Hi,
I too went to Dr. Aceves. And he and his staff are nothing short of awesome. There have been many times I have questioned whether or not I actually had surgery because I haven't had any of the typical complaints people have after a sleeve. It has been awesome. I am 11 weeks post op and have lost 45 lbs post op and 40 preop for a total of 85 lbs since April. Now, I am a heavy weight, so I still have another 135 to go. But I figure I will be at goal by next summer, one year post op. It's not been easy, but it is not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.
I too was not comfortable telling everyone because I have been judged harshly by others for being overweight and had no desire to be judged even more for my decision to do something permanent about my yo-yo. To date, only a handful of people know. My father and son do not know that I have lost my weight through surgery because I was on a high Protein diet for 4 months preop. I am sure my son's wife suspects, but they don't know for sure. Too many people think it's the easy way out if they have never been in our shoes. And I CAN lose weight. I have gained and lost and regained 250 lbs over my adult life (was a normal weight prior to adulthood). I just cannot keep it off. Until now. And I have never been a junk food junkie. I did eat large portions and never felt full...always hungry. I am still on high prots, low carbs and will remain here until reach goal. After that, I believe I will go back to a balanced diet, just with my current portions.
However, I started an RN refresher program 2 weeks ago. I am sad to report that my instructor "outed" me to the whole class on the first day within the first 10 mins. I couldn't believe it. I guess because her husband had a bypass she felt enabled to just blurt it out. She knew because I had asked for a preceptee arrangement at a local bariatric center. I figured if I had to do student nursing again, after being a nurse for 33 years, that I wanted it to be meaningful to me. But I never asked her to keep it confidential...just assumed she wouldn't say anything. Well, the bimbo barbie dolls in class felt it necessary to chew on that info during a break. How tacky. Turns out one of then had lost 100 lbs (70 on HCG and 30 on the divorce diet) but she it the REAL way, and didn't take the easy way out like I did...yatta yatta. Personally, I don't see where HCG is any healthier than surgery. The one bimbo says to the other "You don't look or act like someone who has had a weight problem..." Nice. I turned and walked away. Small minded and petty. Well, she's only early 30's and from my experience and the statistics, she WILL gain it back (at least she has a 96% chance of it) and likely with a bonus.
Bottom line: We here did the right thing. We have to do what we have to do. And if it takes something drastic to get healthy, then that's right for us. And if you don't want people to talk about it, you'd best get them to promise not to up front.
GG