[Perfesser]

Early in my pre-op journey, I made a strategic decision to keep this to myself. My wife knew and eventually came around and supported me in this, but she was the only one.

I did this mainly because I didn't want strangers, on hearing about it, telling me of their hairdresser's mailman's second cousin's ex-wife's aunt who had complications from WLS and died a slow and horrible death!!

Some people suspected, but no one asked if I'd had surgery, so I didn't lie. When others would ask me how I was losing all this weight, I'd tell them that after the unexpected gall bladder surgery I'd had at Christmas (twenty minutes before they wheeled me out to the OR, the doc came in and said the gall bladder was full of gravel and had to come out, and since he was in there anyway, would I sign here? That was unexpected as far as I'm concerned) I had changed my eating habits and reduced my portions (all true!) I also told them about chewing extensively to allow the stomach to signal it was full, not drinking with meals, eliminating refined sugars and other techniques we use. I only omitted one little detail!

In July at the family reunion I came out of the closet and told anyone who'd sit still long enough to listen. It was too late by then to scare me. Heck, half of them didn't even recognize me!! When school started this year, I was effectively maintaining where I am now. I was perfectly open and willing to talk about the WLS, and I've had some good conversations with a lot of people. Found out that one of my freshmen has lost 135 so far after his RNY. It's been very liberating to come clean with it, but that is now, and during the transition, I wanted to do it without outside interference.

How did you handle it?

CT

[Imlosinit]

EVERYONE!!!! I've never kept it a secret and when people ask what's going on with me.. how am I doing.. I tell them I'm having GBS. Everyone has been very supportive, at least to my face. Only my sister and MIL said they were concerned but that's as far as they went. I've had total support from everyone that's important.

[Cheryl24]

The only people that know are my husband, kids, & sister (she also had GBS). I have always been very private about my weight. I don't know if anyone suspects. No one has asked. People have told me I look great. Only one person asked if I was doing Weight Watchers. I told her no high protein, low carb. That is the truth.

I don't know if and when I will come clean. At this point I don't plan on it.

[Babs54]

Before I had surgery I told all of my family and some close friends but after surgery if anyone asks me how I lost so much weight I tell them I had GBS.

[SarJen01]

I've been kind of struggling for this. I didn't tell anyone besides my husband early on because I had so many setbacks and delays and for the same reasons Perfesser listed. Once things looked like they were really going to happen I told two friends any my daughter - for support. Once I had a surgery date I told my family. Telling my family had a wonderful side effect - my SIL put me in contact with A New Me and she led me to this wonderful website.

I have also been trying to figure out what I'm going to tell people when they start asking how I'm losing weight. My thought is "eating less and exercising more", which will be true. If someone asks if I had surgery, I think I would tell them, but at this point I'm not offering up the information.

[wannabe skinny]

i told everyone. i have always been pretty open about whatever is going on in my life and for me was the natural thing to do. i was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming support i received from everyone. at my office we have around 25 people and i sent an email around and told people to feel free to ask me any questions that they might have. i preferred people talking to me about it over talking behind my back with questions.

(i waited until everything was approved and i had a surgery date though before telling the majority of people)

[chrissy62902]

My first appointment was in December of 2007. When my family gathered for Christmas that year, I told them that I was giving myself a wonderful present, but I would be until the middle of the following year. When they all asked what it was, I told them about the surgery. It received mixed reviews. My husband, of course, knew because he was at the appointment. But everyone else was surprised, but were supportive. All but one, I should say. But I don't get along with my mother-in-law anyway, lol. But i'll tell anyone who will listen right now, people are always asking how I'm losing so much, i honest and open! have a great day everyone!

[GinaGurl]

i only told my family and as time came closer i told a couple of co workers but i really didn't want toooo many people to know but my husband has told a few people who i wish he didn't cause now with this one person who knows now the whole town will know i am not embarresed by having surgery i just didn't want everyone to know my business

[Queenofthenile]

As you know I asked and told everyone and anyone who would listen. I wanted all information possible from people who have gone through the journey themselves. Yes I heard all the horror stories but I had to separate fact from fiction. Perfesser....It seems like you have been posting questions that directly relate to my experience and my posts. Are you presenting these questions because of that? It just seems too much of coincidence. I am not angry, just curious.

[joy2world]

well my cousin had the surgery first and she told me about it i never heard of roux en y surgery so when she finished telling me i knew then i had to get it done so she new i told my family they all had mixed reviews and a few other people who supported me the whole way i haven't had anyone ask me have i lost weight cause i don't talk to anyone i stay close to my home but when my family finally see me they will be shocked to see me have lost so much weight.they will see me this summer.