Telling strangers you had weight loss surgery

I have already said that admitting that I had weight loss surgery to friends and co-workers isn't a problem for me. But I also found myself telling complete strangers.

I had to go to Walmart yesterday to buy a belt for the vacuum cleaner. As I got up to the cashier, we had a conversation.
Here's how it went:

Cashier:   "You've lost a lot of weight, haven't you?"

Me: "Yes. Uh.. I'm sorry  have we met before? I 've only been in this store maybe five times in five years. You remember me?"

Cashier: "Yes I do"

Me: "Yeah.. I lost a lot of weight starting last spring.. and then had Gastric Bypass in September to lose more and hopefully keep it off.  I'm tired of gaining and losing and gaining more weight all my life."

Cashier: "Yes.. that's what damages your health"

Woman in line behind me:  "How much did you lose?"

Me: "I used to weigh more than 500 pounds"

Cashier: "WOW!"

Person in line behind me:  "And how much did you lose?"

Me: "This morning I weighed 255 pounds"

So, why was I so forthcoming?  I don't know. Maybe because both the cashier and the woman behind me in line were both obese. Maybe I thought that they were life-long strugglers with weight like myself and I wanted them to know that there is no stigma associated with weight loss surgery and that it is an option for some.

Anyway... I used to hate taking about my weight with ANYONE. So I have one less source of angst in my life.

That is great! Good for you!

I find myself doing the same thing. I figure if they are going to say something about my weight I might as well be honest. I have nothing to hide. And I am proud of what I have done for ME! Why not share? You amy help someone else in the process.

1. Way to go!! Keep up the grand work.
2. Sharing information with others that may desire to go the same path is a wonderful thing, they brought it up- Maybe you planted a seed and will be someones motivation!
3. Information is a powerful tool- thanks for sharing with others. We need to spread the word to others that may be UN-educated to all this. Some year it will not be viewed as such a voo-doo thing and be talked about freely. It has gotten way better over the years
Have a wonderful day
Kelly/tink

I will tell anyone - strangers, aquaintances, family.   When they comment on my weight loss, my line is "I flew to Mexico in November and had 80% of my stomach surgically removed. It is a new kind of weight loss surgery".  I love the variety of expressions on their faces.  I don't care if they approve or not but they usually do.

It is because of a relative stranger talking to me about her WLS that I went dow this path myself.  I am thrilled with my RNY and am thankful for the person who shared their story.

I had a similar experience the first time I went to buy new clothes post op. I waited until I had no choice (the pants were falling off) before I went shopping.

I went to a store that had both regular and plus sizes. As I stood looking at jeans, a sales clerk walked over. "May I help you?"

"Well... I don't know what size I am?"

She gave me a puzzled look.

"I've lost 40 pounds in the past three months."

"Oh. What did you do? Stop eating?"

"Yes," I replied.

To make a long story short, I finally admitted to the surgery when I checked out. She told me about her husband's struggle with diabetes. He's one of those folks who has the disease and chooses to ignore the diet restrictions needed to control it.

For those curious about the resolution of the clothing question: I was a size 20 when I started. I am now a size 14. The 14 "W" pants I bought have gotten a little loose, but I went a discount store the other day and bought regular size 14 jeans and they fit fine. My tops still need to be "woman" to fit (I upper arms and bust are still petty big). I haven't bought many new tops yet because I can still (mostly) make my old sweaters work - Those were size 18/20.

I, too, share my weight loss surgery journey with anyone who wants to hear about it. I think it is great to share the information that could possibly help others. I am thrilled with my results and confident that I made a sound decision when I decided to go this route!

Hugs,

You should be sharing.  I am so proud of you and what you have acomplished. 

I agree with your approach. I don't go around broadcasting it, but if someone asks, I tell the truth about how I did it. I have never yet had a negative response from anyone.
-Wanda