opinion

Happy New Year everyone,
At work with have this all employee company website that has automatically become everyone's home page and it has some company information on it. It also has pictures of what we are doing in and for the community and some stories about different employees. Like what volunteer work they are doing ect. Well I have been in it before in pictures for different bike rides Excellus has sponsored but it has been group things. Well I got an email today from the editor someone told her I have lost alot of weight and now she wants to do a story on me and my weight loss journey. Now my first reaction was WOW, and no way I don't want the whole company (approx 7,500 people) knowing my business. But then I thought well what if someone is considering the surgery and wants to know someone that went thru the whole process. So now I am stuck....what would everyone do? I have an appointment to talk with the editor on Thursday at 10:00am. I told her I am not fully commited to the article because they want it also to go in the company magazine. I told her I would like to sit down and talk about it first and then decide. What does everyone think...do it or no?

If I were in your shoes, I'd do it...but that's me. You've got to decide what's best for you. If having everyone know about your surgery is not something you're ready or prepared for- than it may not be a good thing. However, if you're proud of your sauces- then why not?

Good Luck with whatever you chose- as you've done an impressive job thus far!

This is a tough one. I value my privacy and only told my immediate family and 2 close friends. Other friends and neighbors have commented on the weight loss and I've just told them I've altered my diet and am now eating high protein and no carbs.

But, at work there have been 4 of us that had the surgery in 2010. So, everyone at my local job knows I had the surgery. Non-local employees don't know - nor do I want them to know.

If you decide to go public with your story it could be beneficial to other employees. But, you should also be prepared for the negative comments. It really gets my shorts in a bunch when someone makes the comment that WLS is the "easy way" out or states that WLS wouldn't be necessary if we'd just exercise and watch what we eat. Worse yet is the potential for these people to become your "food police / nazi" and star****ching every bite you take.

Are you prepared for those negative comments? Would they mess with your mind and possibly derail your progress? Do the benefits of going public outweigh the potential loss of privacy?

Quite frankly, I didn't tell a lot of people because I didn't want to be constantly justifying the surgery.

I would do it too, but that is me. I tell everyone! I feel like a walking billboard sometimes. I don't really care what people think. I mean ...it is a huge part of who I am today. 

Being that I am someone who is struggling and have the need to find others that are doing this, I would go for it.  I have a coworker who did it and I see how it has changed her life.  it has been very inspiring and it has given me the boost to change my life.

I think that you should be proud of where you have come, and what you have acheived! you shouldnt be embarrassed by it.  We live our lives being affraid of what others will think, and what they will say.  Now that you have lost the weight it is your time to embrace it honey!

Go for it, and soak it up for all its worth :)

I would go for it...I've always been open about myself...I've been clean & sober over 23 years...and make a point to let those that I work with know...I don't do meetings anymore but I end up having little meetings with co-workers who need to talk, vent or seek advice on their own friends or family members...and a few who have needed help themselves...they know it won't go any further, but I put myself out as a resource.

The same way w/my surgery...I think everyone in my region is aware...and we've got 13 branches in the region. Our former regional manager (currently still w/the company but he took over another region) had the bypass years ago and was very helpful to me as someone to talk to that understood.

The thing is, my family is proud of me, my colleagues are proud of me...and I'm proud of me...I too am like a walking billboard. Every time I go into to work to drop in, the customers are thrilled...they all knew what I was going out for...and sure there were a few who were 'easy way out' commenters...but most of them also love George W, his father, Sarah Palin & get their mis-information from Fox News...nuff said?! LOL

If I can help anyone else with the decision or look at options, I'm all over it...we have a saying in AA...you can't keep it unless you give it away...and that's all about sharing your experience, strength & hope...I'm actually going to talk to someone in HR about it when I get back to work!

Thanks for the idea!

Very inspiring James :) 

Hi,

I would do it.  But, I am super open with everyone.  How open are you at work about it?

Meg

Thank you thank you thank you everyone for your feedback.

I am pretty open at work. I mean as far as being gay goes I didn't come right out and say it but its not hard to tell. I have a picture of my partner and I on my desk with the word love on the frame and small rainbow kayak picture. We go to work functions together and anyone that asks I tell them I am not ashamed at all. I think I am starting to feel that way about the surgery. I mean all of my friends and family and some co-workers know, and I am definitely not ashamed of it. WLS was by far the best decision I have ever made. I am prepared for the negative comments. When I was preparing for the surgery one of my then roommates was very against the surgery and had no problem telling me about it. After wards I kind of used that as fuel. If I got down on myself I would snap out of it saying things like don't let all the doubters win, you are stronger than them. So if people are going to have negative things to say then they can I am prepared for it. I would hope that people are educated enough to realize it is far from an easy way out, and the surgery is just a weight loss tool, we are the reason it works. We make the lifestyle changes we change our habits, we are the reason we lose weight. Heck maybe I'll even say that in my interview. LOL.  I'll post an update after my interview on Thursday...thanks again everyone. Hope everybody is having a fantastic week :-)

"...So if people are going to have negative things to say then they can I am prepared for it. I would hope that people are educated enough to realize it is far from an easy way out, and the surgery is just a weight loss tool, we are the reason it works."

That's a fantastic attitude and it sounds like you could adequately handle any negative comments.

Please, let us know you feel after the interview on Thursday.