i too have kept this a secret from everyone. i believe this is my secret and mine only. like you, i dont need no one "monitoring me" or judging me. My husband and kids, along with my sister and best friend is the only people who knows i got banded. I didnt even tell my parents (they have big mouths...lol). i talked to my doctor, asked him if it was "healthy" keeping this a secret and he feels as long as my immediate familyn knows, then its no one business. im almost a month out and i only lost 12 lbs. after i "healed", i began to eat a bit more and gained five lbs i then lost it again my 1st fill is on the 2nd of next month and im hoping to lose a lot more. at this point post surgery, if i wanted to, i can eat as much as i want i dont wanna get discouraged, so i'll just wait til after the 1st fill. so bottom line, as long as ur comfortable with keeping the secret to urself, den by all mean, do so good luck in ur journey