Daydra 345 Posted June 9, 2013 I have chosen to tell the people that are close to me, including my work group (who are super supportive people in general, and I work in Public Health, so it was pretty easy). I have a friend who had LapBand about a decade ago, and she only told a very very few people. She chose to explain her weight loss as Portion Control, which most people accepted. She has noticed that some people have treated her differently as she lost weight, and she's glad that she did not tell those people about the surgery, because she believes those are the people that would have reacted negatively toward her. If you feel like you need to explain the surgery itself (and remember, it's really no one's business what your medical treatments and decisions are, so you are under no obligation to explain it to anyone unless you feel comfortable doing so), you could call it a treatment for diabetes, or partial gastrectomies are done in severe cases of ulcers and acid problems if the stomach tissue is damaged. Best of luck! dd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miangr 11 Posted June 9, 2013 Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. It's really helping Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LI Gemini NY 607 Posted June 9, 2013 Thats what my best friend told me. She said just say you're burning more calories than you're eating .Which in fact is not a lie lol Lol I like! Grand idea Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluto 117 Posted June 9, 2013 Most people are easily distracted, I just plan on pointing at something shiny and saying "What's that thing?" 6 jensjoy28, miangr, Satchel and 3 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iniysa 157 Posted June 9, 2013 I told everyone that my doc is putting me on a strict high Protein, low carb, low calorie diet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BKLYNgal87 503 Posted June 9, 2013 I told quite a few people, my direct relatives (mom, dad, brother, fiance), some select friends, and some select colleagues because I knew they would be supportive and knew I would need that support in the coming months. There were people though that I purposely did not tell because I knew they would say insensitive things and not be supportive - my extended relatives. It's mostly actually because they do not like my fiance. He is from a different race and culture and they can't see past that. I fully expected they would say things like "well, when you're skinny you can find someone else to marry". They already make similar comments. As if I am doing this for vain reasons and not to improve my health and quality of life. I'd tell the people you already lean on in your life for support because most likely they will continue to be. The unsupportive ones will also most likely stay that way, you'd just be adding a new dimension to their callousness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miangr 11 Posted June 9, 2013 Most people are easily distracted, I just plan on pointing at something shiny and saying "What's that thing?" LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sprinkles13 24 Posted June 10, 2013 If you tell they will judge and if you keep it to yourself, they will still judge. This is why I decided early on that I would only tell my closest friends and my immediate family only. The ones who love me and support my decision since day one without judgements. My body my business. I'm just say'n Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caaattt 37 Posted June 10, 2013 I made the decision very early that I wasn't going to keep it a secret and have told a lot of people even posted updates on Facebook' date=' but I'm a different type of person. I could really care less what anybody else thinks. However I do understand that some people don't want people knowing there business. If I were to be keeping a secret I would probably explain the surgery as an intestinal problem and the following small eating as result of those issues. I hope this helps a bit or gives you an idea at least good luck on your journey.[/quote'] You made Me feel better ! Everyone says to keep it a secret ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jr-Castillo 18 Posted June 10, 2013 You made Me feel better ! Everyone says to keep it a secret ! I'm glad I could help. With me I just felt I had nothing to be ashamed of no reason to hide. I know I did what I had to for my health. For those that choose to hide that's there decision and I respect that but that wasn't for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Satchel 42 Posted June 11, 2013 I do not regret telling what surgery I had, however, again, I did not tell my colleagues until I returned to work, just saying I was having major surgery, that it was something I had to do for my health. I just felt comfortable doing it that way. I'm sure most people knew, and since my return, I have had three people ask me serious questions about the procedure. So, I hope that my sharing will eventually help them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites