Another (slightly nervous) soon-to-be bandit

[bec*the*bandit 0]

Hi All - What a great site

I'm Bec, 27, from Australia and have just begun this journey - my surgery date is on May 13 and I'm having all the pre-op workup done between now and then. Seems like I have gallstones too so that'll take a bit longer.

I'm a GP in a small country town and my surgeon wants me to take three weeks off work (not that easy!) - people are going to notice I'm not there and friends will notice I'm not eating much when we go out to dinner etc - I don't really want to tell EVERYONE what's going on - I only plan on telling two friends for now that I'm being banded because as a doctor everyone thinks you should be able to fix yourself without "resorting" to a "quick fix" (not my words) - and which I know it's not - can anyone tell me how they handled dealing with inquisitive friends and family who you didn't really want to tell the full story too?

Thanks so much for reading

Bec

[btrieger 21]

Welcome aboard Dr Bec!

Congrats on your decision and I hope all goes well!

I don't think you should hide the fact that you are having surgery. If anything, you are being realistic. People don't think of doctors as some kind of invulnerable gods. We know you have the same physiology as the rest of us.

If it's of any comfort, there are many bandsters with medical professions that post here. Nurses, doctors, technicians, etc...

[bec*the*bandit 0]

Thanks - so nice to find a place that's not judgemental.

I'm sure it's mostly self-inflicted, but I reckon that's the biggest hurdle to jump - getting over that judgement factor. :frown: