male only To tell or not to tell...

[Koofka 59]

Had the exact same idea as far as calling it abdominal surgery and no one else's concern - but turns out people tend to pry and you are pretty much left with the choice to either spin a web of bs or just fess up.

I chose the later route as it was just way too much trouble to worry about keeping the lies straight (you have a bunch of stuff to pay attention to post op, so why add to the mix). Since then haven't particularly felt judged. Afterall, most of us are going through WLS not only to lose weight, but to alleviate a number of existing or potential health issues that are weight related. Explaining WLS to most people that way seems to be pretty easy for them to understand.

[bigyanks83 1]

i told my immediate family, close friends and the people at my job. i work in a small office and i am related to the office manager so it was bound to be known anyway. i felt like the more people i told i was lifting a weight off my shoulder.

[JW3 5]

Initially (prioir to the surgery) I told only my boss and the few people I knew that had Biatric surgery. I am three months post op and I still only tell people I am comfortable with. I am pretty private about everything so this normal for me. I'd say do what is comfortable for you, you don't have to say s*%t if you don't want to.

[vsgAZ04 5]

Once my surgery was scheduled, I kept it to immediate family, close friends, and those at work who needed to know. Your surgery is your decision, just like its your decision on who to tell and who "thinks" they need to know. Like others have said, I kept mine on the down low until after I was recovered and healthy. There are ways to sneak around the response of "i had WLS"...but at a certain point I felt it was too much work. I wasn't ashamed of having surgery. I look at it in a positive manner. It is a life long tool for me to use to stay healthy. Plus, people will speculate anyway if you tell them you've lost 70lbs in 10 weeks like I have lol.

So in short, it's your choice. Just like any other surgery, illness, etc. Don't feel obligated to tell anyone that you don't want to.

Good luck with your surgery and I wish you the best of health and recovery!

[Two.Penguins 37]

Once I got the approval. ... Everyone knew!!

[judgment0101 2]

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Edited May 5, 2014 by Krewtons

[inittothinit 145]

Really? Cancer? What a dou**che. Have you ever known or seen someone die from stomach cancer? So you'll commit to some bulls&@t lie and even covet people's sympathy because you want to avoid explaining yourself? what a tool! You'd rather get pity than scorn? a***hole!!

I chose not to tell anyone and just say "diet and excercise" and if it ever really got pushed to someone prodding for answers, I'd tell them to mind their own business. But you are a scum**ag to even think to use something as horrible as cancer as a " little white lie" to explain away WLS.

Seriously douchey!!!!

Edited May 5, 2014 by inittothinit

[judgment0101 2]

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Edited May 5, 2014 by Krewtons

[Bob2013 326]

I dont hide it from anyone. If the subject of my dramatic weight loss comes up I spill the Beans and educate anyone that will listen. So many people come to the conclusion that it cannot be safe, healthy, good for you to have this kind of surgery and I fill them in on the pros and cons. Luckily with me its all pros as I have not had any negative experiences.

Its really hard to talk smack about it when you have the facts.

[Not as big daddy 0]

I understand the need to be private and I am usually a private person. With this decision at first I kept it quiet until the ball was firmly rolling. Now I tell everyone. I tell them why I'm doing it. They usually come back with what I won't be able to eat and my common response is "where has that gotten me? Here." Yes I'll be able to eat again. They're going to notice. Why lie to them and yourself? Just my .02.

[VPenn 21]

Initially I told my boss and a couple of close work friends that I was having weight loss surgery, but nothing more specific. I found that her secretary has a big, big mouth so in order to rein in the rumor train. Since then I have found it easy to discuss with people and actually have had 5-6 ask for my doctor's name so they can make appointments.

I've found that being open and honest with those around me, or those that ask, is easier than trying to play it off with "oh, I started watching what I eat" or "I'm working out more". I look at it as there are lots of folks in the same boat as me and if my honesty gives one of them the confidence to make a life altering decision then God is using me in the right way and I'm happy to oblige.

[Bigboy76 102]

I am having surgery on sept 16. My wife will sleeve later this year, so obviously she knows. Just told my oldest daughter today. Definitely NOT telling youngest two kids.

I have told two good buddies that are like my brothers, and both were very supportive. They are with me too much, so they would have figured it out anyway. I plan to tell both sets of Parents at Labor Day..and won't be talking to anyone else until after surgery. I prefer to keep it low key mainly so that I myself can wrap my head around everything that's about to happen without hearing a wide array of judgements and opinions. My decision. My life. And this is one decision I am confident in!