Who Did You Tell?

[azsqwurl 21]

As you embarked on your weight loss journey, did you tell many people? What did you tell coworkers? I'm still undecided on how much I will share with others and curious about what others have done.

[jane13 2,256]

I kept it to just a handful of people at work. now I am getting asked daily what I am doing to lose the weight. I have since Friday of last week told anyone who asked me about my WLS. I have only had 2 tell me horror stories so far about their wives bypass.....

[FocusOnMeNow 599]

I have told my boss, my right hand man (who happens to be a woman), another friend of mine at work (not everybody, just those I talk to everyday). I have also told my entire family and all my friends. We are only as sick as the secrets we keep. I am not saying shout it from the mountaintops or tell every person on the street or every one you work with, but look at this way....if you are really successful they are all going to know anyway. I am who I am and I own it bigtime. I believe in keeping it 100% real with anyone who matters to me.

[skyjones 40]

My husband n God of course lol

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

Told all of my co-workers and a couple friends...have not told any family and won't.

[maggie409 765]

Before surgery, I discussed it with my husband and all of my kids (grown and still at home). I told my close friends (about 7 or 8 people). I told my co-workers. After surgery I went and told my parents and my siblings. I have not announced it publicly on any social media though. I was excited about surgery and my decision to change my life. If anyone asks, I tell them the truth. Everyone in my life has been supportive. I am truly blessed.

[SuzeMuze 338]

I told my boss, a co-worker who had RNY with the same surgeon, my immediate family and a couple of close friends. I got asked all the time "What's your secret?" and I initially felt guilty telling folks that it was diet, exercise and working closely with a doctor & nutritionist. I just didn't want to deal with the stigma of WLS. However, in retrospect, I didn't lie at all. WLS is a tool, not the cure. You can alter your body with surgery, but if you don't commit to the dietary and exercise changes, we've all heard the stories of people who gain the weight right back. No one's asked me outright if I had surgery, and I'm not sure what I would tell them, though a couple of people (well meaning as they might have been) asked me if I was sick because I'd lost so much weight since the last time I saw them! I feel it's our personal business what and who we tell- I'd have no problem at all telling anyone who was interested in the surgery, though. That's a big reason why I had it in the first place- I had a good friend who had it done and was very real with me with her advice and experience. Plus...if telling someone is going to help them get on track to a healthier lifestyle, I'd think I would be doing myself and them a disservice by not disclosing my surgery and how it's done wonders for my health and overall well being.

[Elode 8,093]

I told my friends and family. Now I tell anyone who will listen including my unsuspecting hairdresser, I'm kinda proud

[lapband78 30]

I told my boss because I had to get a sick leave.

My closest friends at work and my siblings and parents.

I don't think I'll tell anyone else, at least not until I've reached my goal.

People ask me what I'm doing and I tell them that I had some stomach problems (I had it for real) and decided to change my eating habits. Chew food well so my stomach could better digest the food and eat smaller portions.

Everyone seems to accept that explanation. I've got a lap band so I was only off from work for 1 week. It old everyone I was going on holiday.

[Djmohr 6,965]

At first when I was going through the 6 month process I told only my husband and my grown children. I was worried that if I shared it with others and did not get approved, I would be really disappointed and feel like a failure.

Once I had surgery and the weight started coming off, I told my closest friends and anyone who asked me how I was losing weight. I was thrilled with my results from the very beginning and I had what I was going to say prepared. I wanted to educate people about obesity and help them understand what hard work this is to have WLS.

I was lucky in that only my obnoxious sister n law irritated me. She really is a drug addict who as a child was overweight but is well below a normal weight now. She has always been jealous of me because of my very strong relationship with her brother and parents. I have been a part of her family for 29 years. Anyway, my getting thin is clearly bothering her and she says the most ridiculous things to me. Her fear is that I might end up thinner than her which honestly could never happen nor do I want it to.

Anyway, everyone I have told is extremely supportive and I really appreciated that. I am glad I shared my story with people. I have not regretted that decision and the truth is I really don't care what other people think. If I can help one obese person by telling my story then it's worth it to me.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I basically told everyone even strangers on the street. Most people were either supportive or curious. I think the reason why some people are so guarded about discussing this is from their past experiences with dieting which normally ended badly. Perhaps the reason why I was so open was because I wasn't much into the dieting thing prior to surgery.

[S(he) be(lie)ve(d) 151]

I only told 4 people that I knew would support me 1,000%. I knew they would never say negative comments, be mean/rude, discourage me, create drama, gossip, or try to sabotage my success. They have all been amazing since day one!!! I share my story here and I have also headed up a local support group for others who have also had the VGS or other bariatric surgeries done. In our group, there are many others that are private about their WLS as well. So, each meeting, I remind everyone that names and personal info is to remain confidential. I don't regret not telling everyone or being an open book. Privacy is important to me.

[lapband78 30]

I also want to mention why I don't tell people.

I had a lap band. That means that you will not loose weight as quickly as other WLS.

I don't want people to have high expectations of how I will loose weight and how quickly.

Also I don't want people to judge what I eat and how I eat.

I think that if you tell everyone that you had a WLS they will be looking at your every move.

This is my journey

[rnytiffany 33]

I am still pre op but I've just told my husband and sister.... no one else knows of my interest in WLS.

[Dub 9,922]

I think this decision is going to be made by itself.

What am I going to tell folks but the truth ?

"Yeah....I was just watching what I've been eating and excercising a little to drop 150 lbs these past few months".

I told my boss, a co-worker who had RNY with the same surgeon, my immediate family and a couple of close friends. I got asked all the time "What's your secret?" and I initially felt guilty telling folks that it was diet, exercise and working closely with a doctor & nutritionist. I just didn't want to deal with the stigma of WLS. However, in retrospect, I didn't lie at all. WLS is a tool, not the cure. You can alter your body with surgery, but if you don't commit to the dietary and exercise changes, we've all heard the stories of people who gain the weight right back. No one's asked me outright if I had surgery, and I'm not sure what I would tell them, though a couple of people (well meaning as they might have been) asked me if I was sick because I'd lost so much weight since the last time I saw them! I feel it's our personal business what and who we tell- I'd have no problem at all telling anyone who was interested in the surgery, though. That's a big reason why I had it in the first place- I had a good friend who had it done and was very real with me with her advice and experience. Plus...if telling someone is going to help them get on track to a healthier lifestyle, I'd think I would be doing myself and them a disservice by not disclosing my surgery and how it's done wonders for my health and overall well being.

Sorry, but I can't read a word of what you posted due to that font.