what to say?

 I work in a family doctor office, m patients are going to say OMG you loosing weight ! How are u doing it? Someone on here said " I had had surgery and one of the side affect has bee weightloss" , any other ideas? Our patients are very personal. Like we are a  family!!!

Good Morning

I struggled with the decision on whether to to keep my surgery a secret or not and then one day I decided that why should i? To be honest, this is not a miracle cure, there is a lot more work to use this tool than there has been with any diet or "plan" I've tried to date.

I'm proud of my decision to have the surgery (although I'm only 5 days out) and the only negative feedback I've received was from a sibling - who is older than me and should have considered it themselves years ago.

In the community where our summer digs are, everybody knew I was heading in for the surgery - they all have seen my weight struggles - when we arrived here late Saturday afternoon, they seemed to be all watching for us to arrive and it was a steady stream of people offering to help my wife out with things and wishing me well.

I say tell them the truth - you decided it was time to take the leap and get a tool that if used properly for the rest of your life will allow you to "have" a rest of your life!

Bob

Like Bob said...your decision to seek surgical assistance is nothing to be ashamed of.  I would say that you choose to have surgical intervention in assisting you with managing your health and weight.  Then if they still have a blank look on their face say you have had weight loss surgery and are using this tool to reclaim good health.  

I think by now many people know of others who have had WLS, no reason to pretend you have discovered some secret miracle diet.

There are many things that are told about why we are losing weight.  What you decide to say is whatever you feel comfortable with.  With working in a Dr. office, you may not be able to skirt the truth.  Go ahead and say that you've had Weight Loss Surgery, and be open to questions about it.  You may get some negative feedback, but that goes with the territory.  But you may never know who you help by being open.  I'm assuming that the Doctor(s) in the office know that you are going through the process.  After your back, you may want to remind them that with your weight loss being very visible, their patients might start asking them questions about it.

I wish you well.

Cathy

I think it's a very personal and individualized choice whether to share the fact you have had WLS. I didn't for a long time but like you I work in healthcare in a busy ER and all my co-workers started to notice and ask questions and at first I used the had surgery weight loss is a side effect line but after losing nearly 90lbs they are like my family and started to get concerned that months after my surgery I was still loosing tonnes of weight so I disclosed that the surgery I had was WLS and most have been very supportive. You aren't going to get 100% positive feedback but it goes with the territory. Share what you are comfortable sharing and go from there. Good-Luck :-)

I believe that just because someone feels ease in asking questions of a personal nature, it doesn't automatically entitle them to an answer.  A simple yet truthful reply would be......  I'm really watching what I'm eating ( which you are !). 

Although on the other hand, if you are comfortable sharing "the whole" story, what an amazing example of taking control of your health you'd be.  I feel people will respect a choice that has so many obvious benefits physically and mentally.  Just know that you are entitled to privacy no matter your occupation - you will know what to say when the situation arises!!   :)

I too work in a Doctor's office, and I haven't yet had the surgery but after I do, I plan on being open and honest about it. Perhaps we can inspire others. Good Luck 

If you are able to share and feel comfortable it sounds like you have a really cool opportunity to be an ally and reduce the stigma that comes with weight loss surgery.    In sharing my story Ive helped people learn that this is far from the easy way out and we silently struggle with so many things that keep us overweight so this is a tool to help us.  

"hookworms. highly contageous and get me every time"

just because I have a sense of humor and would enjoy how that got flipped turned up side down all over the office

Hahahahahahahaha!!!! Thought I would tell people I went in for a tummy tuck!