To Tell Or Not To Tell?

[Boobear7 7]

When did everyone tell there friends and family about there decision to have WLS. What type of reactions did everyone get.

[catfish87 3,471]

I did choose to tell my close friends and family about a week preop. My reactions were all positive.

I haven't regretted it, but hear often on here that some people do have regrets..... mother-n-law, sister-n-law, co-worker, etc that is always looking over their shoulder to see how they are progressing.

Just remember, you can't UN-ring a bell......

[bbbanded 70]

My mom obviously knew, my siblings found out when I came home. I sent a picture to my then boyfriend, and my two best friends found out when I couldn't stop holding my stomach while laughing. And that's all that needed to know. Because of the reactions I get at work from people having seen my weight loss progress I wouldn't dare tell anyone there. The amount of watching my intake would increase even more

I told my roommate because she'd likely wonder why my eating habits are so weird. I haven't told my now boyfriend, with ms I think I've dumped enough on him for a few months time, and extended family knows. I'm not the proudest that I had to end up having the procedure, I guess, so it's not something I like to broadcast.

Overall though, I haven't received any negative reactions to my face anyway.

[m1aman 944]

I told my parents because they needed to give me a ride. I told no one else. But my parents told many dozens of people.....

[lanagirl 65]

I have been very selective about who I have told and I'm so glad for that, it's my journey...so I decide to only share with a few... But so true you can't unring a bell. I read of horrible reaction from those people others thought would be supportive. What ever your choice " it's your journey"

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

I told some people that are very close to me. I never told cousins or my husband's sister and her husband because I hate them. Also when people ask how much I lost, I never share that. This site and my husband are the only people that know. Yes, I have a problem with what people would think and say about how fat I still am and how huge I really was. My 2 sons don't know and I am very close to them. Do what you are comfortable with, only.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and holiday season.

[michpell39 399]

At first I didn't tell people except family and then as I started losing weight and people I know that have been struggling with their weight I started to tell I didn't want them to think that I was doing this just all by myself that I had a little help

[SandyM 1,956]

I only told my husband, 2 of my children and my best friends X2. But 6 months out one of the girls I worked with told me she had gastric bypass and by the way, she is doing very well. I casually mentioned that I had lapband. Since then, I have not kept it a secret and I haven't received any negative response. I still don't regret keeping it hush hush for the 1st 3 months due to peoples tendency to judge. Especially if you work with a bunch of women like I do.

[The Icy One 518]

I was planning to kind of keep my surgery on the DL for a bit... I have lovely, well meaning in laws who love to tell horror stories about WLS and I also knew that if they knew, my a*s would be under close scrutiny.

Well, they all know... My husband has a big mouth. :/ Still haven't told anyone on my side. It's easier to keep it quiet from them as there is more geographical distance.

I do not need, "So, how much weight HAVE you lost?" In stereo.

[katiev629 20]

I actually just told them tonight at Thanksgiving. It was time.

[jfc193 718]

My wife and I had surgery on the same day so we never kept our Lapbands a secret.

Told my co workers and now anyone who ask.

Even after 6 years still proud of my decision to have the Lapband.

Why not share!

[Bandista 7,466]

I'm a private person and only wanted a few people to know -- spouse (a blabber mouth so I had to drill him in the need for secrecy), a handful of very close friends. There are a couple I wish I hadn't told. I didn't want to tell my parents as they are elderly and my mother has been obsessed with my weight loss -- she's handed me every diet book on the market for twenty+ years. It turned out I had a hernia repair when band was installed so we ended up telling my parents and others that's what was up, and why, by the way, I have to eat very small meals.

[Boobear7 7]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I have only told my parents and my in laws. My mother in law actually asked me about how the process was going tonight at dinner and I had a chance to talk to her more about it and also asked her to keep this private until I was ready. She completely understood. As I get further into this process I am realizing that there is more to this journey than just weight loss. Again thanks for all of the support.

[MandaMom23 684]

I only told those that are closest to me, my husband, parents, siblings, and my very best friend. I'm a very private person in general, and don't share much about my personal life anyway.

However, I did learn that my kids are hearing everything I say! Last weekend I went shopping with my sister in law, and I decided I would tell her about the band. She was like "yeah, I've known for awhile. Your daughter told me you don't drink soda anymore because you have a band on your stomach now!" OY! haha Now, I can't help but wonder how many other people my daughter shared that with??