Telling my co-workers about my WLS

I know this may sound silly, but I'm not sure if I want to tell my  co-workers about my plans to have WLS.  I'm wondering how others have decided to deal with telling people at work?  I know they will most likely be able to figure it out after I return to work.  I just don't know if I want to talk about it with them or hear the opinions of those who might agree with WLS.

Jazzy

I'm pretty open with everyone about my surgery. Although I've had a pretty hard time with my surgery it helps to talk to people about it. I make sure I tell people that it's not an easy choice nor is the lifestyle change. So far, I've gotten nothing but great feedback from people. "You had WLS?! OMG, you look great!" It's comments like that that lifts your day.

Of course, it's a personal decision. In my case, I'm just more open than most I guess.

~Heather

I personally was so proud and wanted everyone to know.  The more support I had the more successful I would be.  Who knows, along the way you may plant the seed for someone else that is struggling with their weight.  I had a lot of weight to lose and if I had not told them, I feared that people would think I was seriously ill.

Of course, it is your decision to make but I was proud and willing to take the risk of people having negative things to say.  The people that were negative (which was very few) were just concerned and did not understand until I educated them.

Good Luck,
Christina

It is entirely YOUR decision, No one can tell you what to do. If you don't want to tell anyone, don't. It is not thier business unless you tell them, Me, I was and am very open about ti. But that is me.

Lisa

Jazzy,

I was wondering the same thing too. I told my supervisor ONLY, because I know I will be needing time off. I told him that I didnt want my co-workers to know.

I really dont think I would feel comfortable tell them I had surgery...I dont think its none of there business.

I am sure sooner of later they will figure out something....I would worry about that, cause I dont think the would be SOOOO rude to ask me a question like "Did you have that WLS Surgery"

I may need to talk to someone about that after surgery...but I just dont feel that its ANYONE business....

Just my thoughts.

Datrace,
Dont be so sure about thinking someone wouldn't be so rude to ask...
I have a friend who had botox injections and one of our imbecile coworkers got right up in her face and, you guesed it, blurted out loudly "did you have botox?"  Not the first time she's needed to be slapped for being an idiot, but I guess you cant fix stupid!
                                                                                        Rhonda

Trust me.. people can be rude and are idiots at time.  They will have the balls to come right out and ask you.  It will happen.  Mark my words.

Christina

A few days after I came back to work after my RNY (2 weeks Post Op) I had told a customer  "I am not able to move the sofa for you, I just had a major surgery" customers asks "Oh what kind?" I say: "Intestinal Surgery" She blurts out: "OH! You took THAT route to lose weight?! Good for you!"  Everyone else in the show room stops and looks at me. After that I just decided to be open about it. It's easier for me to just say: "I had WLS" and leave it at that then have people guessing or assuming.

But, that is just my train of thought. But, like everyone else says, there will always be rude or nosey people so you have to expect that.

~Heather

Here is my honest feeling. I told everyone and now I wish I had not.  My surgery was nearly 7 years ago - and I am still the one who had wls . some people make sure every new employee knows.  I have had co- workers tell total strangers who have no need to know my personal medical history who are just visitors. it is discussed frequently.  people gossip. several others I work with have also had wls. Several have also had significant regains and I cannot guess how many people have asked my "opinion " as to why they are regaining. If any one gains or loses or stalls or eats something everyone is all over it with gossip and comments.  I have tried to take the stance of just educating those who are uninformed.   I Can't comment on anyone else's surgeries - I had  different Dr, maybe my surgeon does the surgery differently. different drs give different dietary advice. I follow my Drs advice along with what I have figured out what works well for me. everybody eats something once in a while that is not perfect and deserves to not be judged.  you get critisized for losing to fast, too much, not enough, regaining, etc. and because you were open about the surgery everyone feels it is open to discussion in any way they want to discuss it.

if you are comfortable being judged under a microscope go ahead. Yes the compliments are nice, but the catty remarks about the easy way, that you somehow cheated to lose the weight, that it isn't fair that you could have surgey to lose weight and another person couldn't ( this was from some one who is at most 30 pounds overweight who thought she should be able to have wls)  to how "everybody knows people dont have that surgery for their health - it is so they can wear mini skirts and bikinis"  (seriously _ want to see my thighs post weight loss - no mini skirts here! and I had seriously high bloodpressure and cholesterol as well)