What surgery can i tell people i've had instead of telling them about the sleeve?

[jemmacahill 0]

Hi all,

Fist of all congrats to all post ops and best of luck to all pre ops waiting for their opp dates. I'm new to this and i'm due to have my sleeve next week. I'm both nervous and excited about the whole thing but one thing that's really taking over my mind at the moment is what to tell people. I've told the people close to me that i'm having this opperation but i dont want to tell certain family members and friends that i'm having a VS op. Can anyone tell me what they told friends/family/co workers what op they've had?

Thanks so much and good health to you all..

Jemma :thumbup:

[mommaof4yoopers 3]

I was lucky enough to have my Gall Bladder out at the same time so I just left the VSG part out of it until I was ready. Once a good bit of people were catching on that I was losing weight, I was less intimidated by saying what was done to my innards. Good luck!

[JillianMarie 0]

I had a badly ulcerated stomach lining from the inside of my stomach being so damaged, it was ready to rupture. I've told people that i had very damaged stomach lining removed, which is true.

If people ask about you losing weight, you can always tell them that after your surgery you needed to be on a liquid diet (true again) and that you started eating in much smaller portions (also a fact). You don't have to lie, just don't state the entire story.

I told one of my Doctors that i had the sleeve and he said "you mean Gastric Bypass?" I laughed and tried to explain what the sleeve is. Doctors seem to be clueless about the sleeve right now because it's still considered somewhat experimental in the US. So coming home to the US and telling my Drs has been very tough, especially since few of them even know what the surgery is. If you tell them you had a gastrectomy, for any reason, they will understand that or at least know what it is!!

Good luck on your surgery!!

[chellebelle0880 0]

i have foot problems, so I told them i was having foot surgery.... the plantar facitis cut. my workplace sucked it up, and then i will talk about how much i can exercise now that my feet are fixed and weightloss will be a 'natural' side effect!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I told people that I had my gall bladder out.

Everyone knows I do a lot of exercising and that I have been trying to lose weight. The only people who are surprised at how much weight I've lost are the ones who haven't seen me in a really long time.

[SParkle 4]

I was toying with either gall bladder removal (which for me it wasn't) or having my tubes tied.... which can also be done with the chop sticks (as hubby calls it). As he has had the snip theres no way we can have kids anyway....so still trying to decide at the moment.....although I like the ulcerated stomach one.....I might have to borrow that one.....which would explain the smaller stomach.....less appetite......

Good thread!

Kathy

[Grateful Heart 7]

I am reminded every day about why I decided before my surgery to "tell the truth". By now I'm sure I would be worn out with all the lies! Lying is something I'm not very good at and it is very stressful. Someone stops me every day and asked me how I'm losing all this weight - someone at church, at work (I work in a 16 story building, so I see a lot of people every day). So I tell them!

I am very proud of my decision to finally do something about by weight. If other people have a problem with that, it's their problem not mine. I finally feel good when I wake up each morning knowing that I don't have to start another kind of diet every day.

Of all the people I've told, not one person has said anything to me that was insulting or negative. Most of the time they want to know more because either they need to do something themselves or they have a friend that needs to do something. I had the thought at the beginning that I hope by telling anyone that asks, maybe I can inspire someone to help themselves.

[JudyM 2]

I suppose everyone handles it in their own way.. I have told some people, but some (including my Mum) I haven't said anything to, yet. I will probably tell people eventually, so I'm trying to avoid saying anything too specific... I did think about saying gall bladder too, but then thought - what if I do have to have a gall bladder removed later? What would I say to those who thought I'd already had it removed?? :001_smile:

[BeenThereWasThat 2]

Judy I was going to use the gall bladder excuse too but I am afraid I will have to have it taken out later.

My biggest challenge is work right now.... We are having a 2nd quarter contest that includes a lunch out and half a day off. My boss knows I am having surgery but not what kind and the lunch out would be during my pre-op liquid diet....

I have no problem telling people after surgery but I just feel weird before. I just don't want to deal with all the judgement and opinions ( I get enough of that now).

