Telling people

[KarenDM 1]

Hey guys!

I'm about two weeks until my sleeve and I've on recently started telling close people. Weight has always been such a sensitive subject for me I never want to discuss it with anyone. I'm very outgoing and boisterous but I completely clam up when weight is brought up. I know I need to start telling people in my life because I've been big my entire life (98lbs in kindergarten) so people have always known me to be this size. Once I start dropping weight significantly I'm sure people will know that there was some surgical intervention. What are your experiences and thoughts with sharing your decision with people?

Hi! I'm a month away from my surgery and only four people know, my husband, my sister & her boyfriend, and my supervisor (only because he guessed ). My family and friends don't know and I don't want to tell anyone else. I'm actually on the fence about telling my boss at all & I don't know what to do. I wouldn't tell anyone if you're not comfortable, is none of their business. I'm planning on telling people I'm eating right and going to the gym. Which is not a complete lie. I am going to be eating right and going to the gym eventually.. I'm so tired of people discussing my weight and all the things I should be doing, the diets I should be on. Its my weight I decide what to do with it.. Good luck with your journey!

[Pescador 1,374]

I agree KarenDM about people discussing your weight. People gush over our weight loss, especially my husband, and it is annoying as heck. Thankful they do not know about the sleeve.

[JapGirl 229]

@@KarenDM I actually have found the perfect answer. I have been telling people that the time off I'm taking is for the hernia fix. Well turns out someone in my department had the hernia fix when he was in the military and he said he lost a ton of weight after and was on liquids for a while and ate much smaller meals etc. So I plan to use that excuse!

[rachdotjpg 0]

I've been pretty open about telling people. From my experience so far, when people comment on my weight loss, I just simple say thank you. If they pry, then I'll tell them about the surgery. Most overweight people tend to ask me questions about how I went about getting it done, and then most fit people are satisfied with that answer. Pre-op I was ashamed to tell people, the whole stigma around fat people is very scary. The thing is, people already know that we're overweight- it's no secret. If they judge you for being fat, shouldn't they be happy that you're now losing weight? But then again, we're doing this for ourselves, not for anyone else. There's no point in worrying about what other people think or suspect. All that matters at the end of the day is that YOU'RE getting healthy!

[changing_che 0]

Hi!

At the end of the day, you owe no one an explanation. If you don't feel that you want to share your surgery with others, don't. If someone asks how you lost the weight just say: "I've made major changes in my life, but the main thing is eating small portions and exercise". That's all.. I've shared with a few friends and co-workers, some of them give me the whole "you don't need it speech"..I even got it from my trainer, but the bottom line is- no one has to live your life but you, only you know what's best for you and that's all that matters.

Edited February 24, 2016 by changing_che

[ready2dothis16 8]

I am current just over 2 weeks until my sleeve as well.

The important people know. My office thinks I'm having a hernia repair, which isn't a lie. I've been losing weight steadily for the past month or so and because of my starting bmi I'm expected to be a slow loser. But if someone asks I plan to tell them that I'm eating smaller healthier portions and exercising. Which also isn't a lie.

Forewarning..... other overweight people are not always supportive so don't bank on that and tell them. They alot of times get mean. Of the few friends I've told the skinny ones are supportive. One overweight person was supportive (she is currently in the same process), but the other overweight person was a complete turd about it.

I'm not telling anyone at work either I'm going to say I'm having my gallbladder removed. I just started my diet so that after surgery I can just say it's from the diet I'm on.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using the BariatricPal App

[Mandy1 17]

I just wrote this in another thread but I haven't told anyone that I had surgery. I've just been telling people who ask that I'm watching my portions and nobody (that I know of) has put two and two together.

I agree with the others who've said it's your choice what to share and with whom. You don't owe anyone an explanation and if people are surprised with the rate of weight loss, tell them the semi-truth that you've changed your eating habits and are exercising.

Alternatively, if you wish you share with others that you're having surgery, then do whatever makes you happy!