Has anyone decided to be a secret bandster?

I have only told my closest relatives (father, sister) and girlfriend.  I have not even told my closest lifelong friends and I am glad I didnt.    My weight loss has stalled due to a leaky port and am facing a port replacement ASAP.  Having to explain to the immediate world why I had WLS and am not down a huge, visible amount of weight after 5 months would be annoying and I am glad I did not share my surgery with others than those that I mentioned.

Thanks everyone for the input, there are some things said i did not think about before. And you are all right about the old adage "3 people can keep a secret if 2 are dead"

Yes - very happy on that decision! only DH and inlaws know (they only know becasue they kept kids) no need, in my opinion for anyone else - it is personal!

Krista, don't feel lonely I am with you. I am not having surgery until December and my immediate family knows, my husband (ofcourse), people at work, the board people, friends from my old job, and anyone else that will listen.  It is kinda funny.. I am almost proud I am getting this done.  I want to feel better about myself, I want to be healthier, I want people to know I am will to do something other than complain about why diets don't work.  PLUS, if it gets other people to help themselves, I am willing to do that. I am not a shy person by nature.  When my son was born with anancephaly, I had 20 people in and our of the hospital room looking at him.  They were trying to do it discreetly so they didn't offend me, but I took it as a learning experience.  If people do not share new and unique things, then other don't know how to react to it. I understand why people don't want to share, but without those that like to or are willing to share,  the bad information about why bandsters don't lose like RNYers will continue and etc. Amanda and Krista taking one for the team     I haven't told anyone on my husband's side of the family yet because I dislike my sister in law and want to rub it in when I get smaller than her. Amanda

I have only told two people-my husband and my sister.  When people ask what am I doing to lose weight, I tell them the "almost truth" that I am exercising and eating better by cutting down on the carbs.  I just leave out the band portion.  I really do not like to dwell on the weight loss.  I am so much more than my weight, at any weight.  And I don't sit around with my thin friends and talk about how thin or weight appropriate they are.  Also, I have read too many posts about people whose family and friends were so not supportive of their decision that it just reinforces my choice to keep mum. 

I started looking at RNY last Nov. 05 but had to postponed and have now decided on lap-band (hopefully soon). I talked about it to everyone and because I did, my oldest daughter had lap-band done on Sept. 7 this year and is thrilled about it. Since she has been operated, she has had a lot of questions and has answered truthfully and found that many, MANY people do not know about this procedure and are happy to find out about it. So, there's so good to be done if you mention it! Depends on who you are!  I know I am really looking forward to mine and it is MY decision and I am not afraid of sharing it with anyone, no matter how slow I will lose, I will LOSE where I am now gaining all the time and have all my life! Have a great day everyone, this is a very nice site, Huguette

I told only the people closest to me. I just could not think of going out and running into people and have them ask all sorts of questions. Plus, most people don't know how safe the band is and how wonderful it is. I feel people will think of RNY and ask if my hair is falling out and how do I get my vitamans in ext ...and I don't want to defend my decision to people I'm not so close to. Plus LESS pressure on you. Good Luck! Christine

I only told my immediate family and a few of the girls at work. Everyone is supportive, I'm just a private person by nature. It's just a personal choice. I don't think it's a dirt secret or anything but it's not like I tell everyone I've met that I had my wisdom teeth out when they tell me what a nice smile I have.  I think it's fine not to band and tell.