Dilema... how do i keep WLS a secret at work?

Lil-Stinker
on 1/6/11 4:10 am

hey guys, I am usually pretty open to people at work about myself... but I dont want to be losing weight and have to say over and over again "ya.. thanks.. I had WLS." What should I do or say? What did you guys do and say? I just wish I could quietly lose weight and not have to answer questions, but thats not going to happen. ShouldI feel guilty about not telling my coworkers about my operation?
Referral sent on 26 Feb 2010 - Sleep Study on 28 May 2010 - Info session at WMC on 14 Jan 11- Appt with the APN (nurse) on 27 Jan 11 - Dietician and Behaviorist appts on Feb 24. WLS Class 6th April 2011 - Surgeon appt 3 May 2011 Dr Yelle - Surgery June 6th          
Andrea R.
on 1/6/11 4:17 am - Toronto, Canada
 You cant keep it a secret!!! trust me.. i tried that at the beginning.. but once the weight comes pouring off... there is nooo way anybody would believe its "portion size and exercise"....
be happy about WLS im such an advocate now
    
Lil-Stinker
on 1/6/11 4:31 am
lol thats what I was going to tell everyone- portion size and excercise. Can you tell me then, what happened with you? Did you just start telling everyone? What did they say?
Referral sent on 26 Feb 2010 - Sleep Study on 28 May 2010 - Info session at WMC on 14 Jan 11- Appt with the APN (nurse) on 27 Jan 11 - Dietician and Behaviorist appts on Feb 24. WLS Class 6th April 2011 - Surgeon appt 3 May 2011 Dr Yelle - Surgery June 6th          
freakiechick10
on 1/6/11 5:05 am
Myself, I was in school and let my peers know because i was afraid of the gossip if I started to drop weight and lose my hair, also I din't want anyone to be concerned (I'm in nursing, and student can read anything into any changes).  I didn't let them know though until after surgery, and up to when I told people, I wasn't sure what I was going to do.  I wouldn't worry right now, you may want to yell it from the roof tops or not tell anyone,  once you had the surgery, but it is a personal choice. I was shocked at how supportive and curious people were.

Take Care of You
Freakie
    

Freakie        
Samantha B.
on 1/6/11 5:34 am - welland, Canada

I was lucky enough to move around a lot after my surgery as far as work goes... I supply taught, and had several long term positions, so I really didn't have to explain it very much.  People would often ask why I wasn't eating much, but I just said I don't like to eat much lunch... I snack when I get home....  or whatever, but its a bit more tricky when you're eating around people who know how you typical eat, and who see you every day, and will clearly notice a change....  it was hard even for people in my neighborhood to see me change from winter to spring and notice I clearly lost a ton of weight.  I even tried to explain it to some people and they didn't get it, so as open as I wanted to be, I found just telling them, I've changed my lifestyle... a simple exchange for the detailed explaination alternative. 

Don't feel guilty... I know many people who've had the surgery who do not share with anyone other than family and maybe close friends.  I think just telling them you are under dr. supervision diet is probably enough.... if its medical people tend to not want to get too much more involved because its not really their business.  Just assure them its healthy and safe, and you're dr is taking care of you. 

Heaviest~ 286 Surgery ~ 265  Current ~ 163 Goal~ 145-154   BabyFruit Ticker       

LouiseF
on 1/6/11 5:52 am
I lost weight pre-op, so that helped- people didn't connect my wt loss with the surgery so much. I told them I was getting a hiatus hernia repair- true. Also, I keep to the same colour trousers - that is where most of my wt loss is, tops are the same, so no dramatic change in clothes to trigger other thoughts.
Living in a small community, I hear people talking about others' health problems, and really don't want my personal life to be more food for rumor. I have told people who I know will not spread the information, and I have told people who I spend lots of time with. I don't work in an office or hospital, so people from work don't see me that often.
I'm not ashamed of my surgery, just don't want my personal life/health to be gossip.
I would advise to limit to a very few who you tell pre-op.
Mr. Incredible
on 1/6/11 5:54 am - Canada
It's totally up to you- if you are comfortable saying something, go for it.  If not- don't.  There are plenty of surgerys- for example when I went for mine, I was going to have my gallbladder removed.. no big deal- and no questions or judgements- what ever you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

B

PATS- September 30th 2009
Surgery- October 14th, 2009
orignall goal-200lbs new goal 185'
August 2011-  182- umm.. now what?
The past is the past and can never be changed, but the future is what ever you want it to be.




    
Marle
on 1/6/11 6:14 am - Canada
I didn't tell many people besides my husband, sons and a few others as I didn't want to hear the negativity and the stories tothers were going to tell me about people who had WLS. I especially didn't tell my mother. The bottom line, it is a program through the hospital and it's low calorie intake- correct? If they asked what the diet was, I told them I focused on protien and didn't drink directly before or after a meal so my brain got the signal I was full. Very few people asked more than that until I lost over 100lbs and then I wasn't as secretive.
pinkjellybean
on 1/6/11 6:34 am, edited 1/6/11 6:47 am - Canada
VSG on 01/25/12
I work in the mental health field doing counselling for teenagers and their families in in-patient setting....since most of my co-workers would likely suspect a severe eating disorder if they saw me restricting calories, possibly losing hair, and with rapid weight loss.... I'll tell them up front...in fact I've already told a few people I was considering it.  I've felt guilty and ashamed of my weight for far too long and I'd hate to have had  weight loss surgery just to end up feeling guilty and ashamed about having weight loss surgery....I'd like to be outgoing about the whole process and hopefully educate the people around me in the process.  The good thing is I've worked at my location for over 10 years now and feel pretty comfortable with my team there.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!

SURGERY at Toronto Western Hospital - VSG JANUARY 25th, 2012!!

5'9 - HW - 390 SW - 368.8  GW - 150

    

Lil-Stinker
on 1/6/11 6:41 am, edited 1/6/11 6:42 am


Boy... such a difficult decision... I'm the type of person that spills my guts if the person looks at me like I'm bull****ting lol. I can't tell half truths that well. The thing is, I work closely with a team of about 40 ppl everyday. They will ALL notice and they talk... reading some of your posts makes me feel like maybe I should just tell them... maybe AFTER the surgery.... in the biweekly meeting LOL
Referral sent on 26 Feb 2010 - Sleep Study on 28 May 2010 - Info session at WMC on 14 Jan 11- Appt with the APN (nurse) on 27 Jan 11 - Dietician and Behaviorist appts on Feb 24. WLS Class 6th April 2011 - Surgeon appt 3 May 2011 Dr Yelle - Surgery June 6th          
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