Why hide it?

[mz.newlife54 103]

Good idea. Just not my way. I don't need the negativity right now. I'll tell tge world after im done.

[Jersrose43 837]

I honestly did not go into the surgery planning to tell the world.

Maybe it was the dilauded?? Who knows.

I wrote that post at 1am on night of surgery after my third or so walk across to the nurses station.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I honestly did not go into the surgery planning to tell the world.

Maybe it was the dilauded?? Who knows.

I wrote that post at 1am on night of surgery after my third or so walk across to the nurses station.

LOL! Even though I'm natively "the other way," I sure can relate to that.

Edited July 21, 2014 by VSGAnn2014

[bigloser2014 144]

This was the hardest decision of my life. I had many doubts and still have some everyday. And that is after all the research and support from wonderful resources like this website. Why combine that with the doubts of other people, especially the ones that are ignorant and do not know their facts? And I wanted to concentrate on my health and wellbeing and not on educating anyone who may never understand! Those were my reasons!

Edited July 21, 2014 by bigloser2014

[Forsythia 882]

I have been seeing many threads on here about people keeping their surgery a secret and it really puzzles me. I understand its a personal choice but whenever someone makes a post about it they never really give the reasoning behind it.

I personally do not hide it. If anyone is curious I gladly tell them and when the questions pop up I am pretty well versed as to the facts behind the surgery so I educate them. The way I look at it is if it wasnt for people being open about it I would have never looked into making one of the best decision I have ever made. To me, it seems that keeping that secret would be more harmful mentally than whatever benefit keeping it a secret would do.

So what are the reasons? Is it being embarrassed that you had to have the surgery to lose weight? Do you want people to think you did it on your own? Is it being afraid of "What if it doesnt work"? Or is it "I just like keeping secrets"

I am not judging anyone, I am just curious.

I'm not "hiding" anything.

No, I'm not embarrassed.

No, it's not a "secret".

I *DID* do this on my own. Yes, I had surgery, but no one weighed and measured my food, tracked my intake, ran my miles, danced my Zumba, lifted my weights, swam my miles, or did any of the other work I had to do to lose 110+ pounds last year. My surgery was a tool, a really super awesome tool that I will be forever grateful for, but I lost the weight, no one did it for me.

Why have I not made my surgery public knowledge? Because it's none of anyone's business. I have so many more things about me that are *MUCH* more interesting than my surgery. I am a successful business owner with 300+ women on my team, I am a mom of two gifted teens who I am very proud of, I am a volunteer for a women's shelter, I am a martial arts training instructor, I have a pet hedgehog who is as cranky as they come, I can move both of my eyes independently of the other, I can sing songs in sign language, I hate getting dirty but I have a new love for doing mud runs, I am white Water certified in kayaking, I can do the splits in all three directions, I've been married to the same man for 20 years and haven't attempted murder yet, I have a wicked sense of humor and can insult you five ways to Sunday and you'll thank me for it without even realizing it.

I have no desire to explain (to people who really aren't truly interested) what a sleeve is, how it works, why they really don't know someone whose mother's best friend's cousin's neighbor's brother's wife's dentist died from this surgery/gained back all their weight/was malnourished/has seizures/never lost a pound/etc, nor do I care to explain my portion size, justify why I eat what I eat, answer the question "are you allowed to eat that" every time I put something in my mouth...

I don't talk about my pooping habits with the general public or my menstrual cycle, my gall bladder attack, why I used to pee when I sneezed, my IUD, my sore boobs during PMS, etc. I don't talk about the size of my hubby's package, how often we do the do, where we conceived our children, what we fight about when we fight, how much money I make, how much money he makes, my IQ, what brand of handbag I carry most often, or how much I spend on shoes annually, either.

Any other questions?

I need photographic proof of the adorable crankiness of this hedgehog.

HEDGEHOG! HEDGEHOG! HEDGEHOG!

[Jersrose43 837]

I don't talk about the size of my hubby's package, how often we do the do..... how much money he makes D

But you know if you want to share this information no matter which is larger/smaller/quantity you can. We will all support you and not provide comparisons.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

The hog.

   


The package.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Where in HELL do you find a pet hedgehog?

And what kind of relationship can you have with one?!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

A breeder and a very prickly one.

Research African pygmy hedgehog. They aren't for kids, believe me.

[DaronB 103]

I'm not telling very many people while I'm still pre-op because I don't want to have to deal with the naysayers. When it's appropriate for people to know, I'll share it with them. Not going to forever keep it secret, but in the last few weeks headed toward surgery, I'm not telling anyone.

[Jersrose43 837]

Love the package!

[kitten22996 36]

At first I didn't want to tell people specifically at work because I didn't want them to react negatively for me taking off the time away from work for what they would see as "elective" or "cosmetic" even. Since then, I have not told a lot of people about my surgery, but others I have. It is kind of a case-by-case basis. I have told the majority of my close friends and family, but not my co-workers and acquaintances. I view it as any other medical procedure, because it is just that, a medical procedure. I don't feel the need to make a blanket announcement about it. I just kind of view it as personal....if I choose to share it then, fine.

But in reality, while the surgery is an amazing tool, it is not what makes me choose the right kinds of food to put in my mouth, and it does not make me get out of bed every morning to run at 5:30, or it doesn't make me go to cross training while my family is still in bed sleeping on a weekend. When people want to know how I've lost weight, yes, surgery is a huge part of it, but in reality, it's so much more than that. So I can answer them honestly without disclosing my medical history should I choose to take that approach by telling them that I am eating a high Protein low carb diet, completely changed my lifestyle, and started regularly exercising.

I couldn't have said it any better!!

[JeanZ_RN 378]

@@Bob2013, thank you for asking the question. The answers are very interesting!

I'm one of those "open book" people, but I certainly respect the right of each person to tell as much or as little as he/she wishes.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

@@Bob2013, thank you for asking the question. The answers are very interesting!

I'm one of those "open book" people, but I certainly respect the right of each person to tell as much or as little as he/she wishes.

And that's what we all need to be. We (and I hate the all inclusive we) are all in this together.

[finediva 979]

I chose not to live my live out loud. I don't discuss my finances, and I don't ask people about theirs. I don't discuss how much my house or car cost and I would never ask another person the same. My mother told me if some one was ill, when they return to work never ask what was the illness. Just say I'm glad you're feeling better. On my job I'm amazed on a daily basis at some of the personal discussions I hear.

As for me...it's not a secret, it simply no one's business. Really, why does it have to be announced?