Help! Don't Know Whether To Tell Coworkers..

[Wisdom2KnowTheDifference 32]

Hey everyone! I am scheduled for surgery Sept 4 and I kind of want to tell my 2 close girlfriends at work but i'm not sure. They are definitely going to be curious as to why i'm going to be out of work and on liquids...

I was going to use the gallbladder surgery excuse, until I actually did have to have it removed last week (I told them about that). So thats not an option...

I kind of want to tell them but I guess I am worried about the usual stuff: negative reactions, thinking its cool to continuously ask me about my weight/ how its going, etc. I do not think either of them would blab about it to the rest of the office.

I also think if I don't tell them it might cause some kind of rift between us because they will know something is going on and we usually talk about everything.

Additional info: neither of them are overweight so I don't think jealousy would be an issue.

Thoughts?

[NWgirl 574]

It's really a very personal decision. I was out of work for a short amount of time and no ones knows (and if they know, they have the courtesy to not bring it up).

As for the food questions, you could just tell them you're trying out a new diet where you do a lot of liquid items (soups, Protein Shakes, jellos, etc). Most people won't bat an eye at the next crazy fad diet.

[Toddy 758]

If you tell them before the surgery they'll probably be all negative and try to talk you out of it. You know, everybody knows somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody that's died from this surgery!! (I'm thinking they all must know the same person because the mortality rate is pretty low!)

Anyway, if you don't tell them, it will probably come out after the fact. I have found that after the fact was better for me because people are somewhat less negative since you didn't die in surgery, and they see you walking, talking and acting like a regular person that just happens to be losing weight.

[smalltown 15]

If I it to do over again I would wait till after and u start losing weight because for me and many others it takes several months to start loseing because u have to fill it up for restriction and that can take several fills for me six months down and just now starting to lose steadily

[Lapbandster 496]

Personally, I did not tell anyone besides my sisters and mother. And I don't plan to tell anyone else. As someone else said, they will be always curios and asking questions (obviously no one tries to be rude but I cannot stand the badgering). Maybe they'll be negative and try to talk you out, and that would be very hard for you. Furthermore, it's very possible that it will take a few months to lose weight/get properly adjused and 99% of ppl don't realize this. Do you really want them writing you off as a "failure" when the pounds don't magically melt off?

It's just not worth it in my opinion.

As for the liquids, you can just say you have a bad flu or a stomach virus and the doc recommends liquids for a few days to hydrate you.

I know you probably won't like lying, but maybe you can say you got your appendix removed or something?

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

I agree it is a very personal decision. I told my coworkers and it has been fine but others have had bad experiences and people that weren't supportive. My coworkers inquired how I am doing here and there but, they have their own weight issues, so they don't seem to be "monitoring me" or being nosey about it. One thing I have noticed is coworkers come and go and you don't really "owe" them any explanation. I have left jobs over the years to move onto another or friends have left and we will say we are going to keep in touch and never do. So I consider most of them, just that, coworkers. I am friendly and sociable but know that they are not my "inner circle".

For me, it has been family (parents, etc) that seems to be more nosey and feel like they have the right to watch over me and want to tell me what I should be doing and how to lose weight.

Good luck w/ your decision.

[hls50 20]

This is such a personal decision...... I have decided not to tell many people at all. My husband, Son , my bestfriend. Everyone has so many opinion's about surgery and I personally just don't want to deal with what other people might think. Plus there is the never ending "how much weight have you lost?" and "are you supposed to be eating that?". If your already feeling hesitant about telling them then follow your gut,(no pun intended) and wait. As far as the liquid diet is concerned, you can just tell them you are drinking Protein shakes during the day and only eating one meal at night, just a suggestion. You will figure out what the best thing for you is to do :-)

Just curious, why did you have your gallbladder out? Were you having problems with it?

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

When you are ready to tell them you will. When I first got my band I didn't tell anyone other than my husband and parents. I had no intention of telling anyone either. But when people started noticing the weight loss, my approach changed. If I was asked how I was loosing the weight I sometimes told, but it was based on a gut feeling. I had no rhyme or reason behind it. Now most people know and yes some think its the easy way out, etc... but I don't care about their opinions. This is the best think I have ever done for myself. I will say that most have asked a lot of questions, like what do you eat, how much, do you have to exercise, etc. I think the biggest problem is the lack of knowledge about the band and how it works. I can't tell you how much time I have spent explaining the band to people. But I don't mind, I will continue to help educate as much as I can.

Bottom line is do what is best for you when you are ready. Good luck.

[Its_Me 4]

For me, I'm a very private person, so I don't think I'd tell. I know in the past when I've done Weight Watchers, I'd get comments like "are you supposed to be eating THAT?" I am considering the surgery and at this point I don't think anyone needs to know.

I'd probably tell my cat, but I'm pretty sure she'd keep it to herself.

[Disney Nut 60]

For me, I'm a very private person, so I don't think I'd tell. I know in the past when I've done Weight Watchers, I'd get comments like "are you supposed to be eating THAT?" I am considering the surgery and at this point I don't think anyone needs to know.

I'd probably tell my cat, but I'm pretty sure she'd keep it to herself.

Don't be so sure about the cat...if someone offered her catnip, your secret would be out!