I finally told everyone about my WLS!!

Today makes 1 more week 'til band day!!! I had planned on being very secretive and private about my surgery because, frankly ~ I was embarassed to let everyone know that I couldn't lose this weight by myself. I know........... PRIDE!!! However, I realized that maybe what I'm doing could be an example to someone else and encourage them to take action, get healthy and possibly save their life! I told all my family members last Friday and Wednesday night I told my church family that I was having surgery on June 22. After services, many came and asked me if anything serious was going on, and I told them that I was getting banded. To my shock and amazement, they were happy for me and inquisitive about it and many were wishing they could do the same! Wow! That shocked me! Anyway, I have to say that it is a big burden of relief to have come out into the open. For me, honesty is definitely the best policy!!! Melodie 297/261/160

Melodie, I must have been the biggest mouth around when it came to my surgery. I think I told everyone. LOL!! The ONLY thing is, I won't tell my weight to any of my family. I can't tell you why, But I won't. LOL!! I know, I must be crazy. I wish you the best of luck & a speedy recovery. Sara.

Thank you, Sara! I haven't had much problem telling everyone my weight now that I've decided to be up front and honest. Sure, I'm not proud of how large I've become, but I know it won't be for long! One of my major motivations is that others that I know who are as big or bigger than me will see the change and will also want to do something about their weight and become healthier! I hope that I can be a good example and help them, too. Melodie

Hi Melodie, I told everyone that I spoke with over the two years that I tried to have the gastric bypass. I'm not embarrassed to tell what my weight is now and how much I have lost. I talk to everyone I see that is suffering with pain trying to walk. I became a spokes person for the surgery. Even having Leukemia, and the problems with that, and I still tell people what it has done in my life. The more I lose, the more I talk to others. They are like me, never heard of it. They ask questions, Dr.'s, what foods I am able to eat etc. It's a great way to share your joy with others who could use the help. I need to go, it's almost 1am, and 7:30 comes mighty early. Love and best wishes, Kathy

You'll be in surgery the day hubby and I head down to Mobile for his family reunion. We have not told any of his family about my surgery. I think they'll figure it out come that weekend though. At last year's reunion I was 75 pounds heavier than I am today. Gee, I wonder if they'll notice!!!!!!! Pre-op I told my kids and a select few people at work and church. I did not want a full church announcement made. I did ask my SS teacher (who is an ordained minister) and my pastor if I could have private communion the day before and they did that for me. My name was put on the prayer list so word did get around and everyone has been very supportive. The one person I was hesitant to tell was my mother. In the past she has been less than supportive and I wasn't sure how I would handle her criticism of my decision. I finally bit the bullet and called her about a week before my surgery. Her first reaction was, "But you don't weigh 300 lbs! You have to weigh at least 300 lbs to qualify for that surgery." I told her I was close enough and my BMI was high enough to qualify even without all of my co-morbidities. She really surprised me then and has become one of my biggest cheerleaders. My mother has also battled her weight all of her life. Post-op I find I do not hesitate to tell people I've had surgery. It has opened the door for some amazing conversations with people who are either curious for themselves or have a loved one who is curious. I figure it's like one starving person telling another where to find bread. (okay, maybe not the best analogy here but you get my point) I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers. Susan

I think that's the best "ironic" analogy I've ever heard. So true! Hey, all the best to you as you go to your family reunion!! I think they'll all be floored to see you looking so good! I'm so glad your mom came around to being a support for you. Maybe you will inspire her to become proactive about her weight as well! Your prayers are greatly appreciated!! God bless, Melodie

I work in a small office so I kinda had to explain surgery. I have not told my inlaws at all!!!! I can't take all the negative feedback I will recieve. I was so excited when I first began and told some girls at school... the reaction I got was HORRIBLE one girl prceeded to tell me about some girl she knew who had the surgery went home ate a potpie and "supposidly" died. I could not belive how the "skinny" friend I had looked at me and basically told me how lazy I was... I am now planning on very few people knowing. Maybe after surgery I'll change my mind but for now I keep it to myself. Misty

Hi all, Well, I've been lurking around this website for a very, very long time and decided to write my first post now. I am just in the beginning of the process for wls. I live in Nasvhille but go to North Carolina on monday for a seminar and Tuesday for the nutrition evaluation and surgeon consult. I have been thinking about wls for more than 2 years and now that I decided to have it done (at least try, insurance) I am very wary of who I tell. I once was playing around with my boss and told her that I would love to have it done and she was kind've disgusted. She felt that it's a cop out. To be honest, that's the way I felt too, but the reality is it's not. It's something that will save my life. How can that be a cop out? Until this week, my mother and sister were the only ones who knew about it. I was afraid to tell my good friend. And then one night I told her, I was really scared because I didn't want her to say the same thing. I hate looking weak in people's eyes. But when I told her, she was very happy and wanted to go with me to my appointments in North Carolina. Unfortunately she can't come, but she's really happy and supportive. But I'm still embarressed or scared to tell my church and other friends back in Oregon. But I figure if I have the surgery and see them in a year, they'll figure it out..... or they won't even recognize me Score!...hehe

Is there some particular reason you're going to North Carolina to consult with a surgeon instead of finding one here in Nashville?

I was looking into Dr. Husted because I've been doing research on the DS surgery. The other surgeons in Nashville either don't do it or don't do it lap. So I found Dr. Voellinger in North Carolina who specializes in lap DS. After reading horror stories about surgeons who mess up (which I know it can happen to any surgeon) I felt that he was the right choice, And he's also in network for my insurance (which is the only way I could be able to afford it). If Dr. Husted was still doing surgeries in Nashville I'd go to him but...he's not. Another surgeon with Centennial emailed me and said he could do the surgery for me, but it sounded more like a pitch and I didn't get a good feeling so I'm going to the seminar monday night and a consult with Dr. Voellinger on tuesday. We'll hopefully see what happens after that.