What a sensitive situation. Yes I know its hard to swallow, no pun intended, that people may be talking about you behind your back. I just had the surgery last Thursday, 2/19. I work in a huge office about 300 people. I am a social butterfly and people know me and notice when I am gone. I had a back problem and one of my friends said she was going to start saying I had herpes if I didnt get back because there were so many people, that were asking her where I was. I completely freaked out, knowing this surgery was coming. I also, didnt want to tell anyone, I wanted to just kinda disappear for a few weeks, come back in and I was going to say I had my appendix removed or something. Funny isnt it. The irony of making up another surgery to cover this one. I decided that I was just not going to openly tell, but the people that came up to me and asked or contacted me I would just tell them. So far, Im pretty sure that everyone knows. Because people do talk truth in life, even your "friends", they share with other close friends. Its all in good nature generally. From the few that did know, Im ok with it now. I decided that if anyone has a problem that they can go ahead and talk about it. Ignorance is in the world, something, being overweight Im sure you have dealt with in your past. I know I have. Just remember very soon there will be something else in the office going on that will overshadow your surgery. Just remember you are doing this for yourself. Some good words to remember, a nurse while was in the hospital told me, The people that talked about you when you were big are going to be the first ones to talk about you when you loose the weight. They are ALWAYS goign to talk... Whats important is if your happy!!