Not Telling People

I tell everybody!  I post this everytime someone asks the question.  There will always be a stigma to WLS until WE change it by not hiding our success.  You will be successful because of your effort no matter what anyone else says to you.  I have had the most amazing support from every single person I have come in contact with.  My customers ask how I have lost weight and I tell them.  I run a HoneyBaked Ham so I see a lot of people every day.  I have given out my surgeon's office number to 3 people who are serious about checking VSG out.  If you can help one other person isn't that priceless?

Before the surgery, I only told my boss, a couple of coworkers (who would be doing my work while out), my kids, and a couple of my siblings.  I didn't want anyone's opinions to sway my decision in any way.  It's a personal thing and if I wanted to tell everyone, I would have.  I don't mind talking about it now and I've told other people in work.  The rest of the family knows.  I look and feel so much better, and they do tell me that frequently.  A couple of people did say I hope you're not losing because of an illness...glad to be able to respond, no, I'm not sick. :)  I've had lots of positive feedback.   I have heard some comments about people who've had WLS and gained it back.  I am determined to keep it off and try to stick to plan as best as I can.  Mostly when I tell people, I do mention that one of the biggest deciding factors for me was my ever increasing blood pressure, pre-diabetes.  My mom's side of the family were all very large 300+ and I saw myself inching too close to being one of them.  I'm so glad I chose to have the surgery...not a single moment of regret.

the only place i don't mention my surgery is on my facebook page, because i'm really not into discussing intimate details of my life there - at least not that kind...  in real life do tell just about everyone, and for what i see as very important reasons -- for one, it keeps the saboteurs at bay.  if people know that i can only eat thismuch, they are less likely to say "oh, just have one!" or "a little more won't hurt you!" ....   uh, yes, it will hurt.  physically.  really.  it will hurt. leave me alone.

then i tell strangers, i tell the clerks at lane bryant, i tell waitresses in restaurants...  because i want the word out there that there is more to WLS than the band and the bypass....  help is out there.... and it WORKS...

what people actually think is none of my business, and i don't give a rat's ass.....  i did this for ME...


jeris

Telling is a really personal choice, and one you need to decide for yourself & your comfort level.. I originally was only going to tell one person besides my husband, and that is a long-time friend that had WLS almost a year ago.

I ended up feeling odd about not telling my friends. I didn't want to be put in a position of changing the subject, or half-truthing it if we were in a social situation and I was asked.. I decided to do it on my terms.. we saw each couple for an evening, and I filled them in on my plans. I was expecting.. I don't know, maybe some negativity, some "oh no, why not just XYZ.." I received nothing but support!

I am very grateful for my time with each person, and for the talks we had. Everyone sees my size, they've known me for years.. and they know I'm not healthy. It was a relief to tell, and it gave me some much needed support. Frankly, it felt great!

Yes, we are all subject to judgments, and being judgmental ourselves at times. I was making a judgment about my friends when I projected what I expected their reactions to be, and I was wrong!

So, it's your call.. but I can vouch for one friend in particular I was most scared of telling.. she thanked me sincerely for being open, that it meant a lot to her that I told her about my plans and included her.

This is a learning experience, not only within us and food, but also with-out us and how we interact with the world, and the world to us..

I tell everyone!  LOL ...I tell my coworkers, my facebook friends, cashiers at the grocery store, etc....I am so pleased with my progress, I want to shout it from the rooftops!  I have two co-workers right now who are in the process of having this done because of my success!  I am so grateful for this tool!!

Allison

I am not announcing it but I don't lie.  I feel like, it is what it is.  I tell them, I am working hard at it and if I ate poorly, I would gain.  It is the truth.  Sure the first 2 months weight was falling off of me, but now, it isn't....I look better and feel better.....but I am working at it. 

 I tell everyone as well.  And I am glad I do because I get more support then I thought I would, I meet great people who have had WLS and feel more comfortable talking to me about it because I disclose.  I dont want people to feel like "damn I am doing something wrong because she losing weight and I am not"   

Like someone said its a personal choice.

Good Luck!!