Feel like a liar

Personally, if you don't want to tell them the truth, I would just say "I prefer not to talk about it."  I think it is deceptive to tell only half the truth.  Of course, you are not obligated to be completely honest with everyone.  But if you feel uncomfortable not being honest, I would consider either being truthful or just saying "I don't want to talk about it."

I do think it's rather unfair to allow them to believe that they can just go buy whatever protein supplements you are using and expect the same results. 

I think you are lying by omission and I think that just serves to reinforce the stigma that surrounds WLS.  (I think if you don't want to tell a person you should say "I'd rather not talk about it.")

But it's your life. So do what you want!

Amy,

As you can see from all the responses, this is a topic many people feel strongly about. The way you described your work situation, it doesn't seem like a good place to "open up" to all. Only you know the right thing for you to do.

It's great to post things as they come up and get feedback, but don't discount your "little voice"!

Good Luck!

Amy, I love this comment! 

Atlanta_fitever, that was meant for you lol  love your comment! 

I appreciate all the feedback.  I didn't realize this was such a touchy subject!

I just want to add again that I'm not implying that people can just eat the way I eat and buy the same protein supplements as me and then have the same results as me.  I would never intentionally give anyone false hope.  I'm sure eventually I'll open up more to people about my surgery but it just doesn't feel right right now.

Thanks to everyone for your support and advice.

None of their damn business. If you had an abortion or a hyseterectomy do they need to know that too? It's you own private medical business. Not everyone wants to or need to lve outt loud aka Kardashians.

Marley M, I'm in agreement with your words 100%!!!

I have to agree with others that it would be better to tell people it's a private matter or that it's your little secret if you don't want to be totally open about the surgery.

Telling people you've lost the weight with just diet and exercise runs the risk of furthering the myth that obese people just lack discipline and we could easily lose the weight on our own if we were just less lazy and gluttonous.  It can really hurt obese individuals who internalize this message and will wonder yet again what is wrong with them that they can't lose their weight with just diet and exercise, even though every bit of society seems to be telling them they should.

I think we pretty much all wish that we could have been successful without needing the surgery, and so I fully understand the urge to tell people that we did this the way we wish we could have done it.  It's a self protective instinct.  

It's not your responsibility to fight anyone else's battles.  You bear no responsibility for the rest of the obese people in the world, and so you have every right to tell people whatever you want to say about your own weight loss journey.  Just be mindful that the things you say can have a huge impact, whether beneficial or detrimental, on those around you, and make sure you are comfortable with what that impact will be.

I already regret telling people. It's not their business. You are telling them the truth, just not the whole truth.