Did you tell everyone?

[JSMencer]

I am just wondering if there is anyone on here that chose NOT to tell people they were having surgery. My family knows, two friends know, and one person from work. My wife had RNY and some people knew in PA, but when we moved to Florida she only told one person. My wife also goes to the gym 6 days a week, and busts her tail, so a lot of her friends know she puts a lot of hard work into it.

[jessiejess]

I chose to only tell one person at work. My immediate family and a 3 friends from out of state know, but that's it. I haven't told anyone else. I just don't want to be watched like a bug under a microscope to see how much weight I'm losing or how I eat. Plus, people can be so judgemental. I didn't want to hear any negative comments. I only told people who are super supportive and close to me, and who I trust not to tell anyone else.

[ximmia]

It's an incredibly personal decision and only you can know who to tell. Me, I told everyone, but that's because one of the reasons I've always failed at diets is that I got really self-conscious when people would start to notice that I was losing weight. By telling everyone they all knew I was going to be losing weight and since it's out in the open I don't have to feel self-conscious. That's my experience, but everyone is different. Start to tell slowly. There's no need to tell anyone except your inner circle unless you feel comfortable doing so. Good luck

[Lucy61]

Just my 2 cents - Personally I told and still tell everyone - I want to be an advocate for this life saving journey. Because I have shared my story there are 4 people that have had or in the process of getting the surgery - why because I was open and very honest with them - 2 of those ladies are in their late 60's, two gentlemen in their 50's. It makes me feel incredibly grateful that somebody shared their story with me and that I have been able to be such a positive influence, as one told me - I am his inspiration. There are too many bad stories that spread around when things go wrong, nobody hears about the good ones, I want to change the perspective of the people to know that the surgery is good and saves lives.

[SeasonsChange]

I only told my family and a few close friends as first. As you start to lose weight people will ask you and its up to you if you want to tell them. I tell people that Im watching my weight. I don't need to go into details.

[Joe G.]

I figured the weight would come off fast, so I told a few people. The funny part is, the same people would weren't very supportive of my decision were asking me for my surgeon's contact information after I dropped all the weight.

[toutdesuite]

I'm one of those negative nancy converts! I first learned about the sleeve from a friend who told me she was going to have it done. I envisioned a plastic sleeve-like device placed over the stomach to keep one from stretching out their stomach while eating. Then I ventured onto youtube.com to check it out and was shocked to learn what she was going to have done to her stomach! I even prayed that she wouldn't go through with THAT surgery!

Fast forward 6 months and she was nearly to her goal weight having lost 100+ lbs. Still, I was anti-sleeve. Then I started telling coworkers about it. One was extremely negative about it, but one was on board with the sleeve before I could bat an eye, and she encouraged me to get on board too. But I wasn't ready. In a last ditch effort I made an appointment with a nutritionist (this would later help me with my insurance requirements). Then another coworker who had lost 100+ lbs. confided in me that he had gastric bypass. I started thinking maybe this WLS thing is my last hope. So I made an appointment for a free consultation. Then I chickened out and canceled it. During a discussion with my son about my weight and poor weight-related health, the subject of the sleeve came up. He encouraged me to look into it. Finally, I made another appointment for the free consult. I told myself, you're not committing to anything. You're just going to learn more about the sleeve. Well, I left that appointment feeling good about the surgery and soon after decided to go forward with it. Well, then I got cold feet. I went to my psych eval with cold feet and she had been sleeved and encouraged me to do it too. Once I expressed interest in the sleeve, my friend who had had it started encouraging me. Everyone wanted me to have it but me. And then I found a local renowned bariatric surgeon and hospital and started the process. I should have a surgery date in a couple weeks. Stay tuned...

[Kindle]

...

[65fl]

Before the surgery I told my wife, daughter and 2 of my siblings and 3 friends. I asked all of them to not tell anyone else. My wife was the biggest blabber mouth, she just can't tell a white lie. Her whole side of the family knew and some of her cousins got together and were against this. They told her it would be a huge mistake and she shouldn't let me do it. They started an email and phone campaign trying to convince her in the error of my ways. Thankfully they did not have my contact info so I didn't have to deal with the negativism they were directing my way. I just looked at her and told her this is why I wanted to keep it private.

After the surgery I told anyone who noticed the weight loss and asked how I did it.

[carnation]

I told my husband and my mom.

[MeganES]

It is a deeply personal decision and depends on your own comfort level. When I scheduled the surgery it was a big secret. I told my dad, aunt, cousin, and 3 best friends. By the day of the surgery, I told my favorite coworkers, some extra friends, and a few more extended family members. Now I'm telling anyone who asks or is even remotely interested!! It's been not even 3 weeks since my surgery and I can already feel my life changing. if my cousin hadn't been open in her journey and had chosen to take the route of saying "I dieted and exercised" and that's it, I never would have had the surgery. I personally know that there are people in my life who could use this surgery as the tool they need and I would love to be that medium that brings them to it. That's my own personal journey. It fully depends on what YOU are comfortable with and what YOU feel the people around you should know.

[Monique]

My husband, daughter and BFF know I had the GVS. I also had to have hiatal hernia surgery, which is what everyone else was told.
I figure, it's none of their business and, after I lose it all, if someone asks how, I'll tell them the truth.

[Monique]

My wife was the biggest blabber mouth, she just can't tell a white lie. Her whole side of the family knew and some of her cousins got together and were against this.

Hey, is your wife - my sister? Seriously, you tell her anything, swear her to secrecy and EVERYONE knows before you've hung up the phone!!!

[Forestgalice]

I shared with people, one at a time. now that I'm losing so quickly and word does get around quickly I just am open about it. some people were judgy so I don't really listen to those people. I figure when they see me at a changed weight they will "get it". most people are supportive and even more people always know someone who has done this already

[Barbp]

I have told some family members, my kids of course, one of my sisters and her daughter. I have also told people that I work with. They have helped keep me honest an in check. Everyone of them are very supportive. Once I have the surgery, they all have pledged to help me stay motivated and keep me from eating stuff I am not supposed to. I have a great support team.