Survey: How do you respond to THAT question

Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. Tonight I talked this over with my therapist and realized this was more about my own judgment about this, although I also don't want to feel like everyone is watching what I eat. (I know I'll have to deal with that with my family). 

In in the end, it's really no ones business, but I don't want to lie either. You all have given me some great suggestions. 

Am grateful. 

No one pays any attention to what I eat. I know it seems that nosy Nellies will dun you, but most people are wrapped up in themselves.

You have gotten some great suggestions here! I told anyone who asked but nipped the "You did it the easy way." in the bud by saying that it was hard work! The positive side of my 'telling' is that at least 5 people that I know told me that I gave them the courage to also have the surgery. THAT is the best compliment that I ever could get!!

You have to do what's right for you!

Martha

I waited until they noticed - like after I had lost 50-60 pounds. Because I was such a diet failure that I didn;t know if WLS would even work for me.   

If it was a just general comment - I said I worked it off.   TOTAL TRUTH - WLS is not a picnic.  

If it was from an overweight friend who was really looking for help - I said everything and started at how little chance a person has without WLS - I had to come to terms to the fact that I was NOT one of the lucky 3-5% of people who can take and keep off a significant amount of excess weight - not just 20-25 pounds but 120.  Check HALA's recent post about that.    

You can truthfully tell that you're working at it.  You worked on what your surgeon wanted you to do as far as office visits, going to specialist to get clearance on stuff like cardiac, etc.  You also had to watch your weight, get medical clearance, etc.  After surgery,  you will work on getting your protein, water, and vitamins in.

I laugh and say "Long story! Short answer, therapy!" Then I laugh again, and that pretty much ends it. It's true, though! If someone is truly interested, and I trust them, I'll let them know the whole story. I just don't offer it up to the world.

I told people at work that i was having the surgery before hand.  I told my friends you will be seeing a major change and i do not want you to think i am sick or something worse.  I have only had positive responses to my surgery and weight loss.  I am proud of my surgery and my hard work and have no issues talking about the surgery or the work that goes into using the amazing tool that we are were given.

for me i have a harder time not sharing my story.

RNY best thing i ever did for myself

It will be a while before they notice (took people about 45-50 pounds for me).  I told 2 close friends at work who haven't shared my story, as well as family and close friends. I responded with "eating high protein, low sugar, low fat, low carb, and exercising with a personal trainer."  All of this is factually correct.  I did not want to tell them about the surgery because I didn't want to be under a microscope, with everyone watching my every move.  Initially, I didn't tell them because I didn't want to be dissuaded in my decision or to hear the horror stories and the reasons it wouldn't work. Then, it just worked out not to tell anyone. I even managed to join in on lunch festivities with the group. They noticed I was eating less/differently, but I just explained that I was changing habits so that I wouldn't end up diabetic/on an insulin pump like my brother.

Almost a year later, I have lost over 130 pounds and if they know or suspect surgery, I don't care.  When they ask how much I have lost, I stopped telling them, because it sounds so dramatic.  I remind them that I have lost it over a long period of time (sort of stretch it out to a year and a half...) I simply say, I have lost a lot.  I work in two offices, one of which is a hospital, so they have asked me from a health concern and asked if I had lost weight intentionally (vs. being ill).  A couple of people who I don't see often, but have noticed the change in pictures on facebook have asked me in private messages and since these were people who had excess weight to lose, I responded honestly, but told them I wasn't sharing with people.  One had previously had the surgery and the other is someone I knew well in the past, but don't see on a regular basis.  I felt it was disingenuous not to tell them the truth.

Many people handle it differently, but this has worked well for me.  I am typically very transparent, open, and honest, but I am definitely glad I made this decision at work. 

Good luck in your journey.

i find it so fascinating that everyone feels so differently ..

before I had surgery I wouldn't tell anyone but my family .. After I got my date and was on the preop diet and knew it was really happening I told some close friends .(also we were away together during my preop and drinking shakes was so not like me) 

then the min I came out of surgery I decided People have eyes and I didn't want to  be in their mouths too .. So if anyone asks I say I had help if they ask what help then I say surgery 

I really don't care what people think but I know a good friend who lied after wls and ended up loosing friends (including me) Not because of the wls lie but because the lies grew and grew in all aspects of her life .. It just took over .

I'm honest with anyone who asks. I've lost 20kg/45lbs in just shy of three months, and some of my longer term clients have commented and asked me if I'm all right/what I'm doing differently. My staff and colleagues knew I was taking leave and what was happening, and the topic hasn't otherwise come up.