How open were you about getting sleeved?

[Lissa 2,631]

I tell everyone, and did before surgery too. I've had ONE negative comment and that was on a non-WLS message board. Since I know that poster is obese herself, I let it roll off my back as jealousy on her part.

I just posted pics of myself to that board (and here) to let people see the results I'm getting. I'm totally thrilled so far and very happy with my sleeve. I haven't had any negative comments to my face. If someone is talking about me behind my back, I don't care. At least they are leaving someone else alone.

[CeeCeeFree 2]

I tol my sister and she pretty much cut off all contact with me. She definitely has a lot of her own issues to deal with, is morbidly obese and will find every excuse not to do anything about it, yet constantly and incessantly complains about her health. I hope this hasn't been an irreparable rift between us, but i refuse to live the rest of my life carrying this much weight.

I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks. I have told my fiancé and my kids. They are very

supportive, except my 14 year old som is very worried for me. We do a lot of talking through

feelings these days!

I am telling my boss and a supervisor that I am having surgery but not what it's for. I've had kidney stones in the past and I know they will assume it has something to do with that. I'm just not going to spend much time correcting their notions.

[Amanda131 214]

I think you decision to keep it on the DL until you better know how you feel is wise. I did not tell many people prior to surgery- only hubs, parents and a few very close friends. I didn't tell pre-surgery because I was a little ashamed and a little afraid I would back out (I had backed out of bypass before).

After surgery, any shame I felt about needing an intervention was overcome by my concern that obese people would see me losing all this weight not knowing I had surgery and the would feel worse about themselves. I felt like that would be doing a huge disservice to others in my previous position. I also had a co-worker who was sleeved and her openess really helped me in my journey.

Therefore, I shared that I had surgery anytime someone commented about my weightloss. Be aware though, as someone mentioned earlier, once you tell someone outside your tight inner circle everyone will know within a very short time. I've had no negative experiences with telling anyone and while I hope they aren't talking negatively about me when I am not around I realize I can't control that.

Best of luck to you in whatever approach you choose!

Amanda

[longer-life 139]

I asked a friend how she lost the weight and thank goodness she told me she had VSG. I had never heard of this option before. Thanks to her I will have surgery on the 16th. Needless to say, I will tell everyone that asks.

[christin 54]

I was not planning on telling anyone, but recently told 2 close friends. They were very supportive of me and it was a very pleasant surprise! I won't tell anyone else until afterward. I am not ashamed of the procedure, but I don't want to feel like people are watching me afterward. I don't want the added pressure.

[Beth323 13]

I have told alot of people. I have only told the people that I thought would be supportive to me. I am sure the less supportive know thru the people that I have told. I am surprised at the positive support I have recieved by so many people. CoWorkers who I have not personally told and have heard have stopped by my office door and ask how I am ( I returned to work 1 week post op). I looked into the sleeve because a friend had done it. I now have a co worker that is starting the process, and another looking into it. For the last two reasons I am glad I did not keep it a secret.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I told family, husband, co workers and friends. Then after, I told anyone who asked how I was losing weight. I try to include eating less and exercise as part of the reason, and not treat the Sleeve like it does all the work by itself. I have had no negative responses and one person is in the process of getting WLS now... two others look like they might do it in the future too.

[tjharmon 11]

I didn't tell anyone before surgery except hubby and kids--but after I had lost about 40 pounds in the first two weeks--I started telling people. Now I even post about it on Facebook. Several people have called and asked for more information on the surgery since I have had such good results. I just walk away from negative comments and think to myself that " I will show them"