Did you tell people you were having/had WLS?

[karenb]

My bff knows two people who had WKS . One told everyone she knew she was having the surgery. She reached goal, then it was kind of like I did it so now I don't care and went back to her starting weight and has those little candy bar wrappers stuffed in her waste basket. RThe other woman just told a few people about the surgery, lost the weight and more and looked like she was starving for several years. She has since loosened her grip and looks normal=pretty hot actually!

So did you tell people or just a few and go from there. I don't plan to tell hardly anyone. Well, I don't have any family and few friends here. I just hope I can get DH to keep his mouth shut. He'll have to take some time off after the surgery to help me. When I had the surgery for breast cancer we went out to the cracker Barrel for breakfast one weekend and he'd invited a lot ot people to wish me well, or had been thru it themselves.

Ues. I've changed my mind again and have an appoitnment nexxt Wed afternoo. I'm not telling DH because Idon't want him to talk me out of it!

I plan to have the sleeve. I'm 100 lbs overweight. How long will I need someoe around to help me? DH gets every other Fridy off so I'd like to plan it around then so he won't need to make much tim off.

Thanks!

[Hot Tamale]

Initially, only my closest family and friends knew. As the weight came off, I did tell a few more people. At this point, I don't really care who knows, cause I did the work of recovering, eating right, and exercising my tail off - literally! I think my initial embarassment was more about being so heavy that I even considered having it done, rather than that I did it. Now I am confident enough to not give a crap what anyone thinks of me. I did what I needed to do to get healthy, period.

[Jesse]

I had my sleeve about 6 weeks ago. I told virtually no one except dh , kids and my parents until my surgery was approved, and then I told about 4 close friends and my brother. I haven't really told anyone else since; I plan on sharing with my extended family, but not yet. I am not the least bit embarrassed or ashamed, in fact the opposite ~ I feel brave and proud of what I've done I just did not want to discuss it with a bunch of people. I'm a teacher, so I haven't had to deal with workplace issues yet. I did tell my closest friend at work, who I trust implicitly, and she and I decided if either of us is asked what's going on with me, we'll say I've committed to a huge lifestyle change. As time goes on I may or may not tell everyone I ever meet about the sleeve. The way I see it right now is that I'm very selective in who I tell until I know what my comfort level about privacy is going to be. I'm free to tell anyone I want in the future, but I'll proceed with caution for awhile because one thing I know for sure ~ you can never "untell" if you don't like the outcome.

[myyellowstang]

Some I did, some I didn't. However that was circumstantial. I did not, nor do I, hide the fact that I had WLS. If I don't particularly feel like answering questions in a new group situation, I'll just state a lifestyle change and leave it at that. That actually gets less questions than telling them you had WLS. If someone approaches me out of the group and asks for details or help, I don't hide that I had WLS.

Strangely, my mother and my sister are two people I just never got around to telling. How weird is that. They live about an hour away, and we just aren't phone talkers... and then I was having it... and then it was awkward... "oh by the way I had major surgery last week..." I haven't come right out and said that, but they know. I'm sure it's implied. You don't lose 150 pounds in about a year just by diet and exercise when you've been unable to do so for decades.

[Maryposa]

I only told family and a handful of friends. Only one person at work knows, and I only told her because she just reached her highest weight and confided that she considered lap band. Believe it or not, despite my appreciation for my sleeve and wishing I'd done it sooner, I actually encouraged her on her choice to wait, because:

a. 238 is her highest weight ever (surgical lightweight for her height)
b. she is "solid" (kinda muscular) looking and otherwise healthy
c. she switched from having a costco-sized bag of m&ms at her desk to a bag of veggies and cherries, and joined weight watchers
d. I don't think lap-band is the best choice if she gives weight watcher 6 months and hasn't lost a significant amount; I'd say sleeve.

[karenb]

I talked to my counscelor today, I've been seeing her on and off for years. She see people who have had WLS. She things I'll be a great candiate!

[Melodye]

I told most of my friends and family. But, my DH has told everyone. He has been very supportive. He says he is so proud of me for what I have accomplised this far. I went into hiis work today and 2 of his friends didn't hardly recognize me. They told me how great I looked.( I think they need glasses,lol)

But, I think everyone should tell who they want to . I am not ashamed that I had the WLS. I am very happy about the decision. I still have a lot of weight to lose but I know I can do it.

[thinr4me]

I told everyone and in return got amazing support, concern and questions. It was fine.

[MagieDen]

I'm asking this not for me but possibly my hubby. He has Diabetes and is on other medications for other things concerning his weight. He is active at the moment and eats pretty much low carb but still has to lug around his heavy belly and it is effecting his knees. He is 53 and is a War Veteran and he had considered WLS in the past. What actually is the sleeve? he has gone from 309 lbs to 259 lbs. but it has been slow go. Thoughts?

[AllisonB]

So far, only my husband, personal physician, bariatric surgeon, and boss know. I will also tell my mom and my sister. I don't plan to tell anyone else, but won't lie if anyone asks.

I chose RNY due to my diabetes. Both my physician (she's also a diabetes specialist) and surgeon recommended RYN over the sleeve for this reason. Your situation may vary.

