WLS responses from church

Hello Sheila, I go to a very small church our max. in attendence on Sunday Morning is at about 40. I love my church and all the prayer warriors. I told them of my wanting this surgery during a ladies prayer meeting (Thursday nights)and you would not beleive how many people that following sunday had something to tell me about. I have tried really hard to convence myself that it is just that they care about me. I also have some feeling of being put on display. I also go to church with my Mother in law, who I love so dearly!!!! However, she feels as though I am making a huge mistake. I have prayed about this and I feel as though if I am not in God's perfect will for my life he will close ever door and this will not take place. In fact my surgeon is not even in my network on my policy and my insurance company paid that visit 100%. When usally with out of network dr.'s I have to pay 20%. Isn't God good!!!! I know that God has went before me and will prepare the path for me He wants me to take. Some will understand and others won't. I will be praying for you! I cast my cares upon you, For you care for me. Your eye is on the sparrow, And I know that you are watching. Even though the lion rages, I will have no fear. For God you in control, And my life is in your care. God Bless you

When I had my surgery, I didn't tell anyone from church, except my cousin who has had WLS also. She, in turn, told our pastor to pray for me because I was having surgery. Apparently he must have asked questions, and she told him the nature of my surgery. She told a few others also, so that they could pray for me. I wasn't upset with her, but I just didn't want anyone to know, because I wasn't sure how they'd react. I prayed about my surgery, from the moment it occured to me to investigate, up until I was on the operating table. It seemed everything just fell into place, so I know that this is what I was supposed to do, with God's blessing. Once the weight started to come off, people would ask me about my weight loss, and I was truthful with them. I have not had any negative comments from anyone from church. Most everyone is surprised, and pleased. Take care.

Praise the Lord Sheila!!! Eventhough this is a slow moving thread, I still felt the need to add my lil' 2 cents. LOL I am a member of a huge chur*****leveland. Two members of the congregation have had the surgey around the same time as each other. Everyone began talking and gossiping when they found out what they did to lose the weight. Some even when as far as talking about all the horror stories they've heard about others. How heartless!! You can't even say they were showing their concern because the sugery had already taken place and weight-loss was more than visible. I have exactly two weeks before my date and I haven't told anyone in the church. I do, however plan on telling the Bishop and his wife. They're my shepherds and they deserver to know what's going on with their flock. Other than that, my mom, brother, cousin, and a couple of friends know. But I wouldn't dare tell any of the gossiping people at my church. The last thing I need is stress from them before I have a serious procedure like this. My Bishop and family's prayers will be more than enough. God bless you, Tammy

Hi Sheila! Earlier in the year, I would write confidential prayer requests on our communicator cards at church for me to make the right decision. I also told my Sunday School Parenting Class so they could also pray that the right decision be made. Once I was approved, we prayed for a successful surgery. One day my pastor pulled me aside and told me he was praying for my successful surgery - he had seen my confidential prayer requests and wanted me to know he supported me. He was there at 5:30 a.m. the morning of my surgery to say a prayer and to support me and my husband, along with a few of my friends from church. The support was and still is overwhelming! Every Sunday, people hug me and tell me how wonderful I'm looking and ask if a friend of theirs could call me, etc., to discuss the surgery and the surgeon I selected. I have been very blessed to have such a wonderful church family!!!!

Hello, I didn't tell no one at all except my family, Now I feel bad I didn't atlease tell my pastor, what was going on. he called me in the hospital after I had already had the operation. Later he did tell me about it. LOL If the hopital wasn't so far away He would of been there in person. I did tell him at prayer meeting I would soon have surgery but never said when or where or what kind. I felt bad cause he and his wife helped me with christmas, food , and my needs during my recovery. I tell ya, it will never happen this way again. Now when it came to my church members, No I didn't want them to know cause there are some who gossip. and there are some who truly cares. but I just didn't want to share it at the time. when I did start to loss a large amount of wt I had to come up with the truth cause it was falling off to quickly. Now everyone knows. and I get so much congratulation and kind words. so everything is good. Bless you **Hugs**