A New Home - Sleeve People!

[Carmella 0]

One time on the other site I referred to the sleeve sisters as a family and I must say that you are all becoming much more like that than ever before. VegasAngel said the forum has been become her exchange addiction. I am one of the sleevers (going to be next week) that has chosen not to tell family or co workers about this surgery. I find myself wanting to talk about something so badly especially since it is such a big thing in my life and here is the only place I can talk about it. Its not often when I feel like I need such a voice and then to have things that I do say to be appreciated and found to be of value. Kudos to all of us and thank you for being here for me and the others like me.

I've told my family and one friend (who are all overweight btw), and I've been very surprised by the negative reactions I've received. Not one person has supported me so far; they all try to talk me out of it. Usually with anecdotal evidence like "I think Al Roker has gained some of the weight back". I did a lot of research before I made the decision, so they won't change my mind, but it's nice to be able to come here and talk to people who truly understand. I'm going to have to tell my boss soon so I can get the time off work, and I'm very concerned about her reaction. She's one of those very skinny people who has probably never dieted in her life, so I'm afraid she won't be able to relate.

[Elisabethsew 50]

If you feel uncomfortable telling your boss, don't. You only have to let her know that you're having a surgical procedure and that you require "X" amount of days off. I elected not to tell anyone but the same two people who knew I was going to have lapband surgery three years earlier. When your friends and family see you losing weight and improving the quality of your life THEY will have to EAT their words.

[Malaika 50]

If you feel uncomfortable telling your boss, don't. You only have to let her know that you're having a surgical procedure and that you require "X" amount of days off. I elected not to tell anyone but the same two people who knew I was going to have lapband surgery three years earlier. When your friends and family see you losing weight and improving the quality of your life THEY will have to EAT their words.

I told my boss just that -- he didn't ask anymore as I am sure he was afraid I would tell him it was female related ... LOL

[MacMadame 81]

She's one of those very skinny people who has probably never dieted in her life, so I'm afraid she won't be able to relate.

She may not be able to related but she may be excited for you that you are doing something for your health. I know that's been the general reaction among my fit friends. The thing is, while you'd expect the overweight to understand -- and some of them do -- many of them are in the position where they have chosen not to have WLS for themselves. So you choosing to have it can be seen by them as some sort of negative reflection on their own choices.

[learned2bskinny 81]

I have told absolutely no one, except my son who is going to take me to the hospital and pick me up. I told my boss I need time off for some "minor" surgery. She asked no questions. When I get home from Mexico, and all is well, perhaps I will tell my family. I just don't want to deal with the aggravation I KNOW I will get from them until it's a done deal.

[Eyfura 3]

You know, I told my immediate family and made it well known I wanted no one else to know. The funny thing was ther person who I thought would be most against it, my thin sister in law, was the one who supported me the most, she was really happy for me. My mother, who is big, and has many health issues, was the one that had the hardest time, mainly I think because she is scared. I plan to tell people later, once my weight loss is no such an issue and I won't have people watching me constantly because of the surgery. As for what I plan to tell people that know I had surgery, I plan to tell them I had a hernia that needed to be fixed, and leave it at that.

[Carmella 0]

She may not be able to related but she may be excited for you that you are doing something for your health. I know that's been the general reaction among my fit friends. The thing is, while you'd expect the overweight to understand -- and some of them do -- many of them are in the position where they have chosen not to have WLS for themselves. So you choosing to have it can be seen by them as some sort of negative reflection on their own choices.

That's a really interesting point. I never thought about it that way, but it makes a lot of sense. The overweight women I've told almost seem like they're a little bit threatened by it. Which is understandable. My sister recently lost a lot of weight, and though I'm very happy for her, it makes me feel a little bit worse about myself somehow. So anyway, you've given me hope that I might get a better reaction from my boss.

[Malaika 50]

That's a really interesting point. I never thought about it that way, but it makes a lot of sense. The overweight women I've told almost seem like they're a little bit threatened by it. Which is understandable. My sister recently lost a lot of weight, and though I'm very happy for her, it makes me feel a little bit worse about myself somehow. So anyway, you've given me hope that I might get a better reaction from my boss.