[Melodye]

Originally Posted by AllisonB

So far, only my husband, personal physician, bariatric surgeon, and boss know. I will also tell my mom and my sister. I don't plan to tell anyone else, but won't lie if anyone asks.

I chose RNY due to my diabetes. Both my physician (she's also a diabetes specialist) and surgeon recommended RYN over the sleeve for this reason. Your situation may vary.

My Doctor recommended the RNY over the sleeve also due to my diabetes.

[myyellowstang]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

I'm asking this not for me but possibly my hubby. He has Diabetes and is on other medications for other things concerning his weight. He is active at the moment and eats pretty much low carb but still has to lug around his heavy belly and it is effecting his knees. He is 53 and is a War Veteran and he had considered WLS in the past. What actually is the sleeve? he has gone from 309 lbs to 259 lbs. but it has been slow go. Thoughts?

Here's an image:

[ladyrideraz]

Originally Posted by myyellowstang

Some I did, some I didn't. However that was circumstantial. I did not, nor do I, hide the fact that I had WLS. If I don't particularly feel like answering questions in a new group situation, I'll just state a lifestyle change and leave it at that. That actually gets less questions than telling them you had WLS. If someone approaches me out of the group and asks for details or help, I don't hide that I had WLS.

Strangely, my mother and my sister are two people I just never got around to telling. How weird is that. They live about an hour away, and we just aren't phone talkers... and then I was having it... and then it was awkward... "oh by the way I had major surgery last week..." I haven't come right out and said that, but they know. I'm sure it's implied. You don't lose 150 pounds in about a year just by diet and exercise when you've been unable to do so for decades.

I told close friends and one of my clients but now when people see me that I am also good friends with and they can tell I lost alot of weight I don't mind sharing. Two are even considering it.

[DenimGirl]

I am just starting to go through this and begin to collect approvals, but so far i have only told a work friend. I knew she would be supportive and discrete.

- DG

[AllisonB]

Originally Posted by DenimGirl

I am just starting to go through this and begin to collect approvals, but so far i have only told a work friend. I knew she would be supportive and discrete. - DG

This is why I am keeping my "direct notification" list short. I don't want or need to hear about someone's mother's neighbor's hair dresser's sister who died from the surgery.

[chewiegand]

Originally Posted by AllisonB

This is why I am keeping my "direct notification" list short. I don't want or need to hear about someone's mother's neighbor's hair dresser's sister who died from the surgery.

I totally agree. You never hear of the successes, only the failures or complications.

[anewmemii]

Originally Posted by Hot Tamale

Initially, only my closest family and friends knew. As the weight came off, I did tell a few more people. At this point, I don't really care who knows, cause I did the work of recovering, eating right, and exercising my tail off - literally! I think my initial embarassment was more about being so heavy that I even considered having it done, rather than that I did it. Now I am confident enough to not give a crap what anyone thinks of me. I did what I needed to do to get healthy, period.

This is what I did. The thing that gets old is that one person who starts every conversation with "So what's your weight now?" I know she's not trying to be mean but I really don't like being reminded if I had a bad scale day or if I'm plateauing.

[Gymnopedie]

I've told DH and that's it.

I told my boss I would be having surgery, but preferred not to discuss why. HR doesn't require I tell anyone why.

Mostly because a lot of people I know have a really negative attitude about it, and I don't want to deal with it.

[AllisonB]

Originally Posted by Gymnopedie

I've told DH and that's it.

I told my boss I would be having surgery, but preferred not to discuss why. HR doesn't require I tell anyone why.

Mostly because a lot of people I know have a really negative attitude about it, and I don't want to deal with it.

Best wishes! My surgery was August 20. I have been pleasantly surprised by the positive reactions I've received when people find out I had the bypass. The one "oh, my aunt had that and is having all kinds of problems" person actually came back to me the next day and asked me all kinds of questions - she's interested in the surgery now.

[Jesse]

I tell who I feel like telling. People who are close to me like my friends and extended family know now. Before the surgery I told my parents, my kids, and about 4 really close friends, because I didn't want any negative talk/stories until it was done. One of my very best friends freaked out all the same and cried and said she was scared I was going to die etc. It reinforced my thought to keep the circle of those who knew before the surgery small.Although I like my co-workers, even now I don't want to talk about my surgery at work, so I've only told 2 people who I completely trust. People are gossiping about it I'm sure, and that's fine. Occasionally someone will press me about what my "secret" is and I tell them I've committed to a complete lifestyle change. If they ask how much I've lost, I say "a lot".

[Phranquie]

I only told my BF and I have asked him to not tell anyone. I did not want negative comments before the surgery and I feel this is a private health matter that I choose not to share with other people. I also do not want my weight to be the topic of conversation with anyone.

If someone asks me how I am losing weight I will tell them a change in lifestyle and eating low carb and serious portion control. If I feel like it would benefit someone to know about the VSG then I might discuss it in private with them but also let them know it is just a tool and the hard work is still there every single day with every meal.

[Hot Tamale]

In a way I don't mind telling some people, but I do feel there will always be some winner who thinks you have the surgery and the weight just falls off you with no work on your part. What garbage. Same thing with plastic surgery. I do believe some people talk behind my back with things like, "Of course she looks better now; she had WLS and then plastic surgery and that did it for her..." Of course, we know the work that goes into losing the weight. People can truly stink.