I just can't get my mom to stop telling people!

[JudyM 2]

Can you not say that you have been up all night with a tummy bug? Or perhaps that you are going out for a big meal with the family in the evening, so want to keep yourself free for that?

Bless your mom! That is exactly why I haven't told mine! I live in France, so she just thinks I'm working away for a week and won't be able to get to the phone!

[texaschick 0]

It is time we sleevers came out of the closet. A lot of people think this is the "easy" way out; let them think that. This is merely a tool, as are exercise equipment, Weight Watchers, etc. We have to make a concious decision every day to "use" our tool to the fullest. Those that know you will know if your weight has been a struggle for you, and don't worry about the rest of them. I am very up front about it with people. I tell them what I am doing and why (family history of obesity, heart disease, joint issues.....) and that I am trying to use everything in my power to overcome this.

[SParkle 4]

I suppose everyone handles it in their own way.. I have told some people, but some (including my Mum) I haven't said anything to, yet. I will probably tell people eventually, so I'm trying to avoid saying anything too specific... I did think about saying gall bladder too, but then thought - what if I do have to have a gall bladder removed later? What would I say to those who thought I'd already had it removed?? :biggrin0:

Good point, its not like I want to lie, but I don't want everyone to know.

[kalex21211 0]

I am reminded every day about why I decided before my surgery to "tell the truth". By now I'm sure I would be worn out with all the lies! Lying is something I'm not very good at and it is very stressful. Someone stops me every day and asked me how I'm losing all this weight - someone at church, at work (I work in a 16 story building, so I see a lot of people every day). So I tell them!

I am very proud of my decision to finally do something about by weight. If other people have a problem with that, it's their problem not mine. I finally feel good when I wake up each morning knowing that I don't have to start another kind of diet every day.

Of all the people I've told, not one person has said anything to me that was insulting or negative. Most of the time they want to know more because either they need to do something themselves or they have a friend that needs to do something. I had the thought at the beginning that I hope by telling anyone that asks, maybe I can inspire someone to help themselves.

I completely agree with this! I started out only telling a few people, and then now that I am just days away, everybody knows....lol I usually just feel people out. If they seem like they are gonna be one of those people that says something negative, then I just tell them that I prayed about it for some time, and I asked for peace if I was doing the right thing. And that is exactly what I feel! Who can argue with that?? lol

Good luck with your decision. You have to do what works for you.

[tbarnes18 1]

I had to leave work to do a few pre-op tests, i.e., x-ray, blood work, etc., so I just told them that I was have stomach surgery, and left it at that. I've found that if I don't mention the type of surgery, they aren't rude enough to ask. Fortunately, I work at a school and have the summer off, so I scheduled the surgery to coincide with my summer vacation. The only person that knows the reason for my surgery is my hubby. My son is 16 and I told him that I was having surgery (about 3 weeks before the surgery) and he didn't ask for details. He just knows that he is 'on-call' when I need something. He was sweet enough to drive me to the store yesterday to buy a different Protein and milk.

My biggest regret is that I haven't told my dearest friend in the whole world (that is 5'7", gorgeous, very fit size 4, with 2 PhDs, but I'm not jealous). She would be understanding and has helped my family through all of our medical situations (one of the PhDs is as a Veternarian) and she would be knowledgable about the terminology, etc., but I didn't want to burden her. I want to surprise her after I am successful. She has gone through every diet in the world with me (not herself, but hearing me talk about how great it is, how great I'm doing) but I've never gone back and said how much I'd be gaining back... (she live in another state from me).

I vote for stomach surgery, not serious, with X amount of recovery time. Other people don't need to know my life's story.

Terrie

[jemmacahill 0]

Thank you all for your replies.... I think i 'm going to just say stomach surgery and leave it at that. I've told a few people close to me but i just dont want to tell other people what surgery it is i'm having. I've enough to deal with at the moment with out their snide remarks/comments. Hopefully this day next week i'l be sleeved... Due to have surgery Monday. Best of luck to you all.