I feel like everyone is watching me.......

mstrina27 · May 23, 2008

Now a few people at work know that I was banded, and actually don't think some believe me becasue i came back to work so quick, but it is like everyone is like how is everything going, what can you eat and things like that. I mean that's not a bad thing at all I actually like it because it keeps me on my toes... but on the other hand because of people that have failed with the lap band @ my job and or the gastric people are looking at me like i wonder if your going to be diffrent. I know my mind set is diffrent now. I dont even feel the same way i felt before about food at all, and I know i will be a success, but I don't want people basing their decision to get the lap band on my progress because everyone's body is diffrent.

salsa1877 · May 23, 2008

Now a few people at work know that I was banded, and actually don't think some believe me becasue i came back to work so quick, but it is like everyone is like how is everything going, what can you eat and things like that. I mean that's not a bad thing at all I actually like it because it keeps me on my toes... but on the other hand because of people that have failed with the lap band @ my job and or the gastric people are looking at me like i wonder if your going to be diffrent. I know my mind set is diffrent now. I dont even feel the same way i felt before about food at all, and I know i will be a success, but I don't want people basing their decision to get the lap band on my progress because everyone's body is diffrent.

I think it is the perfect opportunity for people to be educated (I am a teacher...I think everyone needs to be educated:lol:). When they ask questions it is nice to be able to answer them honestly. I have had several people approach me at work and ask all those questions and then mutter something about wondering if it will work for them. Then I go into my speech about how you have change your eating habits, work out, and pretty much flip your life upside down at times. By the time I am done explaining the rules and the regulations of this band, the complications that can arise and providing them stories from here and my in person support group (obviously no names) they are not convinced that this is the easy way or that it would be successful for them. One lady said...there is no way I could have that much discipline...and I said, if you don't, it doesn't work. You seem to have such a wonderful attitude about the band and your mental changes that you have put in place now are going to bring you great success in the future. I think that sometimes it is good to be a role model for your peers. For me I have my students (high schoolers) questioning the foods they eat because I have been very open and honest about my surgery. So yes I have had 150+ pairs of eyes watching every morsel of food that has gone in my mouth between school hours since the first day of school. It helped me be accountable and it helped educate them. Hopefully you can do the same for your co-workers.

Good luck and FANTASTIC job!

MickATL · May 23, 2008

Congratulations on your surgery! The decision to share, what to show and how much detail you share is really a personal thing. I am an open book. I figure the more people who know and can help me stay the course the better. I didn't embark on this journey for the quick fix anyway. My friends and family will notice I eat healthier smaller portions. That's about it. But I would rather they understand I'm making permanent lifelong changes and not "he's on a diet".

I wouldn't want anyone to base a decision to have lap band surgery on my wonderful success or someone else's lack of success. We each walk this path alone. Even if someone does really well, they can stray. The great thing about the band is it is adjustable. We can work to find the right level of restriction and balanced eating to maintain a weight or get back to losing.

Good luck on your journey! The hard part is over now it's getting on with the rest of your banded life.

auntlucy · May 23, 2008

Honestly, that was one of my biggest fears before the surgery...that people would be watching me and talking about me behind my back. Because I sabotaged myself in the past after I started losing weight and people started talking about it, this was something I had to come to terms with before my surgery. I also was VERY selective in who I told that I had the surgery. I understand that some people are very open about it, and if that works for them, that's great. But, I knew that wouldn't work for me. So, only a select few people that I felt absolutely had to know (at work and in my personal life) know. I've also been very open before and after the surgery about what I needed from those select few in order to be successful. Some of them have been a little "over excited" for me, but I know that is just their way of showing support. Some have started asking how much I've lost, and for me, I'm not really comfortable sharing that number...so I just tell them I'm doing great, feeling great, and trying not to focus on the number. No one has seemed offended by that answer so far. At some point I may be more open about the fact that I had surgery, but for now, I'm telling people who don't know (when they ask) that I'm working very hard--diet and exercise...as we all know on this forum, that is definitely true. So, MSTRINA, I'd like to encourage you today. Continue to do this for you and not for everyone else. You have already had a lot of success! Along the way, people will turn to you as a role model. I say embrace that because sometimes people need to see that someone else was able to succeed! But, at the same time, you should feel very comfortable in telling people what kind of support you need from them. Most people are going to respond well to that. Let them know they are part of your support team in this, and that in order to be successful, you need certain things from them.

It's_Christine · May 23, 2008

I have lost >100 lbs three time since I have had the same job and needless to say have gained it and more back. Based on that and my need to just stay centered and make this all about ME I decided not to tell anyone at work except my boss and only a few members of my family. Would I like support, sure I would but the support with the band is no different than what I have needed in the past so I have decided to keep that part to myself. So if people ask why I am eating the way I am I will tell them I am working on my health and leave it at that.

My point is I think we all need to know what it is that WE need succeed and protect that. This is our health and out future.