Just ranting

[Bellagirl]

I got the Lap Band 12-22-2009 and lost a lot of weight. Unfortunately the band slipped and I had an esophageal dilitation, so the band was deemed no longer effective. Through no ones fault by my own, I gained almost all my weight I lost by eating poorly and lack of exercise. My BMI is 37 but I qualify for WLS with other comorbidities. I can’t believe the number of people, even medical personnel, who say to me “you’re not fat enough for WLS.” Yes, the F word is used. My daughter calls it fat-shaming and it gets her so mad. But tell me, at what point is someone fat enough for surgery? Is it my right to pursue surgery based on the medical advice of a reputable surgeon to change my life? Why do I have to justify my decision to each person I come in contact with? I just had an echo and stress test done because there was concern on a recent EKG. The cardiologist asked me why I could not just diet as I’m “not too big yet.” WHAT??? I’ve decided to stop telling people what I’m doing and when I start to lose weight I’ll just smile and thank them and if they ask how I did it, I will just have to come up with a snappy answer.

[Laurallynn]

I totally understand. I choose not to tell certain people because I know they would not have been supportive. You need to surround yourself with people who are behind you and your decision. Ignore the outside chatter and listen to your doctor and keep it positive.

[sraebaer]

That's why my best advice is to tell as few people as possible. They always come back with stupid opinions. Only someone who has been in our shoes can totally understand. I told my husband, adult children, and mom. Then I blabbed to my 2 best friends, and one of them obviously told everyone. So disappointing.

Just tell people you are dieting and exercising. Or you are following a doctor's diet. Anything but the truth, sorry to say.

[KiwiGal]

Yep, only told a select (very select!) few people about my surgery. I'm a bit more relaxed about it now but there are some people that I will never tell!

[Dutchie]

Same here.
You have absolutely no obligation to tell anyone.
And if you are like me, you have probably been dieting all your life and people have seen you loose weight all the time.
So they will just think you are on one of your diets.
When they don't see you regaining, that is when the questions will start... lol

[CMHG]

I have only told my huaband about my decision to get surgery. He on the other hand has told afew people at work. He told me that and I was pissed. But whats donw is done. I wouldn't tell anyone of I were you. But I dont have a lot of friends anyways, so other than family or co-workers I have no one to tell. I dont live close to family, so why bother telling them. And its none of my coworkers business.