THE ONLY PERSON WHO KNOWS I HAD THIS SURGERY  IS MY HUSBAND AND DOC AS WELL. I KNOW WHAT THE FAMILY WILL SAY, YOUR TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT, IF YOU JUST DIET AND EXCERCISE  YOU WONT NEED TO HAVE THE SURGERY .  FEEL FREE TO TO "TALK" TO ME. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO NOW   IS  PRETEND TO BE DIETING THATS WHAT I DID . I TOLD PEOPLE I WAS TRYING TO DIET AND I WAS STOPPING ALL SUGAR AND ANY THING WHITE LIKE RICE BREAD OR PASTA . MY FAMILY JUST FIGURED OUT  I WAS "SERIOUS" THIS TIME.  WHEN I HAD THE SURGERY WE TOLD PEOPLE I HAD HERNIA SURGERY WHICH WASN'T A LIE AS MY DOC DID REPAIR 2 HERNIAS.   MY HUSBAND KNOWS WHEN I AM JUST PICKING AND HE JUST TAKES THE PLATE AWAY.  HE ALSO KNOWS HOW MUCH FOOD SHOULD BE ON MY PLATE THE ONLY PROBLEM IS MY HUSBANDS JOB IS SUCH THAT HE IS NOT HOME FROM 9;20 TO ABOUT 8:30 - MIDNIGHT,.   SO I AM ALONE FOR THE MOST PART EVERYDAY!!! WHICH MAKES STAYING ON THE "DIET" DIFFICULT I HAVE LOSS 80 POUNDS BUT I HAVE 50 MORE TO GO.   I AM SLACKING RIGHT NOW. I NEED TO GET BACK ON THE WAGON...     LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP. KATHY

I told everyone.  I needed help and wasn't afraid to admit it.  I had health issues that needed attention.  Most of my health problems that I had are better now.  Sleep apnea and borderline diabetic issues are now almost gone.  (also had high cholesterol and was on meds for that : now gone)  That scared me, because of heart disease is a major problem in my family.  I have lost over 130 Lbs.  I am still big, I am only 5 foot 1 and I still weigh over 200.  So I still have a long way to go.  I don't like asking people to keep secrets and just felt better being honest about it.  I haven't had any negative comments yet (except one from a relative that I never communicate with anyway) I don't care what that person thinks anyway.  LOL   I did what was right for me.  YOU DO WHATS RIGHT FOR YOU.  Some people live around people that are negative and it may just be easier to keep it a secret.  Good luck on your journey.  Hope you come to the meet and greet today.  Barb

I have no shame in what I did, but I only told close friends and family after I got my surgery date.  Then I told key people at work whom I could trust.  I had my surgery last November and just this month I have started telling anyone who asks how I lost the weight.  I'm more confident in myself now so that's part of it I think.  So now if I hear any negative comments, it doesn't bother me because I know that I have worked hard to get where I am.  Surgery was only a tool to help me get where I am.  I still have to count calories, watch what I eat, and exercise regularly to get the results.  Now people are telling me to stop.  I can't yet, I'm still overweight but only by 12 pounds.  That will put me in the high bracket of "normal" bmi.  I have never been normal in my life!  I can't wait!

The only peoples I have discussed WLS with are my doc and husband......guess I have to include all who are reading this!  In my lifetime I have lost a ton and gained that ton back with interest.  I've made the decision that this is the path I need to follow now.......don't need to hear negative nellies....I've dealt with them in the past.  Perhaps once I am actually on my way and not just waiting for the call I will feel differently?   What do/did you all decide?

Hi Sondra,

Hang in there... Hope you get your appointment soon and the docs will be able to help you. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Mike