Job Interviews - Bring it up, don't mention it ???

OK, I haven't worked in a while, over  a year.  I took some time off, made a lot of changes in my life, including but not least of all my gastric bypass. I'm at a point now that I want to get a part-time job of some sort in the legal field, which I am studying, to "get my feet wet."  I worked previously in a completely unrelated field, so it's a big switch from what I used to do to a law office, court, corporate legal department, or non-profit. So, in an interview, if someone asks me about my life, why I'm changing careers, etc., or some other question about "change" or "personal growth" or something, should I bring up the gastric bypass.  Or, not discuss it.  It's certainly nothing I'm afraid of or ashamed of, in fact, I'm really pro-surgery, and I think the statistics now back up the fact that WLS isn't as dangerous as once thought, and helps a whole lot of people with not just weight but with co-morbities etc. But, the thing is, I don't know if thin people would get it or not.  Would they be inspired by my choice to have gastric bypass?  Would telling them about it, about my weight loss, etc., be a good thing?  Or, would it turn them off? I had an interview today, just for an internship which might have turned into a job.  I thought about brining up the WLS when the two women doing the interview, one from the legal department, one from human resources,  asked me about changing careers, etc., but they were both thin as rails, and I didn't know if they would get it. Is it even appropriate at all to talk about health issues in a job interview?  I have only had a handful of interviews, and worked just a couple of places, in my life, so I don't really know what the rules are.

I just can't see how it's relevant. Am I missing something?

If you want to include that that you wanted to completely change your life to include losing excess weight. However they do not need to know you WLS'd. Keep in mind that some people that has never walked in our shoes, thinks WLS is the easy way out.

I don't see how it's relevant either...i mean unless you were interviewing at  ObesityLaw.com or something. Scott

Leave it alone.  I would no more mention that than I would mention that I was a democrat or republican, christian, jew or muslim, or anything else personal.  Stick to the task at hand and don't vary from it until you get a feel for what would appeal to the interviewer.  Unless your surgery gives you an advantage over other applicants, leave it out. CB

A general rule of thumb is that, unless you are ABSOLUTELY positive that a verbalized statement will aid your chance of success, keep it to yourself.  This applies to all personal matters, not just WLS. Interviews are all about HAPPY, HAPPY, GOOD GOOD GOOD!  You never know what preconceived notions those skinny ****s might have, concerning this matter.   Best to distract them with something shiny, while delivering your spiel  

Do not offer the information. At worst they may decide not to hire you because they are afraid of complications of the surgery running up the insurance. The law (Hippa ) (spelling)  states that you don't have to tell them jack squat about your medical conditions, nor would I . the information can only be used against you and will never help you.

See - I think I have a different take on this. The local papers have been following my weight loss - I've posted the articles here when they came out.  In fact, the reporter that's been following me through this told me he's going to be contacting me again this summer for another follow up. So .. I have an idea that when I finally start interviewing (My goal is late summer), there's a fair to middling chance they're going to know about my weight loss stuff already.   The way I look at it, an interview is about putting everything positive on the table.  Experience, education, work ethics, and anything else positive.  For me - the weight loss is a HUGELY positive thing in my life.  I don't need to bring the personal stuff, like dunking big Jim and the Twins when I sit to go potty, but the fact that it's made it possible to go to school and further my education for my career, and that it's made it possible for me to even get out of the house to work - I can't see how that's not relavant, nor that I shouldn't mention it. It's just me - and this is after four years of not working because of my weight.

Hmmm Dan.... to answer why the mid life change...."I've decided to make changes in my life....including working on myself" not a whole lie...but not a whole truth.... but unless the topic is give us an example of how ou can be determined.... I would say let it alone...you have other good things to say about your self....

I wouldn't mention it unless specifically asked. No gain that I can see.