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

No-one at work knows that I've had WLS: not out of shame but because I like to keep my personal life and work life separate. The only people that know I've had the surgery is wife, in-laws (in UK), best friend and my pastor (for prayer). Oh, and my wonderful angel.

When I went for the surgery it was to "remove something from my digestive system." (eg. most of my stomach). After that I followed a sensible lifestyle plan (1200 calories per day, exercise, etc). Part of the eating plan is limiting carbs to bare essentials. When it comes to drinking with meals I explain that it's part of the plan.

Not of the above is a lie. It's all truthful statements to appease their curiosity.

I'm waiting one day for someone to join the dots and deduce that I had WLS. If (or when) that happens I'll have to decide to share my knowledge but pledge confidentiality or just plain lie: "I don't know what you mean."

I started off telling very few people. Now that I've lost 114 lbs in less than 7 months it's kind of surprising to people. I am now comfortable talking about it with just about everyone. I think it's whatever you want to do and it might change over time.

i would never try and keep it a secret, even in interviews i have told them up front.. As a DS'er i needed a little more flexability when it came to bathroom breaks and stuff like that.. I always had snacks by me at all times.. I'm not sure what type of settling you work in.. but when you need bathroom breaks every 15 mins sometimes.. people start to wonder!! lol

As already said here, telling or not is a personal choice.  I'm still pre-op, but I have been very open about my intentions to have surgery and all of my co-workers know and are supportive.  As a side benefit, a few people have asked me for more information either for themselves or family members.  Thanks to this site, I have been able to answer a lot of questions!  If I had known somebody five years ago who had gone through this, maybe I would have made the decision to chang my life earlier, so I am happy to be open about the path I am on.

I don't feel guilty at all, it's no one else's business.
Good luck!

If you work closely with those 40 people then you know they will be talking about you once you do start losing weight.  You can use the old I'm eating smaller portions, healthier choices and exercising more or you can just be honest with them.  It's no secret to our co-workers that we are overweight and have probably seen us on a million diets.  I hate gossip and decided to just set the record straight before they came up with their own stories of why I was losing weight.  It's none of their business but I despise gossip more than I care if they know.   Weigh the pros and cons of telling people and decide what will work best for you.

After reading all of your experiences, maybe telling my team is the right things to do. We are a pretty close team andget along really well. I despise gossip too and I guess if I didnt tell them, theywould all come to their own conclusions, like cancer or other illness. I don't want them to think I'm sick.. I will be proud of my getting healthy!!!! The more I thinkabout it the more it makes sense to tell them. It's not like Ihave any false pride left - and I always feel better not keeping secrets...

I told my team at work - that i'd worked with my family doc, social worker, internist, nutritionist, phsych, surgeon blah blah blah and that I was having this surgery and i wanted their support. I flat out said _ looking for your support. They've been great. Basically saying i did the research and working with all those professionals made it clear this was a done deal.. and other than support not up for discussion.

To everyone else at work (i was off for a month and its obvious i'm losing weight) - I'm open I had gastro surgery, that I'm not able to eat a lot without my system betting upset and "delicate" and that I can't eat large portions "but i eat all the time" and that i work with a nutritionist to ensure my nutritional needs are being me and "its all good".  They don't get more details than that. They may have guessed more or the gossip mill has told them more. I haven't worried about it.  Everyone seems good with that.

None of its a lie, it just doesn't go into details on all of it.

 I was very open about it.....

Most of my staff have been with me for a while, and have seen my weight go down a bit then back up several times, and when the boss goes in for surgery, they are all quite curious to know what is going on.  I let them all know I was having it about a month prior, and have had tremendous support all the way through the journey.  

I don't think it is anything that you should need to hide.  I was very proud of the decision to take control of my weight problem, and knew that the better the support network was, the better I would do.  

I also have no idea how I would have ever explained the weight loss.  I'm down just over 190# now and below my goal weight in 11 months.  Without the knowledge of what was going on, I am sure they would have thought there was something wrong, and I would rather be upfront with them then let them think the worst......

Everyone's journey is very different though, and I wish you all the luck and good karma for your upcoming journey

You guys have a similar work situation as me. Thanks for your input.. I really do think I will tell them all - maybe just after surgery.. or just before.. ya maybe just before.