So I'm going into the unknown....

This is something I have been thinking about and thought I would put it on a separate thread because it will be too long to include on the Daily Roll Call. 

So as you all know I will start a new job on Aug 15th.  I am just thinking and wondering how people there would act if they knew I had WLS.  I know I can wait and see and decide to tell them...but the one thing I really like about where I work now is that aside from a few stupid comments,  people here are very supportive.  They have known me for 9 years.  They saw me struggle with my weight for years.  They were genuinely happy to see me get WLS.  My close co-workers and friends know about the surgery and know it's not a magic wand granting me a skinny body.  I like the environment here.  I like that people here are educated and understand that I have gone through years of dieting before giving into getting surgery.  I like that I don't have to hide anything and I can talk freely and openly.  I like that...I am like that naturally so hiding things from people will be a burden.   

I am hoping that this new place will be like that too...eventually.  I guess they will have to take my word that I tried and failed at every diet because they only know me now.  I guess I am coming from a very comfortable situation into the unknown and I am just wondering how any of you dealt with the same situation?  Do you have any good stories or bad stories to share?  Any advice? 

 Hi Crystal, I would wait for sometime before you tell people at your new job. I would be friends
with them first then you can tell them.

your friend, Steven

 Crystal,

I would play it by ear.  I am like you, very open.  I would probably end up sharing at some point that I had weight loss surgery.  Expecially if you start getting comments on not eating the treats, exercising so much etc.  I find it too difficult to not be open about things like that in my life.  

However, you are in an envious position that no one has to know that you have not always been thin.  For me though, I need the support to keep myself in line and when others know I have had surgery, I behave better and am less tempted to cheat.  Each of us is different.  

How do you like that non answer?   

Crystal. It is up to you if you want to tell anyone. You decide when the time is right. Who knows, others may have had it too. I am very opened about it. Of course, I have been at the same job for 20 years, so my life is an open book.

Here again, you have the opportunity to educate someone.

LISA

I kept my WLS under my hat pre and PO for approximately 6-8 months. I came out of the closet with it when I could not explain away the WL anymore. I have for the most part been really open about it but there are times that I keep it to myself. I pick and choose who and when I talk about it.

I think for the most part you would not be wrong in keeping it to yourself for a short while until you can see what the office politics will be like at your new job. You are a good judge of character and should be able to see if and when you want to disclose the info about your band.

Chris

ps - Aug 15th was the day that I got engaged to Dave! My life with him has been fantastic - so hopefully that will be a great date for you . . .

I can't really add anything, but I wanted to let you know that I support you and am very proud of how far you have come.

Again.......it may not even be an issue.  They may just respect that you eat right and exercise.

I started a new job back in February. No one here knew I was ever heavy. In fact, one of them apparently joked that I was  "skinny *****" when they spotted me in the waiting room, waiting for my first meeting with HR.

I toyed with keeping my DS a secret, to pretend I was always thinner, but I decided to tell people as it came up organically. Four of us eat lunch together (in fact, we all make a meal each day for the others so we save money and do not need to pack lunch every day) and since I have the DS, I eat without regard to fat and such. I have to take their preferences into account, so I figured I would just be honest with them. They were super-cool about it.

I have even told people about my plastics.

Others here have heard me matter-of-factly tell my story and for all I know, the whole company knows via the gossip hotline. I honestly could care less. I did what I did to save my life. No one would question if I opted for chemo to save my life from cancer, so why should WLS be any different? It is my heartfelt stance and I mean it when I say it--I got the DS to save my life. No one questions it. No one publicly says a word about me "taking the easy way out," etc. I don't think they'd like what I would say next if they did! LOL.

I have to say, it irks me when some people hurriedly (and a little dismissively) say "oh, I know someone who had that!" and they lump all WLS together. I can say with amost 100% certainty that they do NOT know someone with the DS because it is more rare. I then get on my teacher face and give them my 2-minute spiel on the variety of available WLS and what the DS is, specifically. It is sort of fun. The kinds of questions they have are very interesting. They all end up wanting the DS, even if they are of a normal body weight!

Honestly, if anyone would judge me harshly for my WLS, then I don't want to know them. Earning their regard means nothing to me. Those pea-brains are too low on the food chain to worry about.

It sounds like you feel some shame about your choice. I wish you wouldn't feel that way. You did the brave thing--you took steps to save your life. Don't kid yourself--at your weight, you were on a downward slide into health issues and early death. Aw hell, you even diet and exercise, which is more than I do! You should definitely be proud of your efforts. I am proud of you.

Nicolle