How should I handle this?

I need your opinions......My mom called me this morning and told me that my favorite aunts from Canada are coming down to visit this weekend.  The family and I always go down when they visit to say hi and spend the evening listening to music  (my dad and uncle play guitar, violin, banjo, mandolin, etc....it's a good old French Reveilee...it's an awesome French family tradition! and even the kids love it and join right in!!)  Thing is, I haven't seen these aunts since last summer when they were down to visit and mom hasn't told them about my surgery. (She hasn't even told 1 of my aunts who lives locally because, well, she's a busybody....I love her, but she can be,....well, you know)  So, since they all speak French.....so do I(some), do I tell them about surgery if they ask or just tell them I've been working hard??  They've known me all my life...DUH....and they know I've always been the heavy one of the family!  It's gonna be so hard to explain the surgery to them..in French, but yet I don't want them to think that I am not doing this and being healthy too.   I'm gonna ask my mom what she thinks too (my cell phone lost signal as we were talking so I didn't get to ask her).  Thanks for your suggestions!! FYI:  I'm starting to feel better...the dizzyness is almost gone unless I get up too quickly.  The cough is still here and irritating and stopping me from sleeping, but I THINK it's getting better!  My boss has been great and letting me come home early yesterday and today.  I slept for 2 1/2 hours yesterday afternoon...I think that was the turning point!      Ruth

Glad you are feeling better first off. About your aunts I am thinking just go with the flow if there comes a time where you feel you want to tell them go for it. You could tell them that cause of health issues you had surgery and it has even helped you with your weight loss??

Ruth, knowing my own french family I would leave it at that you've been working hard to lose the weight.  It's the truth and you really don't have to tell people about the surgery.  I feel when the time comes that I have to confront this issue I'm going to be as vague as possible.  It's personal after all.  My opinion...  Good luck....Also  I've noticed that you are getting close to reaching the century mark from your highest weight!!!!!!!  Are you psyched or what!!!!!

Thanks Kathy and Keela!  I know how those French people are and once they see how much I've lost, they are gonna freak and think I'm sick. So, I just need to have SOME type of explanation for them.  We'll see how it goes! And, yeah, Keela, I'm getting psyched!  It just hit me really hard a day or two ago that I might ACTUALLY lose 100 pounds!  It's amazing!  I think I'm still in shock and will be until wwwwaaaaayyyyy after I get there!  Just for comparisons:  I now weigh less than my daughter (not a good thing, and she's starting to realize that something is wrong with this picture!), I weigh less than my DH (although he's got 5-6 inches of height on me) and I haven't weighed this low since....uhhmmm.....6th  grade or so??!!??!!  I bought two pairs of pants at Steve and Barry's (my new favorite store), size 14!  And they fit!!  I haven't fit into 14's since,  uuhhhh, 4th grade, maybe?   Everyone here is such an inspiration and doing so well!!  Thanks to everyone for ALL the support!  It's awesome!  hugs and honks, Ruth

Ruth,    I can identify with where you're coming from......believe me! I too come from a French family background and, on top of that, having been in the public eye as a singer since early childhood, many people here in Lewiston, know me. Very few people knew of my even contemplating having the surgery (reaction was mixed even with those few). Now that I've lost all the weight I have lost, many are complimenting me and most do not go any further. IF they do (saying for example..."hopefully you aren't ill." ) I just say,  "No, thankfully I'm Not ill...rather I'm healthier then I've been in years. I just finally decided to get a good hold on my health!" They seem quite satisfied with that. If I am pressed, however, I'll mention the surgery and what a godsend it's been.    It seems like your mom is good at keeping the information to herself. Just make sure that she does not say anything to those coming from Canada and let it ride itself out. If and/or when they say something......you decide just how much or how little you want to say. It IS a personal choice (whether or not to have the surgery) and you know your family as to how they'd react. Give them only what you feel comfortable with.     That's my opinion......................................   Keep us posted. Anne

Ruth, funny you should ask, just last summer my mother in law had a family reunion in Canada with her sisters they are VERY FRENCH . As we were staying at one of the sister's house she was preparing all the meals I had to tell her that I could not eat all what she was making They all wanted to know why so I told them They did not know too much about Lap Band but did know what RNY was I showed them a card that I carry with me for emergencies to show that I have Lap Band and they were very understanding. I bet your Aunts will be too. Give them a chance I'm sure they have heard of the operation out where they live too. I had to explain it in english I do not speak french very well, my mother in law helped with some of the words. I am happy to hear you are feeling better.   ~~~~~ Linda

I would just go with my gut in the moment, but perhaps plan on saying something like "I am on a new doctor supervised weight loss regimen and it's working!" That may be enough and it is perfectly truthful! Good luck Ruth, and have a blast!

Thank you all for your ideas and suggestions...I'll see what happens! I gotta figure out what the French word for diet is!   (DH told me to make sure I wear something that shows off the "new bod"!  haha   He's driving me nutty...keeps calling me "skinny"!  Told him I've still got a loooooonnnnnggg way to go before that happens!  haha)   Thanks again!!!!!! 

hey, RUth, the sox won, so blahhhh blahhhh !!! hehe, as for the matants, I say, ditto what everyone said, you know them, you know how they will react.  go with the flow.... I still havn't told alot of my DH family, but I'm not noticable like you are.  but I might be different, cause I don't give a crap, If they can't ask me, how I am, when I"ve been sick, or in hosp, and they know it, then screw them (MY family i;'m talking about) why would they care if I had WLS.  only to ***** about something, or jealous.  there is one thing I HATE, is trying to explain something to someone and you can almost see their eyes rolling. eeeeeeeeeeeeee  well, good luck toots,  we agree with your decision and think you are doing "AWESOME"  so we are all that matters. hehe   hugs and honks, cheryl

Thanks Girlios!!!  It'll be fine...I am excited for their visit actually!  And YEAH...I know RED SOX WON!!!!!  I looked for you on tv but never saw you...     Hope you had fun!  Ruth