Daily Post--5/8/08

When people ask me directly how I've lost so much weight, I absolutely tell them that the surgery has been my tool but I also have to eat a certain way and I am far more active than I ever have been. I feel it would be dishonest to imply that I did this on my own, without the assistance of surgery, but that is just how I am. Also, I am so incredibly thrilled with how I feel and with how well the surgery went, I want people who might also benefit from the surgery to know that it really does work and, if you are committed and have a great surgeon, it can change your life!

Of course my husband, kids and my parents know and my coworkers also know but as far as telling strangers or people I'm not close to....I don't. I figure it's none of their business. My surgery was my tool to help me but I'm the one making it work. With God's help, I'm the one exercising, I'm the one who watches what I eat and how much I eat so I tell them the truth. I tell them I watch what I eat, no more fried foods or fast foods, and I exercise. I would never tell a stranger if I had gall bladder surgery or an appendectomy. I don't feel the need to share my medical history with strangers. But if I had someone ask me directly if I had it I wouldn't deny it. If someone said they were thinking about having it I would be glad to share my experience with them.

I tell those who ask. and the guy from the dock who came up to me whispered in my ear "you've got cancer don't you?? only people with cancer lose that much weight" *sigh* Had to set him straight before he had me in a coffin. Lori

My mom had WLS about two years before I did - and she told no one except my dad until the night before surgery - then called me and my siblings. Even now, as far as I know, no one outside of the immediate family knows for sure - and people talk. My aunt (her sister) has asked me repeatedly if mom's sick. I assure her that she's healthier than she's been in years. When it was my turn, I told the whole world. I didn't want friends and family talking behind my back, trying to figure out if I was sick. I have never been "normal", so I knew that no one was going to believe that suddenly, at 45 years old, I found the "key" to dieting! I am very glad that I'm so open about it. Another girl at work has followed in my footsteps, and there are at least two others considering the option. If my openness has helped even one person out of their self-imposed prison, I consider it well worth the time and effort it takes to explain.

Yep, I've told everyone.

I tell anyone who asks how I have lost the weight. Most people aren't bold enough to come right out and ask, but if they ask if I had the surgery, I say yes. I find it hard not to be proud of my accomplishments and with the amount of weight I've lost in a short amount of time anyone who knew me before would have to know I did something. Anyhow, I don't see a reason not to tell people I had the surgery, the more people talk about it, the more educated society will become and not think of it as the "easy way out."

I have had customers at work not recognize me! That really surprised me! Sucks too, because I work as a car salesperson on commission. They see a lady in my cubicle but they don't think it's me. Makes me mad when they buy a car from one of the guys because they didn't recognize me. DANG! So, yesterday I saw an older couple, Sandy has cancer and I haven't seen her in a couple of months. I went running over and gave her a hug and asked her how she was doing. She took a minute to be sure it was me...her hubby had told her it was me, that I had lost a lot of weight...he recognized my voice! LOL They are such a nice couple. Anyway, we had a nice visit, but she didn't recognize me. Unbelievable to me. I guess 92 lbs. makes a big difference. They asked how I did it and I told them I had Weight Loss Surgery. I have no problem telling people. Anna

I tell everyone who asks. All my family members and church family know. I didn't tell too many ppl before my surgery, but everyone since. Jules

I tell everyone if they want to hear it or not. I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. I believe that the surgeons who perform this procedure have been given a great gift and ability from God to be able to help people like me. I believe that God needs to be given the credit and the glory. It is through a combination of many different things that I have been so blessed and able to become healthy. Why would I want to make people believe it is just all about me and something I did alone when that isn't the case at all? Sally

I have told a great number of people. Those that I haven't told who ask about my weight loss or those who didn't know me prior I say I watch what I eat, eat mostly protein and exercise...all true.