Has anyone kept their lap band a secret?

[emily5000 5]

I was banded 3 days ago and I have told a select few. I just think some people like my mother-in-law will not approve. I plan to be more open about it once I really learn how to use my band when I am in the eating stage. I just don't want it to be like every other diet where I tell people and then fail and then feel even worse about myself. There is a girl I work with that has lost over 120lbs from diet and exercise alone and she declared it to the entire staff the entire time she was losing. Now she is starting to really pack on the pounds again and I am sure is she is also dealing with a little public humiliation so this is an example why I am going to keep it to myself for now.

[Meduseld 29]

I have actually told pretty much everybody that cares about me. I'm not running, screaming it down the streets, but a lot of people know. I figured that they were gonna ask, and I wasn't gonna lie. And truthfully, if they can't handle it and think I'm a "cheater", then they definitely don't know me. Most everybody knows I struggled with my weight my whole life, and they all love hearing about how I'm doing on Facebook and such. Everybody that I know is incredibly supportive and a lot of people have even asked about it themselves. This lap band is now a big part of who I am, or at least my lifestyle, and people need to learn to accept it. If they think badly of me for it, it's their loss!

[Ladymontague02 0]

I'm a little over a week out of surgery I've only told a few family members and friends. I will tell them when I feel ready. It's a very personal decision and it's no ones business. Plus, I'm the kind of person that doesn't really like to be made a fuss over so I'm like that anyway, no matter what it is.

Good luck to you

[michelleg777 0]

I kept it from my employer and co-works. Actually a lot of people don't know except close family.

I don't think I want people to know when I get banded besides close family that will probably have to help me day of surgery and what not. Has anyone else kept their band a secret from people when people start asking how you losing all your weight? What made you come to the decision to keep it to yourself and has it been easy to keep quiet?

[Debora Anne 3]

That is exactly what happened to me! I told one co-worker (she had the band put in 2years ago) and boom she told EVERYONE But no big deal she was excited for me and all but one person is supportive and have been great -

If I do get a band, my wife will know, and thats it. I hate the minute you tell one person, and they swear not to tell anyone, BAM it spreads like wide fire.

[Firecallie 2]

I kept it quiet. My mom knows, and my husband of course. That was going to be the only people that knew, but at one point 2 of my closest friends got worried that I was becoming anorexic. I told them that night they decided to have an intervention and they were very supportive! With everyone else, it's still a personal choice to keep it quiet. However, now I kind of wish I hadn't been so secretive.

[Jackie VA 0]

My husband knows and my mother in law and my closet friend and that is it. Everyone else knows I had surgery because I was out of it for a few days and I told them i had emergency surgery. My family is very critical and judgmental of me. between my parents and my siblings, i am the fattest one. Losing weight does not come easy for me at all. I have struggled all my life and I don't want to be lectured about this being the easy way out and I am taking an easy way out.

Will I tell them eventually? Who knows. Time will tell, but right now, I am keeping it all a secret.

Like dejastar I have an overly critical family who are all skinny and most don't understand my weight problem at all. I only told 2 of my siblings, have not told my mother or my other siblings. One aunt knows, as she was my inspiration to get off my butt and get the surgery, but there are more family members who don't know vs. those who do. My closest friends know, and a few coworkers who I felt were already my at work cheerleaders and who have all been supportive (even though they are bothered at times by no rice and no pasta). I may tell more people later on, but for right now, it's a private matter and I don't need the stress from those who would be negative.

[mynewlife86 0]

I have only told a few people. My best friend and husband and a few ppl at work know.

Nobody in my family knows. I've lost and gained weight my whole life so nobody in my family ever really questioned it.

[Anna Marie 0]

If I decide to have it done I'll be only telling my mom & dad. I agree similar to bluekerry, I don't want that stigma. Like when people start talking about how much weight you've lost, there's that someone who always says "Oh yeah, she had that surgery done". Then it goes from "Wow" to "Ohhhh..." My co-workers know that (prior to my ankle surgery) I had been eating better & going to the gym and I plan to continue that so that's what I'm going to tell them. It isn't their business anyway and I want people to be proud of me, not judge me.

I sooooo agree with you. I have surgery in the morning and the only person that knows is my husband. My mom had Gastric bypass surgery a few years ago and my sisters were very judgemental. (of course they are the skinny ones in the family) I mainly kept quiet and only wished her to be healthy.

[sunshine_x 1]

When I decide on the surgery I don't know who I really want to know and who I don't want to know. Obviously my parents will know because they will be the ones getting the surgery for me. Right now the only people that know are my mom (I honestly don't know if she has told my dad I'm thinking about it or not) and I've mentioned it to my best friend. I wouldn't mind my family knowing (they've all seen my struggle with weight loss through the years) BUT there are a few people in my family that just can't keep things to myself.. and I'd really rather not have people find out from others besides me.. much less people I don't even really know.

[minniekitty 44]

My parents, sister, aunt, and boyfriend know. I did tell my best friend I was thinking about it, but she gave me the typical "why don't you just diet and exercise?" lecture, so I'm not going to tell her that I actually went through with it. I haven't had it yet, but I think I'm just going to tell her that I dieted and exercised. It's a shame, because she's obese like I am and I would have hoped that she'd be more supportive (and maybe interested in it herself).

My parents know because they're paying for it as a graduation present. My boyfriend knows because I'm sure he'll want to know why the heck I have cuts on my stomach. And, I could use the support of someone outside my family. My aunt's coming with me when I have the surgery (she had her sleeve by the same surgeon). My sister knows because she lives with my parents and kind of picked it up.

I'm not telling anyone else. People can be so judgmental and vicious, especially concerning the taboo of WLS. Maybe after I lose the weight, I'll gain the confidence to be more open. But for now, I'm staying in my own little shell of discretion.

[Flip Flop 1]

My parents, sister, aunt, and boyfriend know. I did tell my best friend I was thinking about it, but she gave me the typical "why don't you just diet and exercise?" lecture, so I'm not going to tell her that I actually went through with it. I haven't had it yet, but I think I'm just going to tell her that I dieted and exercised. It's a shame, because she's obese like I am and I would have hoped that she'd be more supportive (and maybe interested in it herself).

My parents know because they're paying for it as a graduation present. My boyfriend knows because I'm sure he'll want to know why the heck I have cuts on my stomach. And, I could use the support of someone outside my family. My aunt's coming with me when I have the surgery (she had her sleeve by the same surgeon). My sister knows because she lives with my parents and kind of picked it up.

I'm not telling anyone else. People can be so judgmental and vicious, especially concerning the taboo of WLS. Maybe after I lose the weight, I'll gain the confidence to be more open. But for now, I'm staying in my own little shell of discretion.

[Flip Flop 1]

I planned to keep it a secret but, then I told my best friend and found her to be so supportive and not judgemental at all. Of course my husband and kids know but, I haven't told my mom or inlaws. I don't think they will be as supportive as my family and friend.

[Live4life 6]

The only person for me that knows is my mom. She's my best friend, and went through every diet with me. I think it's necessary to tell 1 person, in case you ever have a complication. BUT, make sure this person is someone that can take this secret to the grave!! However, we all have diverse opinions on this topic, and everyone must do what they feel is right in their heart. <3

[Tomander 614]

I told everyone. I figured the lapband is for life and I figured eventually people would find out.

I have no regrets at all.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs