Question:
How do I avoid telling the truth about the surgery?
I don't want to lie to people about the surgery. But is there a way that I can avoid telling nosy people about it, or even people who are just curious? I don't want my surgery to become a topic of discussion and I'd rather not hear people giving their negative opinions about it. — Jaimee S. (posted on December 2, 2001)
December 2, 2001
Jamie,
What I did was simply tell people at work that I had to have abdominal
(sp?) surgery. If they pressed (and really, not many did), I just said I
"had to have some parts rearranged" and that I would be fine once
it was taken care of. Good luck! Sheri
— Sheri Z.
December 2, 2001
I told people truthfully that I had my gallbladder removed and some
"other things done" at the same time. I did not elaborate on
what the other things were. The flip side of that is I've had very few
comments about my weight loss. For me, that's OK, but if you expect people
to notice your weight loss, please realize it may not happen as soon as you
would expect. I've gone down 2 sizes in clothing and can count on my hands
the people who've made comments. That includes family members and very
close friends who knew I'd had the surgery. Go figure!
— [Anonymous]
December 2, 2001
What I told my coworkers was that I'm having stomach surgery (since I have
always had irritable bowel and other stomach ailments). Some of them I
just said I was having surgery (it's none of their busiens). I did,
however, tell my mother and stepfather. My father has yet to know. Some
of my family were excited when I told them after my surgery what exactly
what I had. Know when I call them, I always get "so, how much have
you lost now". My coworkers know now that I did and they are even
going as far as bringing me in clothes that don't fit them anymore (they
all are the skinny type). Good luck on your decision to tell or not to
tell. My surgery was 08/28/01. I had Open RNY 60" distal and so far
have lost 54 lbs. I'm glad I went through it and would do this again in a
heartbeat.
— trtorrey
December 2, 2001
Everyone that knows me well knows in gruesome detail exactly what I had
done LOL but for folks who don't know me, like servers at restaurants, I
just say I've had stomach surgery and can't eat very much. That seems to do
the trick. Once you're postop, recovering nicely, and losing weight, very
few people will have the nerve or the stupidity to say negative things to
you (IME). If someone does, you can just say, "I'm sorry you think
that. I feel great!" and go on your merry way. They are the miserable
SOB in that situation, not you, so don't add it to your worry pile. :-)
— Julia M.
December 2, 2001
Hi, I had open RNY last May and I only told my husband and my Mom. At work
I told everyone I was having my gallbladder removed (I didnt). Same thing
with my kids (they are very young) and friends. Ive lost about 70 lbs so
far and when people ask me how I did it, I say exercise and I eat less (the
truth!) Becuase I was considered a "lightweight" I knew I would
hear so much negativity re: the surgery. But in my heart I knew it was my
only answer. So I figured rather then deal with all the negativity I will
tell one simple lie. So far it has worked just fine. Best of luck.
— [Anonymous]
December 4, 2001
Well, I don't want to lie at all. Even simple lies can hurt people in the
end. There are people that I have pretty good relationships that I don't
want to tell because they like to talk. Even if what they are saying is not
bad, I just don't want me and my surgery to become a topic of conversation.
Word gets around quickly. I'll probably tell them or have my parents tell
them that I was having some health problems taken care of.
Thank you guys for your responses. :D
— Jaimee S.
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