When & How are you telling people?

Who have you told so far about your upcoming surgery? How are you telling them? I've told more people than I started out wanting to just as I got comfortable with the idea. Obviously my husband, my parents, and my BF were the first to know. And a few close friends at work know. All are fairly supportive as they've known me to struggle with weight since I was in 5th grade. The only response I get is either fear of the surgery itself or how life will be afterwards...like it affects them. HA! I figure the rest of the world will know or figure it out as the pounds start shedding. But do you tell ppl you've had surgery or just that you are eating right and exercising- leaving the WLS part out? I'm not ashamed of it persay, but on some level I feel like people will look at me and think it was a harsh, permanent, risky, cheating kind of move. However, I am the only one that has to live with it. And I've thought about this for over a year and worked another 9-months towards this goal...ain't no stopping me now. The only thing I "fear" is eating food...any kinda food I want...any amount I want be it small or large. However, THAT is the kind of thinking that lead to my current position, so...

I haven't told many people, my husband and kids of course but only one person at work and a couple of friends one of whom has had lap band. I will tell people after the surgery. My husband told his mother who thinks I'm going to die and I don't want to hear any negative thoughts. I have been looking into this for years and I know how drastically my life will change. Its funny how some people see only how it may change your relationship with them. Oh well ! Some people just don't need to know my personal medical business but I'm sure they will figure it out. I also don't want certain people to worry themselves so after I'm done I will tell them.

Unfortunatly for me I told my family. I wasnt going to tell my friends or co-workers, but Im glad I told them. They are the most supportive. I mean I get the occasional, "are you sure?" but pretty much they have been supportive. Now my family, I swear I wonder sometimes if they really are my family, is another story. They all believe that I am taking the easy way out and believe if I just stopped eating I could lose the weight. RIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTT!!!! Hasnt worked yet guys. So if you havent told anyone yet, please make sure to really give it some thought, because you cannot take it back once its out there.

I've only told a few people, including two who have had WLS. I haven't told anyone at work, I guess they'll figure it out once I start losing weight quickly and after taking off a week from work. I laughed at my sis' response, "Why don't you just try LA Weightloss again? You did well on that plan." Yeah, so well that they went out of business! I'm sure once reality hits me after the surgery, I'll be very open and honest about it, but I still don't want to jinx things and talk too much about it until the day comes.

I told my close friends and one coworker whom I also consider a friend. Of course my husband, and some of my in-laws, which I kinda wish I didn't. After I told I felt somewhat judged but oh well. I didn't tell my boss, I just asked for 2 weeks of vacation time. I just don't want to be the topic of peoples conversation. Plus as an overweight person I already feel like people at work want to observe what I'm eating for lunch and I hate that. We have some really obsessive people. I've already decided and it's not their life anyway. I can't wait!!!!

I've been thinking about that very thing alot lately. Who and when to tell. I finally told a good friend today and I think I am getting more comfortable with the idea. I go to school with several very young, fit women who have no idea what I go through and I'd rather not have the judgement or gossip. I have only told a few members of my family. Maybe I'll get more comfortable as it gets closer to May. I think when all is said and done, we have to make the right choices for ourselves, despite what ANYONE thinks. I think for alot of us, it is a very hard thing to stand up and do something for ourselves, but we wouldn't think twice of standing up for someone else. I am working on changing that behavior. I will try to treat myself at least as good as I treat my friends. Karin

I am pretty much an open book so I have told my entire family and all of my coworkers and friends. I live in a small town and I am in the legal community and a bunch of the courthouse staff have had the surgery so they all know because I have talked to them about their experiences, so basically my whole small legal community knows. Same goes for the waitresses at my favorite restaurants in town, they all knew my orders by heart and as I have given up diet soda and altered my diet in preparation for surgery, so I've explained why. I figure I am completely comfortable with my decision to have this surgery and I don't really care what other people think about my decision. It's not going to change the fact that I am doing what is right for me and their approval/disapproval does not matter one bit. And as a bonus, I have had several people ask me about the surgery and have been able to provide some education to them about the surgery. Just my two cents.

HI. I am telling EVERYONE. I started the process a year and a half ago and chickened out. I figure if I tell so many people I will have to go through with it. LOL. I have had only one "are your sure" response. Everyone else has been soooo supportive. Kristin

I'm pretty much keeping to myself on the whole thing. Of course my family and my girlfriend know, but only about 2 people at work know anything about it. I only have a few people at work that I would really consider close, and the rest of them can just wonder I guess...LOL. It WILL be a suprise for most of the ones that I do consider close since I have taken a 3rd shift job until mid-July and haven't seen most of them since January. With surgery on 5/5, I'm guessing some of them will see a different me when I go back to day shift in July.