Afraid to tell people I've been sleeved

[LouiseC 1,031]

It doesn't really matter if you tell or not' date=' if you go from 250-300 lbs to 150 lbs in 6- 12 months people will know! I live in a horrible gossip village small town so I know I will eventually have to tell bc I don't want to lie about it... There are several people in this town that have had the band and RNY and they actually lie about it, it's their thing I know but when the lady that teaches Sunday school class that has lost over 200+ lbs in just a little over a year stands there and tells you oh I've just worked so hard at this diet and get lots of exercise.. I don't agree with that!!! Don't lie... If you don't want to tell that's one thing but if someone asks you, did you have surgery then please don't lie about it![/quote']

Exactly. People always know. I would rather be known as the chick who had the weight loss surgery than the chick who lied about having weight loss surgery!

Mostly though, who cares about what others think? What a waste of perfectly good energy. I know people probably talked about me behind my back. Initially I was concerned what some of my staff would think. But over time I realised 99% of people backed me, supported me, and were really excited for my journey. Any anxiety I may have had turned out to be all in my head. Mostly, people are good.

[kiwi17 54]

I haven't kept it a secret at all, but I'm constantly asked how much weight I've lost by several people and it gets kind of old (especially if I'm on a stall). Sometimes I wonder if I should have kept it secret.

[LDallas 108]

I told hubby, brother and two friends. I didnt want to explain it all, my history, struggles..didnt want people analyzing me or my meals, etc.. So now closing in on 8 mos mark, i'm down abt 75 lbs have no regrets. People started noticing at 45lb mark, and now those that haven't seen me cant believe the change. Of course they ask How? My reply is, i eat really small amts every two hours. Kind of a a half truth, because no way i could do it w/o the food Police living in my tiny tummy. Its a personal decision to tell or not. I chose not. Good luck.

[SlimDreams 175]

I have told everyone. Have lost one friend because of it' date=' and had a somewhat rude comment from one other person. Out of hundreds. Such is life.

These days, I'm telling people that I lost the weight from "diet, exercise and surgery." It's true...wasn't my surgeon busting his ass on the elliptical last night.[/quote']

Lmao...too funny

[sandyeggo 4]

People are drawn to gossip and secrets. They flee from medical jargon and too much information. If you act like you've got something to hide there will be whispers and questions. If you're upfront with no shame people really won't pay that much attention. Think about it..when you're at work (or wherever) and someone has a new cast, everyone else is wondering what happened? how did you break it? what were you doing? did you need surgery? when do you get your cast off? it's impossible to keep private. Guess what --- losing 100 lbs or so is like a hot pink cast. It's noticable. So when you start sipping on broth in front of people you know and you get sideways glances, you might as well just come out with it. You have nothing to be ashamed about. You had a sleeve gastrectomy. A large portion of you stomach was removed. THE END. If they want to know more tell them to look it up on webmd. But, you might be surprised as I have been. People are usually curious because they are supportive, not judgemental. Most likely they have an overweight spouse or parent or child so obesity is not something that is as shameful as you might be feeling.

Bottom line, it is your choice. But, I think you will feel empowered if you are honest with yourself and others about the couragous decision you made to transform yourself.

[dustin551 84]

I'm new to the forum and I'm a couple of weeks preop, but this topic caught my eye. I hadn't really thought about this before. I just instinctively told my friends and family that I was having the surgery, but this made me think about how this surgery could be perceived by some.

To sum it up for me, I, like many others, see obesity as a disease that requires surgery for some people. Just like any other disease. What thin people, or even those that are mildly overweight don't always understand is that your hormones change once you get to a certain size, and you simply become a fat accumulating machine. It isn't the lazy way out. For many, it is the only way out. I'd rather tell someone how I lost the weight with the help of surgery and possibly help someone else than to let them believe I have more willpower than they might have.

Dustin

[Jhconnection 36]

[chris54 106]

Again everyone is entitled to their opinion and for me I personally do not feel I hve to tell my medical procedures to anyone. To hve the courage to go through wls is a miracle' date=' to make better food choices and exercise is a miracle from God. My opinion or yours is not up for debate or further discussion I say to everyone who takes this journey b fearless in your commitment to yourself tell who u feel needs to know, those that don't won't know. But have peace with your choices and never give up or let others opinion sway any decisions u make for your life. Good luck and enjoy the ride I am[/quote']

[melissapaige84 38]

I've told people slowly. I told my family, good friends, and Sunday school class beforehand. I keep a public blog about my progress but I haven't advertised it on Facebook or anything. I think I'm secretly waiting until I've almost reached my goal weight lol It's partly out of embarrassment that I let myself get to where I did and partly because I don't like to be judged. I haven't had anyone react negatively so far though. I've lost 67lbs so far and am much healthier for it. So I'm sure I will probably share soon. You do what you feel is best. At 6 days out, you're not going to feel like yourself anyway. Wait it out if you need to and then you'll realize that you made one of the best decisions of your life and you'll want to tell other people in case it's something that may help them or someone they know. Good luck!

[bruised but not broken 12]

ok, let me try to understand this,,,,,,You mean to tell me that there are people who think that I should not have this surgery and continue to:

gain weight, break chairs, pay double airfare, have sleep apena, high bp, early death, low self-esteem, be stared at by little kids, shop in big and tall only section, aching knee, bad back, short of breath, chest pain, not fit on amusement park rides,

not fit in diner booth, not play with my kids, have my kids defend me from other kids,

leave my wife and kids without a father and husband...............and continue to try to do something that i could not do for the past 25 years, thats lose this weight.

I finally found a blessing from god with this surgery,, and there is someone out there that has a problem with it....

THEY CAN KISS MY RATS ASS!!

(sorry bout the french)

[buplee 556]

ok' date=' let me try to understand this,,,,,,You mean to tell me that there are people who think that I should not have this surgery and continue to:

gain weight, break chairs, pay double airfare, have sleep apena, high bp, early death, low self-esteem, be stared at by little kids, shop in big and tall only section, aching knee, bad back, short of breath, chest pain, not fit on amusement park rides,

not fit in diner booth, not play with my kids, have my kids defend me from other kids,

leave my wife and kids without a father and husband...............and continue to try to do something that i could not do for the past 25 years, thats lose this weight.

I finally found a blessing from god with this surgery,, and there is someone out there that has a problem with it....

THEY CAN KISS MY RATS ASS!!

(sorry bout the french) [/quote']

Well said and I understand your sentiment. Good luck to you.

[peachie86 63]

A few of my family members know of me opting to have WLS. Many of my colleagues at work know because I finally finished the Kaiser options classes and I was very excited. Actually, I am very comfortable with telling those at work. I can name at least 6 people at work that have had WLS of some kind. I actually run into one colleague making up one of her classes in my class, however she has not had surgery and I have never approached her my decision.