Telling people about your decision for WLS

I'll be honest - I did question my decision the first month. But once I turned that corner and was getting nutrition I was in a much better place emotionally. 3 months out I am sooooo happy I did this for myself.

I would see that in posts here a lot during my first month and it gave me something to look forward to.

I have actually told quite a few co-workers. I work at a psychiatric hospital, and 2 people on my unit have recently had Gastric Bypass, and everyone has been super supportive of them...so that made it easier for me. I have told my close friends and my mother and aunt (best friend, mom and aunt had gastric bypass),..haven't talked to my husband's family...and probably won't, until absolutely necessary, as I just don't think they would understand..."why don't you just start going to the gym more? Watch what you eat?" I can hear it now...everyone I have told is super excited and supportive...which makes it a lot easier!

"very few including your primary care doctor understand the nuances of WLS"

This is one of the reasons I've opted to be open, so that I can help to dispel the stigma and ignorance surrounding WLS. However, I realize that's a lot of emotional work and sometimes I get tired of having to educate people. But... it does pay off from time to time when someone decides they're ready to pursue WLS based on my "example" and information. :D

I was open about it from the start. I work in a dispatch center and nothing is secret. A few co-workers have had the surgery before me. I have had so many medical issues that I knew people would worry about me if I tried to keep it a secret.

Plus I thought I might need the help. There's ALWAYS food at work. Always having potlucks on graveyard shift. Officers trying to get on our good side by bringing donuts in. People ordering a pizza and want others to go in. We've had "biggest loser competitions" at work and people have sabotaged others (me-with a Twinkie) to win. It's a weight loss battlefield in here!

Yet everyone has been SO supportive. Yes, I was surprised by the support but it's no secret I go to the gym 6 days a week and work very hard. I've had no desire for the crap food and bring my own. I'm not tempted by cake or cookies and if my pod partners want cake they eat it on the other side of the room.

We sit for 12 hours a day under high stress situations. Prime for stress eating. Some of the others who have had WLS kept it a "secret" while others don't want to talk about it. I wish I had someone who talked about it that I could have learned from. I try to be that person for others now at work. There are 2 more going thru the steps of WLS now and I'm happy I was able to be a part of that decision.

I told my husband and two friends. Sadly, one is now a former friend. I would tell close friends if they asked, but I am lucky to have polite, non judgmental friends. I tell nosey acquaintances that I am on a strict diet and exercise plan. 100% honest.

People who have know me for a long time have seen me lose significant weight only to regain it plus 10 pounds so it's the same old, same old... but this is the first time in 25 years that I have weighed less than 200 pounds.

I plan on being one of the 20% who's weight is stable five years after WLS.

20%!? really? Ugh!

I truly appreciate everyone's feedback!

I am usually an extremely open person, but this one I'm not sure about sharing. I'm caught between being super excited and wanting to tell everyone and feeling embarrassed for not putting more effort in to "doing it the hard way". For now, I'm keeping it to myself. I'm just a few weeks into my pre-op visits.

Remember, that surgery is still "doing it the hard way." It's just a different hard way and, for some of us, it's the only way that works.

Don't sell yourself short here. :)

Very true! Thanks for that thought!