What do you tell people when they ask you about your weight loss?

So, losing over 100lbs is obvious weight loss lol!   Many people have approached me wanting to know how I did it, what diet I'm on etc...I live in a small town and strangers have walked up to me to ask the same.  I decided not to advertise my surgery to anyone but close friends and family because I also know that people have their own opinions about wls and I really wasn't interested in justifying or explaining myself to anyone, or dealing with the judgements an opinions post op. I have also found myself being quite offended at the intrusiveness of some questions and the persistence of some people insisting on answers.  So depending on the day, I often say " It's complicated" or that "I don't eat any sweets, or drink alcohol among other things", not lying but also not surrendering all my medical information either.  Just feel that this is such a unique and personal journey that I am not prepared to share with just anyone (self preservation and not wanting anyone to sabotage my efforts).  What are others doing in this particular situation?  If it hasn't happened to you yet it will, and you should probably give some thought to how you will respond to these questions.

Just tell them you are working with your doctor and a dietitian to just eat better.  You are counting calories and watching your intake of sugar, alcohol, fat, etc.  You are moving more, etc.  Just tell them what you are doing without saying you had surgery to help you do it easier is all.

What you're saying I understand.  I was very guarded about who I told, because of judgement and also I did not want to concern people that I care about.  Basically I told them that i had an ulcer that I was on meds to heal and weight loss is just part of not being able to eat anything right now.  It certainly stops people asking about diets and as I was able to eat salads and beef, etc. people said "Oh your ulcer is healing that's great, now don't overdo it".  Recently I was in hospital for something unrelated to WLS.  I had to tell them I had WLS and some nurses were nasty about it, on said loudy with other ward patients and their guests in the room, she said from across the room "I heard you had gastric bypass surgery. How's that working for you?  Is that why you have such a crazy diet?  I would never do anything like that."  Another nurse asked about it because she was overweight and had been dieting for a while and just wanted to hear my experience with it.  She already knew that I had had WLS so I was very open with my experience so far.  I know myself and hate to be the centre of attention, having people focus on my diet or weight loss would be so uncomfortable for me.  Many people advocate us being WLS spokes people and that is fine for some, but not for me.  This is my journey and I know how I choose to travel it and would never tell anyone else how they should handle this subject.  You do what feels right for YOU.

I hope you filed a complaint against the nurse. Don't take crap from anyone!

I probably should have, but at the time I was feeling really down and didn't have much fight in me.

Some people I tell and I really do not care what they think, but sometimes I just really do not want to get into it and I often just change the topic quickly over to them...I find people love to chat about themselves and quickly lose focus on me!  If they persist I usually just say I eat healthy and exercise.

I would just tell them... hey thanks for noticing.  I have decided to take care of myself and eat better.  The reality is, you have decided to eat better and to get healthy, and that is what you are doing.  What more needs to be said and why would that even be something you felt necessary to disclose.  You chose You and You are doing the work, so give yourself the credit.  People can have this surgery and completely obliterate the tool by not eating as they should etc... you choose not to... therefore you are losing weight because of choosing to do what will cause you to lose the weight.  There needn't be shame in saying I am doing it.... be proud of your daily choices, this is not the easy road and you are taking the steps... you are losing weight because You decided to.  Proud of your work.

I too am very guarded about who I share full details with so only family and my closest friends know the whole story.  I think it's normal for people to want to know...so many like us just long to find a permanent solution. In fact I talked to a complete stranger about it when he told me he had lost over 150 lbs. and he talked to me about his WLS. Obviously he was comfortable with it but that's not where my head is....at least at this point.

When persistently asked for details I plan to say that I'm on a medically supervised diet and I am getting more active. Anything more than that they don't need to know. No matter what I think we need to rejoice when it come to our successes... ☺️

I am pre-op and decided that it was info I would only share with my family and one close friend.  Because of a situation at work and booking time off I determined that I needed to share the info with my manager.  I work in a very small company and I am 100% sure that although I asked this info to remain private, it won't.

If anyone asks me about my weight loss, be it a colleague, acquaintance, or friend, I will tell them that I have been working with my Doctor, a Nutritionist, peers, and have changed my lifestyle.  It's not a lie.  If they continue to ask, I will just say, "thank you for noticing". If they continue to push I will say. "it's personal, but thank you for noticing."

Some people are comfortable sharing all details and educating people.  Some are not.  Neither way is the right way.  What the right way for you is a personal matter and you need to do what makes you feel comfortable.

Take care & best of luck in your journey :)

Thank you for bringing this up.  It seems to be a theme for me this weekend.  I am pre-op and have only told my parents and one friend.  I was feeling that wanting to keep things on the downlow was unusal, but am glad to see that I'm in good company.  I still haven't figured out how I'll deal with things after surgery, but I've got time yet to decide!  Happy Sunday night!!