What Do You Say To Coworkers About Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

[redmtn 0]

Finally am going to get my revision which I am really excited about but not quite sure what to say at work. I feel so shameful, I know I shouldn't, but do I tell the truth or make up something?? It will be over 2 week Christmas break but I will be gone a few days before and then more?

I think it might have something to do with how I failed to lose weight with the band......so what if this also fails or something happens.

Thanks!

[cindyslosingit 10]

Do your co-workers know about your previous WLS? If so you can explain to them that the Lap band surgery was not for everyone and due to complications (whether you had any or not) you are having to revise to a different type of surgery. Or you could just not say anything unless you have a very close friend you feel you want to share it with. I personally am not working so didn't have to face this issue. But I also fealt it was no ones business that I had surgery and I choose to tell only people I want to tell and when I want to tell them.

And if you feel shameful about it you could always wait until after you come back from having it done and when people start noticing the weight coming off of you and start making comments you can tell them how wonderful you feel and it's all because of this wonderful tool that you have to help you lose weight.

[HunnyBunny 5]

yeah you know i have had a similar situation i would just say that you got it fixed. unless your ok with telling them the truth. but other then that people asked why i was having surgery againand i would just say to fix it. thats about it.

[Becca 108]

The truth is that no one but WLS people understand what you are going through. I did tell a few of my close coworkers about my revision. Some were supportive and others were very judgemental before surgery. I did feel shameful too, especially since I had a failed lapband. Now that I have lost so much weight, everyone is supportive and I constantly get questions or positive comments about my weight loss. I am pretty open about having surgery because I would feel bad telling people I just did it with diet alone. Many are curious about how I deal with not eating so much and if I miss food. I just have to explain to them that I can eat what I want for the most part, just in very small amounts. You have to do what is best for you. Just know that people WILL notice your weight loss. They will ask you what you are doing to lose the weight. Just be prepared with what you will say when that time comes. I am happy with my decision to be open about my WLS. I hope that it will help others get help that they need with obesity. Good luck with your revision. You are going to LOVE the sleeve! It is so completely different from the band. Look at all the success on this forum. You will do great, so don't stress too much!

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

Don't feel shameful... I bet MOST people will admire you for keeping on trying. I believe that society is really starting to understand just how difficult obesity is to cure. There may be a few naysayers, which is fine, but don't ever let anyone make you feel ashamed for being overweight, for having not had success with the band or for doing this surgery.

I always think of Oprah - that woman can do about anything she sets her mind to, right... well, except keep weight off. We are in good company, trying to go from obese to trim is such a difficult journey and the science is really now starting to understand why. No shame, be proud of yourself for keeping up the fight of this battle.