I was approved

I am 17 years out and didn't tell anyone but close family. I hear people talk now about it. Nothing has changed. They all think it is an easy way and start telling you that they or someone else can do it without surgery. Do yourself a favor and saving the headaches, don't tell. Most are still very ignorant to WLS.

If you tell people about surgery before you have it, you open yourself up to well-intentioned criticism from people who haven't researched the surgery as much as you have. After surgery, I think that's much less of a risk (from what I've read of other's experience).

You're wise to think about this in advance, because there is the possibility people will judge you. You don't need to lie, a simple "I'm not comfortable talking about that" is fine. You can tell as much or as little as you want. If you decide to tell people, think about what you might say if someone reacts negatively, just in case.

As for me... well I tell anyone who asks how I lost so much weight. There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, I knew that if someone did say something negative, it wouldn't bother me. As I get older, my "skin" has gotten a lot thicker. Also, people in Ireland are less likely to judge you; at least to your face. Finally, I wish someone had told me years ago that this was a practical option. I had heard of things like "having your stomach stapled", but I was under the impression that it didn't really work. So I want to spread the news! Everyone I've told has been very supportive. I haven't had a single negative reaction.

But that's me. If I were at a different stage of my life, or in different cir****tances, I would have made a different choice. You need to do what's right for you. Best of luck!

Congratulations on 11 years! You look great! As a new post op, I am so thankful for your post and your advice.

In response to a reply on the RNY board asking why my posting has been pretty much the same from year to year:

This is not a "canned" post though it has been for the most part the same from year to year. It is sharing what has worked for me with maintaining my weight-that has stayed the same with adjustment as needed through the years.

Of course cir****tances for me have changed from year to year but how I've worked things hasn't, what works doesn't. Consistency of action no matter what has been the key to my success, and that includes how I respond to the ups and downs of life both outside and inside myself. My opinions, thoughts, and feelings don't matter- actually much if not most of the time they are counterproductive to managing myself. Complaining for sure doesn't help either.

My posting is a way of marking the date for me and reminding myself of what has worked and telling myself to stay on course. Also maybe I can hopefully support others who are starting out or perhaps needing to recalibrate or best yet should be congratulating themselves.