Keeping it a secret???

Has anyone kept their WLS a secret?  Although I did "joke" about getting the lap band with some of my co-workers and friends, I now think it would be best to keep my decision to have RNY between my wife and myself.   Being that I "only" have 60 -65 pounds to lose, I think I could get away with saying that I am paying closer attention to what and how much I'm eating along with cranking up my exercise program.  Pretty much everyone I know has seen me very physically fit in the past when I would go through one of my "hair-brain schemes" to get in shape and somehow get paid for it.   I already am poked some fun at by my friends (and sometimes by myself) about how I let myself go (again) after having been very lean only 6 years ago.  In fact just this past weekend while I was playing basketball, I was complaining about my knee (and was joking that I needed to lose 60 lbs) one of the other guys who happens to be an doctor said, "I remember when you Mr. Fitness."   Anyway, I could explain away my future hopeful weight loss to the people I joked about the lap band to, by saying "I didn't want any plastic in me and that since I lost weight in the past with more conventional methods I could do it again."   Just some rambling thoughts from a decieving demented lying sinner.  Thanks for listening. Sonny

Sonny, My wife and I work together and had WLS 11 days apart.  We only told a couple people because we didn't want to hear their opinons on WLS.  We told them we were taking 3 weeks vacation because her mom was coming to visit.  It wasn't a lie, because her mom came to take care of us.  When we returned to work, we couldn't keep it a secret anymore.  Now, after 10 months, we are the envy of everyone since I lost 140 pounds and my wife lost 175.  Life is definately good now.  Good luck. Floyd

Floyd My reasons for wanting to keep it a secret are pretty mucj the same as yours were.  I would imagine losing that much weight would be a little harder to "play off" than my relatively low 65 lbs.  I realize I'm a "lightweight" around here and I appreciate you guys tolerating me.  Thanks. Sonny

Sonny,

Non-issue for me….Well, not completely…… I’m in a small college town. When I walk into a Starbucks, they ask- "The Usual?" If I buy extra amounts at the grocery store, I have been asked—

"Company/Family in town?" Everyone knew, I let anyone know who asks. I have no reservations about telling or compulsions to do so. I do have MO folks seek me out to ask how I’m feeling now that I’ve been at a normal weight for so long… A few people who were MO have sought out my doc and scheduled surgery based on watching my loss. A few people who are MO decided to "go another route" after hearing of my extreme complications… Just by "being," I attract and repel some folks to or from WLS. I could be super "Hush-Hush" about it, but in a town this small, my intentions or level of "Openness," wouldn’t change a thing. No "Billboard," But I did run on the back-page of a few area newspapers every Friday for a few months. Even before that, It was widely known I had lost over half of myself with WLS. There are several of us in this town in the same situation. I do feel sorry for the ones who are seen as living examples of- "She had the surgery and never lost her weight." If I were in their shoes I would feel horrible with everyone "knowing." Random Public Accountability? Well-Politicians, and Britney? But "just us folks? We should be able to shave our heads at will!!! Not just when losing a bet! Do what "Works for You!" Best Wishes- Dx

If you want to, than go for it.  It does seem like you are in a good situation for it.  I told everyone that I could and was very surprised at the level of support.  There were no negative comments at all.  Good luck Scott

Sonny, I was like Scott and told everyone who would listen.  99% of the people I told were very supportive of my decision to have the surgery.  Those same people have been supportive also the past 15 months. Another reason I told everyone is that I was proud of the fact that I was going to do something positive to lower my weight.  I was 450 pounds at the time of surgery, so people could certainly see the need for the surgery. But the bottom line is this is your decision.   Dan

 

The only reason why I'm at all hesitant is that there's a belief that the surgery is the magic bullet and you don't also need a lifestyle change. I make sure to emphasize that yes I had the surgery, but I also work out 6 days a week, never eat sugar, drink lots of water, etc. I try to help educate about the experience.

Hey Sonny, Well, for me, it's complicated. I don't run around telling folks that I've had surgery, it rarely comes up to be honest. But, if I'm confronted about how I lost the weight, I'm honest about the whole experience. I don't really care what the response is. The decision was mine to make, and I made it for me, period. The few people, outside of family members, that have known about the surgery since the beginning, are absolutely astounded at the weight loss and have had nothing but positive things to say about it.  The reasons I feel this way: 1. Who had to carry the extra weight? me 2. Who had to sleep with the CPAP because of sleep apnea? me 3. If I had a heart attack, who would've died? me 4. Who has/had to do the work to lose the weight? me 5. You see where I'm going with this I'm sure! Have a Great Day!

Ronnie, I was going to reply to this post, but found that yours said everything I was going to say.   I feel exactly the same way about people knowing.  I would add that most people are not sitting around thinking about others all the time anyway, so sometimes we all may flatter ourselves that anyone even would care that we had it! Ken

Exactly!