Question:
How did you respond to questions about your weight loss ?
For those of you that work in the medical field (more specifically RN's) how did you respond to questions about your weight loss? — wimzy (posted on January 14, 2003)
January 14, 2003
I'm not in the medical field but what I've told people is that I decided it
was time to take of myself both physically and emotionally. That seems to
be the most accepted answer I've given and people don't pry any further.
They just tell me what a great job I'm doing at it. LOL Good luck to you in
your journey!
— Click
January 14, 2003
I am a private person and don't like to share my story if I'm not
completely comfortable. So when people ask how I'm losing weight and I
don't want to talk about the surgery, I tell them the "indirect"
truth: I'm eating less and exercising more. Simple as that.
— Jane D.
January 14, 2003
I am an RN and am 34 months post-op lap RNY. I am generally a fairly
private person and made a choice initially to tell my immediate family and
only two very close friends in my workplace. People who have known me for
years have seen me yo-yo up and down with my weight....losing
"hundreds" of pounds in my lifetime....only to be unsuccessful
with each attempt. Back in 2000, there were fewer WLS patients and much
less publicity about the surgery. I wasn't even sure that I could
"trust" the surgery to do what I needed it to do...and I
certainly didn't need this to be another public failure. So, when people
began to notice and ask, I gave the same answer as Sharon..."it's just
time that I begin to really take care of myself...I'm eating mostly
protein, drinking lots of water and exercising regularly". My friends
and co-workers accepted that completely and were very supportive. I have
lost a total of 150 lbs. and have since had a tummy tuck and armlift. Over
the past two years, many co-workers who are also obese have come to me with
the same desperation that I experienced for decades after losing the
weight-loss battle repeatedly. I always told those people the truth about
my surgery and offered them the research material that I have accumulated
on this journey. Now, more and more people are aware that I have had WLS,
and I don't mind them knowing at this point. Folks have seen the surgery
work for me, have seen the weight stay off, and more importantly, I have
come to trust the surgery and my ability to "stick to the rules"
and keep the weight off. Some patients publicize their surgery right away
to anyone who will listen....some will handle it my way....and some will
never ever tell a soul. You'll find what is most comfortable for you.
There are no right or wrongs here. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
January 14, 2003
Hi all, I too am an RN, and I work in a cardiology office taking care of
pacemaker and defibrillator patients. To my work group, I just shared
everything from the start, coz you know how medical people are, they want
to know, then they pretty much forget about it....we have this curiosity
about us LOL. I am also a private person, so this was kinda hard on me to
share all this private stuff, but it was way easier than trying to hide the
fact I was gonna be off for a month after surgery. Everyone is quite
supportive, and I get compliments all the time. Yesterday was my 9 month
surgeon visit (really a nurse practitioner visit) and I have officially
lost 115 lbs in 9 months (surgery date 4/9/02, from 370 to 255 now)and I
look and feel really good!!! As for my patients, I tell them too that I
have been eating right and exercising, etc, if they are someone I really
know well, I will tell them I had the surgery. I also am an unofficial
ambassador in my office for the surgery for patients who are coming here
for pre-op cardiology clearance. I am at least some visible sight to show
them that they won't die (most likely) and that it IS possible to lose the
weight. Love to all, Nancy
— Nancy D.
January 14, 2003
I have been fairly open with my surgery since I've had it. At first I told
everyone that I was having gallbladder suregery, but realized I was having
eye contact problems because of my lie. I hate dishonest people (liars).
Yesterday I was talking to a woman I had not seen in a while. She was
talking and about 15 minutes she said, "you have lost (paused, looke
me up and down) of weight". I said yes I have and tried to leave it
at that. I think since she is overweight herself, she was just too curious
to let it go so I told her about my surgery. She seemed okay with it and I
was not uncomfortable telling her about it. We are all different in how we
feel about this surgery. I wish I could've buckled down to 800 calories
and did this without surgery, but the fact is I could not. I cannot be
ashamed of my decision now that I've made it.
— Julie O.
January 14, 2003
Julie,
In the beginning I was totally honest and open with every one that asked,
how I was loosing weight so fast I wasn't shy at all and was glad to help
in any way I could, I've since cut back on my talking about WLS at work,
seeming I've started a forrest fire at work, (allot of people having WLS at
my job and I was the 1st) so I at this point try to shy away from talking
about the subject at the work place, Our company has begun laying people
off and I would hate for them to target the larger people, seeing that the
company would have to shell out for the WLS and the paid time off. We're on
#3 of WLS people here and more to come...
