Telling strangers you had weight loss surgery

I have no problem telling people either - I figure if they ask they must be interested and I have answered a lot of questions for a lot of people.

I had RNY and my sister has VSG so we sometimes tag team people-
I certainly don't think that WLS is the answer for everyone but I believe it bought me a lot of happier, healthier years so I have no problem answering people's questions either!!

My theory has always been "NEVER give unsolicited advice."   For a long while, I found myself wanting to tell every person who was obese about the surgery and how it changed my life, but know that  a lot of people could be potentially offended by that conversation because, well, it's rude to impose your beliefs on other people.  (Oh, that applies to so SO many things!  lol)

HOWEVER....

I will gladly tell ANYONE about MY personal experience.  And I mean EVERYONE. lol  I'm pretty public (obviously) about it, and I feel like being open and honest (and as my friend Toni says, "owning it") is the best way to help break down any social stigmas and taboos that the surgery may still have.

I understand why some people are private about it, I totally get that.  But I applaud anyone who's made a choice to better their health and quality of life - no matter how vocal they are about it.  :)

:)  that's absolutely wonderful because I honestly cannot imagine anybody not thinking you've done a great thing for yourself. :)  I have no idea what I will be like. I tend to think I wont tell anybody at all about the surgery because I know just mentioning to people that Im thinking about it/planning it  has brought about some incredibly RUDE comments.  I dont understand why people take it as we've given up on ourselves so much that we cant DIET but wow they are so wrong!  A person who has given up is not a person trying to WLS!  lol  Here on this site though that's preaching to the choir!  :)  

Congrats on your weight loss...I will talk about it when I'm asked. As long as the person does not come off being judgemental(had that happen). after 4 years, alot of times i forget i even had WLS...Just became so use to the lifestyle change.

I too find myself doing the same thing. I know it is because I came from an overweight family. My brother passed at 26 years old weighting over 500 pounds and my favorite Aunt Bonnie passed in 2001 over 600 pounds. My father was almost 400 but now down 25 pounds and having RNY surgery on the 20Th. My little a sister that is 11 years younger than I is over 400 pounds. and my 7 year old niece is about 100 pounds. I have watched it and it is so scary so my first reaction is to let people know there is help out there. I started at 295 and it has been a struggle for me all my life just to stay below 300. I am now not ashamed to be me. I just wish everyone knew that there is life out there beyond be over weight.  I have grown up watching my dad struggle for years. Now just by him watching me he said he can do this. He has type 2 diabetes and all kinds of medical problems. So I look at its as I am going to be his angel watching over him. Now my sister is going to check into it more.  She keeps saying the doctor says she is healthy no problems. But as we all know it is not healthy be (FAT) t is hard on your heart and body. I just hope she does this so my niece can learn from her. It is so funny how my niece ask me when she See's me can I see your tummy. So I always show here. Because she has always known me as the fat ant too Well enough of that thanks for letting me air my feeling... Yes I don't think anyone should be ashamed to let people know that there is help out there...Right now I am proud to be me..Yes I have had my struggles from the beginning of this journey but I no I still will as I go. Loving this Sleeve Sherri

my daughter is the first to blurt out She had WLS. Like she is so proud of me. I love her dearly but just want her to shut her mouth.

but I find my self doing it too sometimes. especially if it is a person who is struggling with weight. I never suggest they have WLS but I do tell them about taking vitamins and using protein powder. and OH.com and Sparkpeople.com

I tell anyone that ask me .lol.. hell it was all over my little town that I was dying of cancer ..

I've told everyone who I want support from that I've had a VSG.  I will tell others if they ask me.  I would never recommend WLS for people who are obese but what I would recommend is that if they are interested to begin researching it, talk to their doctor about it, and go to a few local support groups to see what they're like and what people's experiences are, to learn more.

I think it is a really emotional process overcoming all the shame of obesity, or at least it has been for me.  Before surgery, I didn't even want to tell my immediate family, let alone my coworkers or strangers.  I never wanted to discuss anything about my weight with them as a heavy person, and I felt intensely ashamed that I couldn't overcome the problem on my own, which didn't really start to subside until I saw my surgeon's presentation about weight loss, and I realized how MANY people were on the same diet rollercoaster with steadily increasing weight over the years that I was on - in fact, very few people in the world were losing weight and keeping it off through diet and exercise alone once they had gotten to my size.   Since losing weight, I have gotten so many questions, and I have gotten much more comfortable sharing about it.  Part of me wants to hand out my surgeon's card to every obese person that I meet, to share the joy that weight loss has brought me; of course I do not do that, because of the offense it would cause, but when people ask me about my weight loss, I certainly tell them.  Most are interested and supportive, although some tell me horror stories of people they know who have not done well.  I have simply said that so far (knock on wood), I have had an excellent outcome, no medical problems, no significant regain, and that I have followed the diet, vitamin, and exercise suggestions pretty religiously throughout.
Congrats on losing some angst along with the weight you've lost - you're an inspiration! --Sarah

I've read thru this thread and it is interesting.  I've not made a secret of my plans for surgery at all.  Everyone at work know and are very supportive.   My thing is when people look me up and down and say - but your not THAT fat!    Most certainly don't mean that in a mean way but I look at them and say 'you mean someone over 100 lbs overweight is not THAT heavy?'    

I won't ever hide the fact I had surgery (when it finally gets approved and I have it!!)   I'm so excited about my journey and what the next 50 years of my healthy life will bring me.