[Bubblyangie]

I told EVERYONE!!!!! I was so excited as I knew my life was going to change for the better and I wanted the world to know!!

[luckylocke]

I decided to tell my family and a few close friends. My friends reminded me I shouldn't feel ashamed of needing to do WLS to get healthy. They were proud of me for taking control of my health. After their "talk" I told anyone who asked EXCEPT work. I am still committed to not telling people at work - it is not a safe place and I don't want ALL the teachers and the entire student body knowing my business.

[Perfesser]

I was 9 months out and starting a new school year by the time I told anyone at work. By then I was at goal and it was too late for horror stories. I've had several folks approach me about it, including a couple of my students who have had it themselves!! Now, it's a non-story, because nothing is changing. (That could change rapidly though if I decided to pork it on again!!)

CT

[TheRainbowsEnd]

Everyone I told that I was having a gastric bypass was very negative. Most of them said why would you do that? You aren't that big to begin with. Or you look just fine. Drove me insane because I had worked so hard to try and lose the first 64 pounds on my own before surgery. But I decided this was a tool to help me lose the rest and to maintain my weight for my lifetime. I am telling people I did have the surgery. What they think is irrelevant..

My husband has been hugely supportive but he is still eating improperly and I am trying to explain to him that I need him to get on the bandwagon and that I will be cooking and portioning meals for both of us. I have explained that I need him to be healthy as well and also that I would appreciate him not sabotaging me by bringing food into the house I cannot have. He has agreed and says he is willing to try so that is a good start...

[Perfesser]

As I am the main cook in our home, I didn't give Peanut a choice. Well, I did actually, sort of. Eat what I cook or make something for yourself! As I progressed and she started to see how sustainable this new lifestyle is, she shed a lot of her earlier objections and got interested in doing it for herself. Monday we're heading up to the doctor's office for her one year appointment.

It may take time for hubby to get on board with it. You aren't back up to a full menu yet yourself. Your example will be a huge factor in bringing him around.

CT

[verycarey]

The first person I told was my boyfriend, who is now my hubby! Then in time I told my kids and extended family and some of my college professors in case I had to miss classes. I was and am pretty open to anyone who asks, but I can understand how some would like to keep it to themselves.

[country_strong]

I wish i would have seen this poll question before I decided to tell ANYONE! My hubby is concerned about risks associated with surgery, but is still supportive, but my daughters are still trying to deter me from going ahead with the wls, by using combinations of a barrage of horror stories, or saying it's the easy way out, so that makes me fat AND lazy,or treating me like a person on the verge of dementia. When that doesn't affect me, they resort to plain old sulking, like when they were teenagers and couldn't get their way. After my surgery date is a sure thing set in stone, then I will tell the rest of my immediate family, because I do not want to feel like I'm lying to them by way of omission of facts.

[Tashabigdog]

I didn't really tell anyone outside of my parents for a while. I had to tell my boss since I was going on medical leave for three weeks. The day before surgery I told a few friends who were stunned, but it was too late to "talk me out of it". I was a bit embarrasssed myself that it had come to this (my only way out was surgery). Now that I am past all of that, I am free talking about it now, but it took me a while. I pretty much tell everyone now since it comes up a lot when eating.

[Awakening_Yolie]

I haven’t had my surgery yet but I’ve only told my best friend and my boyfriend. I want to stay positive and peaceful about this process. Some people mean well, but they say the wrong thing at the wrong time. I think when the weight loss is noticeable, I will begin to tell people in my own way. My battle with weight has been so public. Everyone in my family and everyone at my job has watched me yo-yoing over the years.
WLS is something I’d like to keep private for now.

[hippiechick72]

I have enjoyed reading all of your posts on this poll! I had thought about wls surgery for a long time. Only hubby new. He researched surgeons with me when I told him I was ready. He has been my rock, like always. I told my two teenage children, who admitted they were scared. but my son told me if anyone deserved this, it was me. I still tear up thinking about when he said this to me. My parents were not so on board. They wanted me to lose weight...but they were afraid too. I told a few friends, two were great and motivated me.

Here's the kicker....two people who I thought were my best friends have not talked to me since a week before my surgery. I told them both(they are not overweight btw) and they acted funny. When I asked them why, they said they didn't think it was right, I should just try harder. I thought these gals new me and how hard I had tried. My hubby said some choice words about them and forbid me to talk to them again. they know, (through the grapevine) I survived. But that was heartbreaking. I have moved on and won't be their friend again. I know it is their loss.