Legally, I don't believe they have the right to ask you why you need the time off if you have PTO time available. That is why it is PTO - PERSONAL TIME OFF ... if you have it available, then all you have to do is request it. No one has the right to question WHY you need the time off. Management has the right to deny the time off for various reasons -- too many people off at the same time, for example. However, if you don't want to tell your boss the reason for the request for time off, you don't have to.

[learned2bskinny 81]

What a great idea! That would explain the surgery, the clear liquid diet, and the slow progression to a "regular" diet. That's what I am going to say should I be pushed for a reason. Thanks!:wink0:

[Eyfura 3]

What a great idea! That would explain the surgery, the clear liquid diet, and the slow progression to a "regular" diet. That's what I am going to say should I be pushed for a reason. Thanks!:thumbup:

LOL...No problem, I figure the odds are good that I may have one, so that's where I got the idea. :wink0:

[Carmella 0]

Legally, I don't believe they have the right to ask you why you need the time off if you have PTO time available. That is why it is PTO - PERSONAL TIME OFF ... if you have it available, then all you have to do is request it. No one has the right to question WHY you need the time off. Management has the right to deny the time off for various reasons -- too many people off at the same time, for example. However, if you don't want to tell your boss the reason for the request for time off, you don't have to.

I'm sure you're right. I'm just afraid she'll ask me questions (for instance, she always asks if I'm going somewhere when I request vacation time) and I'm not very good at telling people it's none of their business. Even though in this case it really isn't. I'll try it and see how it goes though. Thanks!

[Malaika 50]

I'm sure you're right. I'm just afraid she'll ask me questions (for instance, she always asks if I'm going somewhere when I request vacation time) and I'm not very good at telling people it's none of their business. Even though in this case it really isn't. I'll try it and see how it goes though. Thanks!

I know what you mean - everyone at work always asks where someone is going when they take time off ... I just told them we were headed to So. Cal to spend some time at the beach and relax ... it's not totally a lie. The only thing I told my boss was that I was having some "minor health issues" and he said he hoped everything turned out okay. So if push comes to shove, and people notice what I am eating, then I'll go with the hiatal hernia response and if they asked why I didn't say anything, I'll just respond it was a private matter. Good luck on whatever course you choose.

[dange25 57]

Hey everyoneeeee. I have just made the switch from LBT to here. happy happyyyyyy. It's really nice to be able to find out more first hand experience from ppl with this sleeve. I have spent a great many hours on the next trolling for info and was *thinking* that sleeve was going to be a better option, but still needed the back up info to support this idea. I was getting a bit scared about the band but was almost ready to commit to it before i found out how wonderful this sleeve is ment to be.

I have my appointment on the 19th of this month and have started the request for super release. I'm gonna get the sleeve if my doc gives it the ok. Really can't wait!

ITS TIME

Thank you all for giving info and feedback freely. It makes me feel more confident about the choice i have made for myself. :wink0:

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Hey everyoneeeee. I have just made the switch from LBT to here. happy happyyyyyy. It's really nice to be able to find out more first hand experience from ppl with this sleeve. I have spent a great many hours on the next trolling for info and was *thinking* that sleeve was going to be a better option, but still needed the back up info to support this idea. I was getting a bit scared about the band but was almost ready to commit to it before i found out how wonderful this sleeve is ment to be.

I have my appointment on the 19th of this month and have started the request for super release. I'm gonna get the sleeve if my doc gives it the ok. Really can't wait!

ITS TIME

Thank you all for giving info and feedback freely. It makes me feel more confident about the choice i have made for myself. :thumbup:

Welcome to the forum!

Sleeves are great, much MUCH easier than banding. Banding is a great way to lose half your excess weight short term.

Good for you for researching all your options!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I suggest that anyone you eat around frequently knows about your surgery if you are comfortable telling them. It's even harder to hide than eating with a band, if your band was not making you puke. I was able to hide my band surgery pretty easily, because I was only having band problems right before my sleeve surgery.

My brother is so into himself that he didn't notice that I only ate a few bites every time we went out to dinner this past few days.

I have so many to go cartons in the fridge that I have no more room to put anymore

Luckily, my daughter knows all about my surgery. We went out to dinner tonight, and there was no way I was going to order a meal when I knew I could only eat 5 bites tops.