Daily Post--6/30/08

Do you share with others that you have had WLS or do you keep it a big secret and just say that you have followed a "diet" (which we do) and if so why don't you share?

As a pre-op, I was careful who I told. Everyone "knows somebody who had the surgery" and their stories are not always good or accurate. I wanted to keep my mind in a positive space in the weeks and months before surgery. As a post-op, I don't go around beating a drum or wearing a t-shirt that says "I HAD WLS" but if someone asks how I'm doing it, I will say. I'm up front about dietary concerns if I go out with people. I make no excuses for the fact that there are some places I can't eat at. I'm proud of what I've done and I don't accept people's negative comments, but I also don't hide it.

I share because I am proud of the decision I made, and if that person is a candidate for it, I may have helped them by advocating.

I have told everyone except those I work with. I have a list of reasons, the most important of which is that my boss is a person that uses private information against her employees. My personal life is none of her business. I prefer to keep it personal - less ammo for her tyrades. At work I tell most of the truth. I say I am working with a doc and nut and leave out the surgery. I tell the truth about the diet I'm on, etc.

Until today I only told a a few of my closest friends. Today I'm ready, committed and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I didn't want to be swayed by other people's feelings and prejudices and didn't need any nay sayers when *I* was trying to decide for *me*. ---jan---

I usually just tell all. For me it is just easier that way.

If someone asks, I tell them. I'm not ashamed of my surgery, rather I'm thrilled that something has finally worked! But I also tell them that the surgery is only part of the reason that I've lost the weight. I tell them that I'm only successful with the surgery because I also follow a strict diet, and I exercise regularly.

As a preop, I didnt tell anyone but family. After the surgery I have been very open about it. Even at my new job, where I didnt need to tell I have told. Vivienne

I told anyone and everyone. I am still so excited, 6 months later! I am more than willing to share information, support, answer questions, you name it... my RNY has changed and SAVED my life!

I tell anyone who will ask or listen. I am proud of my decision and personally don't like to be "mislead" or "decieved" so I wouldn't want to make anyone else feel that way. If "dieting" alone worked we wouldn't have had this surgery so I don't ever want someone who is obese to believe that they are a failure because they can't just "diet" and loose weight like those of us who have had WLS can. Yes we follow a special "diet" but without the surgery we would probably all still be obese if all we did was "diet". Just my personal feelings. Sally