Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Has Anyone Kept Their Surgery A Secret?



Recommended Posts

I've been obese for about half of my life and I have an extensive medical history. I had my surgery April 11th and I decided before the surgery not to tell anyone. Only my wife knows and she is aware of my wishes to keep my surgery secret. Right now I am trying to figure out how to respond when my family members inquire about my rapid weight loss? Has anybody kept surgery a secret and how is it working out so far?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded in 2010. I only told a very few people who had a "need to know". When i was asked about my weight loss my 2 favorite go to answers were. "I gave up eating the crappy foods, like bread" or "I gave up drinking soda". Both of which were true. I may also toss in about going to the gym. I don't make a big deal about it.

Good for you for planning ahead.

DA

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I haven't told a whole lot of people as yet, but that needs to change within the next few days. My husband and kids know and 2 close friends know. Now that I've come through surgery in one piece, I need to start telling people. I don't think it's fair to not tell people the truth who ask how the weight is coming off. We all know how desperate we were to find "the key," to losing weight and telling people that we've cut out soda and bread isn't altogether true. We've cut out far more than soda and bread and not telling the truth is misleading, IMHO. I'm a very private person, so "going public," is hard for me. Nevertheless, I don't want anyone wanting to lose weight to cut out soda and bread and think they're going to lose the way I hope to lose (I had a band to bypass revision, so my loss will be slower than yours). For me, it's about being honest and accountable now that I've had the surgery and am starting on this new part of my life. Just my opinion, but there you have it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've had my surgery since 2015 and very few people know outside of my immediate family and closest friends.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi bunnyboop... I am due to have band to bypass revision next week...... been waiting a year... did you have it as one surgery. How did it go.. how are you feeling and how quickly is the weight coming off?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Georgina,

Yes, I had my band to bypass revision in one surgery -- along with getting a hiatal hernia fixed.

I'll be a week out of surgery tomorrow and I have to say that it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined it would be. I was given a morphine pump while I was in the hospital for pain and the morphine kept me pain-free and reasonably sleepy (good for rest). I was in the hospital for 2 nights and 2 1/2 days and I came home with Oxycontin pills for pain -- which I only needed for a day or so. I transitioned to Tylenol pretty quickly and starting yesterday, I've been on nothing at all. I'm still pretty wiped out -- the surgery takes the stuffing out of you -- but I go for short walks outside ever day -- each day a bit longer than the last -- and I'm due to go back to work (I have a lot of autonomy over my daily schedule), a week from tomorrow. The all-liquid diet is boring, but necessary in order for the pouch to heal (at least, that's what my surgeon says -- every surgeon is different), and I can either advance to some mushy solids (ie: cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.), this week or next. I'm not saying it's easy, but I have no regrets so far.

The weight is coming off however it wants to come off. I actually gained weight between when I went into the hospital for the surgery and when I came home -- Water weight from the IV which took a few days to leave my body. I'm now down 5 lbs. from when I went into the hospital, so it's not as though I'm losing fast here. Nevertheless, I knew the weight loss would be slow based on what I read about revisions and I'm OK with that. I plan on being very compliant with what I'm supposed to eat and when and in time, the weight will come off, I"m sure.

Good luck -- let me know how you're doing.

Bunny

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not me, I wanna scream it from the top of the roof. :) But I just found out my cousin had it 2 years ago and told nearly no one. People just kinda thought she used meds or went on a low carb diet. For the first time in her life she reached healthy weight, but she had been able to go below 200 before with dieting. So everyone thought she just did that again. I was pleasantly surprised when she told me the other day, thinking that explains ALOT :P I wouldn't worry to much, IF people start asking. Just tell the you are trying out low carb diet or something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in the middle of preparing for surgery, and no one but my husband and my doctor know. I've tried every diet out there, and nothing has worked. People who know me, love me, and work with me have seen my ups and downs through the years. I've done Weight Watchers at work, so my struggle to lose is not a secret. I am, however, reluctant to broadcast this based on my previous inability to to lose and maintain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery 16 days ago. My family and close friends know but I didn't tell my coworkers. I didn't even tell them I was going on leave. I go back May 1st and I've already lost 24# so I know I'm gonna get questions. I'm not trying to keep it a secret I just don't know how to go about telling them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Dtrain84 said:

I've been obese for about half of my life and I have an extensive medical history. I had my surgery April 11th and I decided before the surgery not to tell anyone. Only my wife knows and she is aware of my wishes to keep my surgery secret. Right now I am trying to figure out how to respond when my family members inquire about my rapid weight loss? Has anybody kept surgery a secret and how is it working out so far?

My Mom, sister and two good friends know. But I haven't even told my husband. I'm going to tell him tonight. "I think" I know he's going to try and talk me out of it. But I need the help. I've tried everything. I've gotten bigger and bigger. I'm in so much pain. I'm doing this for my health do his opinion doesn't matter. I wouldn't tell him at all if it wasn't for the overnight stay in the hospital

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Spouses usually need to know. What if there are complications? Who will take care of you and pick up your slack? Who has to deal with the hormonal outbursts?

If you don't live with them, they don't need to know..... But if you do, they do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Berry78 said:

Spouses usually need to know. What if there are complications? Who will take care of you and pick up your slack? Who has to deal with the hormonal outbursts?

If you don't live with them, they don't need to know..... But if you do, they do.

Ok. I'm going to tell him tonight. What should I say?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok. I'm going to tell him tonight. What should I say?


I just had my sleeve on April 10th, I didn't tell my husband until I got all my clearances bc I did not want him trying to talk me out of it. It was 2weeks prior to surgery when I told him and said, I'm just letting you know I'm having bariatric surgery on the 10th, he was surprisingly fine with it, just asked about complications and recovery time. Tell him, you won't know his reaction until you tell him.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't imagine keeping it from my boyfriend. He is my rock and the person who has been with me through it all. I did end up having complications with my surgery so it is important to tell your partner.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×