Telling people.....

[becky1963 0]

There are pro's and con's to telling people, but never feel ashamed of getting banded! I've have been overweight my entire life and am finally losing weight after being banded without spending every waking moment thinking about food and how to lose weight. My reasoning is that if there is a reasonable way of losing weight through a surgical procedure, then there must be a physiological componant to the issue of weight loss rather than no willpower.

If I had no willpower, then I would have not been able to keep the same job for 24 years or take care of my family. There is no shame in getting medical treatment for something that affects your health. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not have a clue and must be dealt with much patience and tolerance. (easier said than done!)

[RestlessMonkey 7]

It is YOUR business and you tell, or not, as you see fit. I don't think telling friends you got the lap band is the same as telling them you had a bowel movement and a hangnail, but apparently some do!

In the first place, close friends and family who are active in your life may (or may not) act as a support network. Use your judgment there to decide.

The band is a tool. You will still work very hard to lose every pound, so you don't need to feel you HAVE to tell (like "confessing" to your step dad as if he won't want to buy you clothes if you "cheat" with the band but wouldn't mind if you did it with diet and exercise? Was that what you meant? possibly I misunderstood) but by the same token if people say "wow it is FINALLY working for you you've tried so hard" you may say "yes I got the lap band and now my diet and exercise is actually paying off" or whatever.

In other words, it's yours. Do with it whatever YOU want.

[RaleighLap 0]

I struggled with this problem prior to my surgery. I only told a few close friends and my parents. Everyone was really supportive. Then, the night before surgery I posted a message on Facebook to all my friends telling them about the procedure the next day. To my surprise every single person that wrote me wished me luck and thought it was great. They were proud of me for making a choice to better my health and offered support anytime I needed it. Since my surgery I've had friends showing me new ways to cook, exercise, etc. Personally I think having that support system is wonderful. Also, a few of my overweight friends have asked me about the procedure so I feel like I am able to help them and offer them support by educating them about the Lapband.

[babbs3772 1]

I am of a personal opinion that maybe, just maybe if I share what I have been through that I can help someone else who is obese like I was.

I have told anyone and everyone, is it my personal mission to make sure everyone knows? Nope, but I am a very open and honest person and could never say I only did this with diet and exercise.

It wouldn't be true.

I really truly believe by sharing my experiences, that I too was obese and cried myself to sleep almost every night hating my body, hating my life, not living to the fullest capacity that knew was in me some where's buried under fat and shame, maybe I can help someone else with my honesty.

This is your decision just as the decision I made to share was mine, it is your right to decide what you want, only you will walk in your shoes, no one else will