How did you break it to friends and co-workers?

As you see, everyone has their own way of approaching this :) My way was, before surgery I told my friends and coworkers (and this was true) "so, I had a doctor's appointment and while I'm still healthy now, I probably won't remain healthy if I don't lose weight so I am going to have a procedure and be out of work for a week". No one asked for details or made me feel badly. And after, whenever I saw someone and they exclaimed "OMG! Look at you!", I would say "Oh thanks, yeah I had a procedure and started eating high protein and low carb and exercising and it's working". And that was it. If someone asked who was morbidly obese, I would specifically tell them it was RNY and give more details (if they were curious) but for the most part I just referred to it as a procedure and nothing more. If anyone judges you, f*ck 'em. This ain't easy!

my boss knew because I had to ask for the time off. I also told family and close friends. As for everyone else, when obese people ask me, I tell them the truth. When skinny acquaintances ask, I tell them I worked with a dietitian for two years and exercise like a fiend. Skinny people often believe the diet & exercise schlock. I doubt many obese people would - I wouldn't have.

So everyone is different... but I don't like the phrase "Break it to friends and co-workers"... it sounds too negative... but that's just me.

I told a few people prior to surgery at work... and ALL of my friends. I've never announced it on Facebook, but any acquaintance that has made a comment/asked me how I've lost so much weight, I've sent a private message to.

I also don't just tell them that I've had RNY... I explain (and probably too much so Ha!) that they might think it's the easy way out, but that it takes a ton of work, and that my brain wasn't 'fixed', so it's hardly the easy way out. I go on and on far too much, I'm sure, about how it's not the easy way out.

I've told strangers, especially early on out when I was excited about how quickly I was losing, usually sales people helping me find clothes/bras/ etc.

I am especially open with people that ask me about my weight loss that are overweight themselves. I don't ever want someone struggling to think that I just ate well and lost the weight, and they can't seem to do it. Doesn't feel right to me.

None of my work colleagues' business. If anyone notices and comments I change the subject. We are not here to discuss each other, we're here for our patients.

Family knows. Friends know. I have always drawn a severe and hard line between work and my private life, and it helps. My coworkers know I do not waver on this policy.

I would/ do answer, I have some Digestive issues I am going through. and then I tug at my clothes to cover up. that is normally a good sign that I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!!. My coworkers, some friend know that in October, I need a spot on my liver biopsied, possible fix a hernia, and see what the heck is going on with my tummy, and small/large intestines, for me its easy for them to except that. II do have "strangers" in support groups like this, that are private, and I don't use my birth name. so its easy to talk to others, and get support. I also do have 1 family member, and several friend that do know, because they are going to help care for my child when I go in.

Only 4 people in my life know about it. I have no intention of ever telling anyone else.

I have told everyone from before. Anyone who asks what I am doing, I am honest and open. The only way we will fix the stigma around surgery (which I have only heard about) is that if people talk about it.

If you say oh well I just changed how I ate and exercised more, this gives the wrong message. I am eating pretty much the same way (low carb) and am actually exercising less (life is legit crazy right now) and am a 100 pounds down.

So far no one has been negative. I have had so many wonderful conversations and answered so many questions. I know at least two people who are considering the surgery after a few talks with me about my experiences. All they had heard was the negative. You know 'so and so's great aunt had it done and it went horribly'.

If you are comfortable being an ambassador for this journey then please do so. My experience has been nothing but warm and positive, though your milage may vary.

I feel the same way. Education is imperative when it comes to obesity, and ways to cure it.

Not to mention that RNY has other positive outcomes, for example putting diabetes into remission for so many people. I do have to wonder why the surgery isn't used just for that on so many people.

I am an open book. I told everyone I didn't see any reason for hiding it. I have a lot of health issues that I am dealing with that are getting better thanks to the surgery. The only person that has not been supportive through this has been my boss. She told me that I took the easy way out and I'm 6 weeks out and she still makes her little comments. I just have to let them go. She doesn't understand why I chose this, but I did and I know why and that's all that matters.