Going Public

I need some opinions here.  For background - I have no problems telling people I've had surgery, but it's something that, up until this point, I've only shared in person with people if it is relevant to the conversation or whatever.  I.e., I haven't made any sort of public announcement on Facebook, or sent out emails to everyone I know, or anything like that.  

In a month, I'll be going to a big convention and seeing a lot of my friends.  I do NOT want my body to be the hot topic of conversation with everyone I see, or, even worse, the only topic of conversation.  So I've always sort of figured that I'd announce my weight loss (and surgery) on Facebook the week before the convention so that people are prepared and can get all of their initial reactions out of the way ahead of time.  

I should be down 80ish pounds by that point.  (I haven't seen any of these people since I was at my high weight, and I haven't posted a lot of pics on Facebook in the last few months.)  

Now, with a month to go, I'm really starting to question whether or not I should post.  Is 80 pounds really that significant?  Do I really look different? Would anyone notice anyway? Is it worth sharing?  I'll still be obese when the con comes around (although I do hope to be obese with no adjectives, which would be AMAZING.)  Would sharing this with my friends just be bragging?  I just feel conflicted.  Again, I have ZERO problem with people knowing I've had surgery, so that's not in play here.  I'm just questioning my motives.  Is my body going to be the hot topic of conversation regardless of what I do?  Or am I flattering myself into thinking that people will actually care that much?  But on the other hand, I'm SO freaking happy and proud of myself for all of this and I really want to shout it from the rooftops!  Not sharing this with all of my friends so that they can be happy for me too has been pretty challenging for me.  

I don't know.  I'd love some insight about what you all think of this.  And, rereading what I've written, this is probably yet another thing I should add to my list of stuff to talk about with my therapist... I haven't been able to see her the last two weeks due to scheduling issues :P

I'm not sure.  

 

I also really don't have any problem telling people I had the surgery.  I don't really want to blast it publicly, but have told many people -- even people I'm not close to.  

I think you should do what feels right for you.  At some point I might put a before / after post on facebook because I too am damn proud of what I have accomplished (as we should be).  

 

Sorry this isn't super helpful.  I'm just not sure.

Thank you.  It is helpful to hear thoughts from other people, even if they mirror my own confusion!  

I like the advice made to just post pictures - that falls in a place between "giving people fair warning" and "not bragging" that I'm comfortable with.  Heh.  

My personal opinion is to not post to FB and deal with the questions in person where you can speak to any other questions/comments they may make as well as enjoy their surprise. Watch the jaws drop.  80 lbs will definitely be noticeable.

A FB posting may not do your accomplishment justice.  I say tell them in person and bask in the compliments.

Thank you, I appreciate hearing your opinion.  I think I'll post some pics on FB between now and then and deal with any questions that arise as they arise.  If they do!  

I would only say it if you feel like you want to not because of what may happen. I would just say "thank you" to them when they are shocked and love how you look.

I haven't had my surgery yet but when I decided to have it, that was the end of having other dictate what I would say or do.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far!

Thank you :)

I hear you. I only told my closest friends and family until....I got home from the hospital and "survived" surgery. 

I just wanted it out there, and I'm not a very public person. My FB friends are all people I actually personally know. 

I didn't want to explain myself over and over again and deal with the barrage of questions and comments, so I posted on FB and got a lot of support and understanding, of course as a teacher I ended my post with "remember what you learned in kindergarten, if you don't have anything nice to say...."

Do what you want! You're the only person that matters!

See, that's part of how I feel.  I'm not a public person, but this seems like something I want to share with everyone because I'm so happy about it :D  And, like you, my FB friends are all people I actually consider friends.  

I ponder this concern now that I am at my doctor's goal (still working towards my goal). I am ready to start sharing my WLS experience. But I am not going to announce anything on facebook. I have posted recent pics on facebook ... No one has asked about my weight although I have received many compliments.

I have told people that I have been working with my doctor on weight loss. I have found this tactic to be successful so far. I have told close family and very close friends about WLS.

Like you I don't want my weight to be the focus of everyone's conversation. But I still don't feel that all of my co-workers need to know. However, I did share with my secretary and she had surgery two weeks ago.

I guess I am still unsure what to do.