Why not just say you don't want to talk about it?

 I understand.  I'm sorry that people actually asked you if you were on drugs.  Talk about rude!

Lora

They were "concerned" according to them. it offended me, one of the reasons why i figured just telling people full out is Easier. but again i have to make it clear that i am not going to listen to what they think about my choice. because i Have heard the "easy way out" "you didnt try hard enough" crap to much already lol. im sorry if i came off as rude i word things wrong sometimes! :) 

I am one who has kept quiet. My answer when someone asked was "I am working closely with my doctor, a nutritionist, and a personal trainer."

This was enough to convince most that they didn't want any more information and the questions ended there. Now, if I said I was putting HCG under my tongue, they would have been far more interested! And now that my weight has been steady for a few years, there aren't many questions at all.

I respect those who wish to keep their WLS on a need to know basis however it's the best thing that has ever happened to me so far. I'm 1.5 months out and doing so well, I will tell anyone who asks me. Surgery has saved me, and I feel many people ask because they want the same results but when they ask more questions so many go oh no I don't want it that badly. 

To people I don't know well, like a regular customer who asked me about my 2 week absence I just say oh I had a surgery, I'm healthy and doing well. I find that responds useful if someone asks why I was gone. 

 I am a school nurse at an elementary school.  If a child asks me.... I will not elaborate about surgery. 
My very mature 8 year old knows why I had surgery and what kind.  My 5 & 6 yr olds understand things differently.  I told them that I had an operation inside my tummy, because something wasn't working right.  When they are older, I will elaborate... but not until I know they can wrap their brain around it.  

If an adult ask, then it depends on how well I know them.  I have not openly told anyone at work that I was going to have surgery over summer.  At some point, I am sure someone will ask.  Will I tell them that it's just diet and exercise..no!  I may say that I am following a program with my doctor.  If I know the person well, and feel comfortable, I will share with them that I had WLS.  And, if I know the person is asking just because they're really nosy (someone I don't know that well), then I might answer their question by asking a personal question about themselves. 

My mother always told me... don't ever ask a woman when the baby is due, unless you actually see a baby coming out of her!  Meaning, don't make assumptions based on what you think might be going on with someone's body... instead, mind your own business!  

When I began losing weight and trying to get approval for WLS, I didn't want to share that I was trying to get approval. For whatever reason, I didn't want to face the failure if I had to report back to people knowing I was trying to get it. So I was losing weight, fairly successfully, and when asked, I told people what I was doing without any lies involved.

Fast forward to 57 pounds later and most of the people I know (teachers) knew I was trying hard, and also that I lost my mum, and that I was having surgery to fix my GERD. My laryngitis was (and sadly still is) legend among the teachers. After five minutes of silence my voice is gone, and everyone knew it was a serious issue.

With my dreadful loss of my mum, my efforts at weight loss even before RNY, and then my "GERD" surgery that, as I mentioned, kept me on liquids for three weeks, and soft foods for 5 weeks, I wasn't questioned.

When I came back from summer vacation I'd purchased/been given clothing that fitted me. Nobody noticed  that I was more than 70 pounds down from my surgery date. I carried my weight well, and have a big personality. So after a two-month break, a LOT of teachers have made changes, look polished, hair cut or grown longer. Everyone compliments everyone else and comments on those changes, but it's typical for everyone to change in the break.

Most of those who have known me haven't asked, and those who did ask, asked before my surgery.

I've never lied, but I have sidestepped the issue once or twice. When my students and I chat about good nutrition, I focus on the elements of good nutrition that will serve the needs of these young folk more than the long-term WLS. When WLS is brought up (not in a question TO me) I tend to mention that I go to an online support group for people who have approached their weight loss a variety of ways, including surgical. When someone says one of the typical negative responses about WLS I defend it and share what I know.

I think the fact that I got to goal 37 months from the beginning of my journey made a difference to the way people spoke with me. I never lost enough suddenly to have poeple ask.

I was very quiet at first, and I still only tell those who I feel should know. As for others, I simply say I'm undergoing some big life changes and it stays at that.

I'm down 72 pounds now, and it is hard to hide I've had a substantial loss. I'm also quickly losing any worry that someone might judge me for this surgery. It is their personal problem if they feel that way, and I don't need that negativity in my life. I was the world's doormat for far too long, and that time is over.

I had the same thoughts, Kelly, and that's why I decided to tell people.  I am a very private person, and would have preferred to keep it to myself, but I hate telling an obese person that I did this with diet and exercise - or telling a thin person who might think that other obese people ought to just go on a diet.  I tell them I had gastric bypass, but I also tell them that I am eating right and exercising, and that I will need to work hard to keep it off. 

I wish I had thought of some of the suggestions on this thread.  "I am working closely with my doctor," with a sincere smile so they don't think it's cancer, and then a change of subject.  I like that.

When I first started my new job they welcomed me with a burrito luncheon. One of the girls had very little on her plate and when a co-worker asked her if that was all she was having she replied "I was fat in school and I refuse to ever be fat again". She was sitting right next to me. As I am getting ready to receive my surgery date, I have no wishes to share my decision with people at work. working closely with my doctor and a nutritionist sounds like a great explaination.

I don't tell people about my WLS unless I am very close to them. I also wouldn't tell anyone else about any personal medical issues of mine unless I was very close to them.  I feel that it's my choice as it's my body to not be a  walking bill board for my medical issues.

I generally say "I have made changes in my life" which is true. I was making them before WLS and continue to make them after.

Saying "I don't want to talk about it" will also lead people into making some drastic conclusions.