCESS. IT TAKED TIME TO GET THE JUST AMOUNT OF FILL TO HAVE RESTRICTION. MAYBE WHEN I LOSE MY FIRST 100LBS I WILL SPILL THE BEANS. UNTIL THEN KEEP THE FAITH KIDO, I KNOW I WILL . BYE FOR NOW.

DEBI:P

You do not have to tell anyone about your lap-band surgery. I only told a few family members, And 1 or 2 wonderful friends and of course my husband. And they all surport my in what I had to do for my self. I did this for me I was so unhappy with my weight that it was stoping me from living. I took my best friend with with to the semiar and she was 100% not for it. And told me that I was crazy to do it and gave me hell, well she and I are know longer friends not just because of this but for a few things she was saying and doing. So only my true friends know, the ones that really loves me for me and wants only the very best for me. And this was the best thing I could of done for my self, I have lost 121 pouns in 14 months I have only 10 more pounds to go befor I get to my GOAL. My surgery was done on Oct, 26th 2010. The weight does not come off over night because we now have the tool call The lap-Band, It is going to take a lot of heard work just like any other weight lost program or diet.

SO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO YOU TELL IT'S ALL UP TO YOU..

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!!!

Hi,I would have to agree with Debra G,I have a good friend that Joined weight watchers and when I mentioned to her that I wanted to be banded the first thing she said was "I lost weight through weight watchers you can do it the same way I did"see what everyone do not know is that we have already gone through our own personal struggles and they go through there's, you handle yours,your way and they handle there's there way,I'm sure if it was that easy for some of us to loose weight at weight watchers,we would have done it a long time ago,but me personally I need that little extra help and the band offeres it to me with out being judged....we all have our own struggles and if you can find that special person or even better a couple of none judgemental people who loves you and support you no matter what.WHY NOT GO FOR IT,I AM.... I feel I am doing what I need to do to better me,and no I am not trying to sound selfish,but when being judged you dont go judging others....you make the best out of a good thing because I love me....and I am doing this for me...

I totally understand what you are talking about with the breast reduction! I had one too and I never knew how much my breast hid my stomach until they took 10lbs of breast tissue away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!