Should I tell my co-workers?

[roseyandmusic 0]

I've been debating whether or not to tell my co-workers about getting WLS. Normally I would say NO its none of their business. But I am a teacher and if I drop the weight as fast as some of you have, they will notice and my students will notice. I have done the yo-yo thing as long as I've been working here and never was able to lose weight super fast. And my co-workers are open (NOSEY). Not to mention the parents of my kids (yikes they are worse). They will ask eventully. They always asked me if I was pregnant when I gained weight. Let me tell you that got old real fast! I'll be so happy when they won't ask me that anymore because hopefully I won't have the pooch stomach and I will not yo-yo anymore.

Any suggestions?

[Cingulus 0]

I would nto deny it if specifically asked, but otherwise I would just tell them...I am make good progress in that area...You still have to exercise and eat less so you are doing the work, you just have better tools for the job now. You never know who will turn out to be judgmental.

[MacMadame 81]

I think in the environment that you are in, not telling could have repercussions. For example, there is a teacher I know whose students started spreading gossip that she was losing weight because she was a drug addict.... because she was always taking "pills" (i.e., her Vitamins & supplements). She ended up telling them and going over all the stuff in her pill box.

I'm not sure if a big announcement is the way to go though. But when people ask you how you are losing weight, you can tell them you are eating less, moving more and you had WLS to deal with your hunger. Tell just a few people and the word will spread...

[Tiffykins 673]

I work in a small insurance agency. There is only 3 of us, and the other 2 in the agency are the owners, so they kind of have to know. I'm pretty close to them so it wasn't difficult for me to tell them about getting the LapBand last October. They've been super supportive dealing with the band complications, and issues I've had. They are excited that I am not going to have to deal with the band anymore.

I have not and will not tell my evil step-sisters. They have always made me feel horrible about my weight (they are naturally thin, size 2 thin). My mom had Lapband in November 2007, and they don't know how she has lost 80lbs, but they are much nicer to her now. I just don't think it's any of their business. Plus, they'll be even more judgemental and evil step-sisterish. . .

I won't deny it to anyone, but I don't readily volunteer information.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I've been debating whether or not to tell my co-workers about getting WLS. Normally I would say NO its none of their business. But I am a teacher and if I drop the weight as fast as some of you have, they will notice and my students will notice. I have done the yo-yo thing as long as I've been working here and never was able to lose weight super fast. And my co-workers are open (NOSEY). Not to mention the parents of my kids (yikes they are worse). They will ask eventully. They always asked me if I was pregnant when I gained weight. Let me tell you that got old real fast! I'll be so happy when they won't ask me that anymore because hopefully I won't have the pooch stomach and I will not yo-yo anymore.

Any suggestions?

In the beginning I didn't tell anyone. After I realized this was actually working then you couldn't shut me up. I told the whole world. I'd love for the whole world to be sleeved, skinny people too just so they never get fat. ;o)

[Elisabethsew 50]

Weight has always been discussed about and around me. I was a chubby kid and a fat adolescent, and an obese adult. I've lost and regained hundreds of pounds and told two people that I was getting the band. Those same two people know I got a revision to VSG.

Until I AM successful (as in 25 pounds from goal), my choice is to make this about me and not the opinions of others. That's how I feel at this stage of the game.

[*susan* 1,709]

I told a couple of people at work, but they are my closest coworkers and we pretty much share everything. I guess it is a personal choice. I don't really hide it, if someone compliments and says they can tell I am losing weight, I smile and tell them thanks. If they take it a step further and ask how I am doing it, I usually don't mind telling them.

[Malaika 50]

I've been debating whether or not to tell my co-workers about getting WLS.

Any suggestions?

I've been debating over the same issue. Someone on here mentioned that they told their co-workers they had hiateral hernia surgery. I don't think I will be able to get around telling those I work with that I had WLS; however, I have no intentions of telling anyone what I am doing until AFTER it is over and I am back to work. I don't know how I would avoid telling them inasmuch as I'll be drinking liquids and not eating solids -- they will question that in and of itself. Coupled with the fact that I will be dropping weight (quickly, I hope), they are going to know something is up. A lot of people in the office did the Trimcare diet -- my boss included -- and they dropped weight like crazy -- I did it as well and couldn't seem to drop weight nearly as fast as they did. Of course, now that they are all off the Trmcare, they've put all the weight back on.

So, I figure if someone asks me after the fact, I'll tell them. If they don't ask, I don't plan on volunteering. After all, it really is a personal choice and no one else's business -- although I agree with you being a teacher, you might have to explain matters to keep the rumors from circulating.

Good luck with your weight loss regardless of what choices you make in sharing/not sharing.

[MuffinBirdie 11]

I am telling my coworkers that I'm having a gastric surgery that will effect my esophogus (this is true because my band slipped causing esophegul problems and this is a revision to a VSG). I'm letting them know upfront I have to be on a liquid diet for quite awhile after the surgery and that the bonus will be I get to lose a lot of weight fast! I don't like not being fully honest with people - but having had WLS before I know just how judgemental people can be about it... for your sake, I would come up with something to tell them that isn't a LIE so to speak but gets you off the hook so you don't have to hear any backlash or have people talking about you behind your back (and how you "obviously" have no self control and took the easy way out...). That's just my opinion though. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[DownInSocal 12]

I have not had surgery yet but told my coworkers. With all the appointments I had it would have been impossible to hide something was going on. So far all are fine. They have given their opinion and that is fine because they know I am open to opinions.

I think it is going to be hard to hide something has changed with you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are being proactive with your health.

[circa 0]

In the beginning I didn't tell anyone. After I realized this was actually working then you couldn't shut me up. I told the whole world. I'd love for the whole world to be sleeved, skinny people too just so they never get fat. ;o)

good idea! insurance companies ARE telling us all to be more proactive about our health concerns to keep our premiums down! haha! I wish I coulda had it done as a precautionary measure before I got run through the ringer!

[Jaffa 5]

Don't tell anyone. If I could have, I wouldn't even have told my wife. It has no positive side, and many, many negative sides.

I told my wife, I didn't want people to know, and she went and blabbled it to all sorts of people at her work. Well, at least she did learn from it, she definitely ISN'T telling anyone about her surgery.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Don't tell anyone. If I could have, I wouldn't even have told my wife. It has no positive side, and many, many negative sides.

I told my wife, I didn't want people to know, and she went and blabbled it to all sorts of people at her work. Well, at least she did learn from it, she definitely ISN'T telling anyone about her surgery.

I agree with you. The same 2 people who knew I got the band knew I got rid of the band and revised to a sleeve. They kept my confidence for the 3 years I had the band and have done the same with this surgery.

That said, the decision to tell or not is a very personal one. Some people NEED to share and have the support of friends and family. For others, like me, it just added pressure.

[learned2bskinny 81]

I have been trying to decide the same thing. My son is the only one that knows and I think until its done, that will stay that way. Mostly because I'm going to Mexico and I know the reaction that will bring. After the fact, well I'll decide day by day.

[Rosebud2 26]

If you want to live under a microscope then tell them.

I'm not telling anyone except the people who will miss me while I'm in Mexico and I've told them I expect complete confidentiality. So if my son and daughter don't want to be cut out of the will :rolleyes2: they will keep their mouths shut.

Anyone who notices my weight loss I will tell them I'm losing under the supervision of a doctor on a modified liquid diet, including Protein and limiting my carbs. True. Right?

I'm not interested in anyone's opinions or judgements or advice.