How open are you in real life about your wls?

I'm a private person.  So far only dh knows that I plan to have the sleeve as soon as my insurance approves it.  I have worked at the same place for about 23 years and plan to take off four weeks.  I've pretty much have decided to tell my coworkers that I will be off because I'm having wls. I don't want to make up a lie as to what kind of surgery I'm having because I think a lie will become apparent when I lose a significant amount of weight but I'm also not yet comfortable discussing any details about wls with most of my co-workers.   How do I find a balance?  Any suggestions from those that have been open about wls?

Thanks
Pix

 me personally im very open about it i know its a great step towards losing weight and getting healthy again i have told everyone i know but thats just me different people have to find their own balance about who to tell and not to tell i cant wait until the holidays though for the people that rarely see to be shocked lol 

I was very open, both before and after surgery.

I had great support at work. My family was about 90% on board, but some had reservations about surgical risks. In the end though everybody was supportive.

My experience at work was very positive. But you are correct, they will want to know details. I am an engineer, and work with other engineers. so we as a group always are curious about how things work. They only downside was having to explain the procedure multiple time. to different people.

I can't really offer advice on what is the right balance for you, but being very open worked for me. But, only you know you comfort level and audience.

When I first looked into WLS I only told my Family.  Only one person at work knew.  She had the surgery a few month earlier and I was able to ask her questions.  I have worked for the same company for 35 years.  So everyone here knows me.  They have seen my weight go up over the years.  I wanted to wait to get through the approval process.  Once I was approved I did tell my coworkers.  I took 5 weeks off.  By the time I got back to work just about every one knew.  So far everyone has been so supportive.    

I've been kinda selective about who I've told so far. Not that I'm ashamed or trying to hide it, just trying to avoid those people that are negative and feel like they need to give me their opinions/advice when I'm not asking for them.  I only told a handful of people while I was doing the pre op work ups and waiting for final insurance approval. In the last few weeks, I've began telling a few more people that I feel will be supportive. After my surgery and people start to notice my weight loss, I'll tell them about my surgery.  

Tami

I waited until I had a surgery date to run off and tell everyone at work - I worked in an environment with some great co-workers that made it almost impossible to hide the fact and it would have been obvious since my co-workers (and I) used to do a lot of social eating :-p  - lunches, happy hours, etc.

I got a pic of the VSG on my phone and just showed that to everyone so I didnt have to explain the details - some people had a lot of questions, some people just assumed it was a lap band/gastric bypass and couldn't care less about the differences but were otherwise supportive.

There have been a few people who make the usual comments about gaining weight back, being sick etc. But I usually pre-empted all of that nonsense by being blunt that this is my well thought out decision and made it clear that I knew what I was doing. My skinny friends never understand why I did it but they are supportive.

I think as part of this process of not only WLS but taking control of our lives in all aspects, it's important to learn to set boundaries. If you want to put the topic out there (just bc its going to be obvious anyways), you have th right to set boundaries with how much you are willing to share, and people need to learn to accept that. It's a hard thing to do, but now is a good time to start learning. I have had to really work on this and its very hard because socially, it comes off a little weird to say "i'd rather not discuss those details with you but thanks for your support".  It's also a little weird to tell people that you really dont appreciate their donut and cookie pushing, but sometimes, just gotta be blunt lol.

Now that I am almost 9 months out, I dont go around talking about it unless someone asks me a direct question about why i'm eating weird - (ie small portions, healthy, like OMG what a novel idea).

AMEN!!!!

B O U N D R I E S

This is what I needed to learn and amazing when I established them the difference it made in my life. It has not been an overnight thing but oh so worth it!!!

 You make a good point about setting boundaries.  I need to decide now how much I'm willing to share.  

Thanks 
Pix

I tell everyone who is within the sound of my voice about my WLS! LOL!

I'm with Allison, wait until it's almost time to go, then let people know what's up as needed. However, I love that I get to be an ambassador to educate people about this surgery, but that may have something to do with the fact that I'm a teacher...

I don't think that you need to discuss details, you talk about what you're comfortable with- just because someone asks you a question, doesn't mean you MUST answer it!
For example, when someone says to you, "How much weight have you lost?" you can say, "Enough to be feeling great!" and then go on to talk about the exercise you're doing, or a completely different topic. You don't have to be specific if you aren't comfortable.

Wishing you the best!

:Danni

No one at work knows except for the lady I sit next to who is now my enemy. They assume but I don't care. A lot of people in my personal life know. I kind of wish people didn't know because I'm not losing like I think I should...

Someone at work tried to call me out on having surgery and I just denied it. Someone else tried to do it today and I just acted like I didn't know what she was talking about. She had RNY 10 years ago and she was like "I wish I would have waited until now to have lapband and her hand gestured towards me without realizing it. I just didn't acknowledge it. She wasn't rude about it but I know all of these ladies at work talk about me and assume.