— tannedtigress
January 14, 2003
Hi. I'm not in the medical field but I encounter many individuals that are
in that field as well as law enforcement. When people ask how I lost the
weight, I say that I had gastric bypass surgery, then I briefly explain how
challenging it is to qualify and follow through with the process! I have
found that by adding this little bit of info I bypass the stupid remarks!
I got so tired of people only noticing my weightloss that I went from
longish blonde hair to very short, funky, dark brown hair!!!!! Now they
notice the hair!
— jenn2002
January 14, 2003
I tell everyone who has wanted to know. I had wls. I am proud of the fact
that I had it done. I honestly think it was the best thing I have ever done
for myself. I haven't had any bad remarks, a lot of people are kind of
jealous. Surgery is a big step and it takes a lot of 'guts' to have it
done. There is no way I am going to be ashamed of making life better for
myself in any way I can. I know some people choose not to tell anyone and I
think that is fine to. You have to do what works for you but believe me,
every time you see an old friend they are going to ask about your weight
loss!! Best of luck to you..
— Sharon1964
January 15, 2003
Hi.. I am 9 months post op and down 101# and feeling super. I have never
hidden the fact that I've had this surgery as it truly has been a life
saver for me. I know how hard I've worked and I know it took courage to
get to this decision amid the many who felt: just eat less, go for a walk
every day, etc. I did all that and I was still m.o. So when someone asks
and occasionally I'll even offer: I've had weight loss surgery. No one has
been negative or been anything but positive at my decision. If they are -
let it be their problem not yours. I've found as others find out, they
seek me out to ask questions which I'm all to happy to answer. My greatest
champions have been my board of directors of my organization (non profit).
They literally cheered me through this, gave me assurances of any time
needed for meetings, dr. visits, testing, etc. and are my champions through
plateaus and saw the loss far before I did. My best to you.
— AJC750
January 15, 2003
I wanted to expand futher on my question. I work in a hospital so I'm
surrounded by other medical staff that has the knowledge to know what is
and isn't possible with... (for example)...having my gallbladder out. When
I come back to work 6 or 8 weeks later and I'm down X amount of pounds
...the people I work with are going to know that's not legitimate.
(hopefully I'm making sense here....lol)
— wimzy
January 15, 2003
I am an educator in the medical field (Radiologic Technology). I, like
you, knew I could not get away with saying GB surgery. So, I made the
decision to tell the truth if someone asked how I did it. I don't lie well
and its not like it was a big secret that I was morbidly obese. I did get
a few negative responses. I figured that anyone that was my real friend
knew why I was doing it. For the most part people have been very
supportive. Also, you know how we medical people are curious. I had to
answer a lot of questions!
— Jennett I.
January 15, 2003
I was open and honest, especially with others who are struggling with
weight issues. Some mildly overweight people (30 or so pounds) have been a
little on the "bitter" side with comments that it is unfair that
I can have surgery & they can't to lose weight. One Dr. I hadn't talked
to walked by me and gave me the strangest look, then went and asked another
nurse if I had lost weight (it was aprox 50 # at the time) and wanted to
make sure I was ok, & didn't have cancer or something. Then he came
back to tell me how fabulous I looked!!! big ego boost!!! Some have
expressed concerns if it is healthy to lose so fast, so I have shared info
about the labs to check nutritional status every 3 months, and that mine
are great and my cholesterol is down , iron , protein, etc are stable. I
feel I am paving the way for others who may have had the same surgery who
come in as our patients, to be treated appropriately, with respect and
dignity and not be flooded with dumb questions. Also, there are several
nurses I work with who are considering surgery after seeing my sucess.
— **willow**
January 15, 2003
My wife Jen a RN is now a local resource. Docs ask her to speak with folks
considering surgery, and post ops too. A ER doc at her hoispital had a
rough time right after surgery and they asked her to talk with him too. Jen
is thrilled with this and wants to become a bariatoic nurse. I suggest she
works hard to loose more weight to make her more saleable in that position.
— bob-haller
January 16, 2003
Bob, I saw Jen's picture on your page and I think she looks great.
Actually, both of you look great!
— ctyst
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