Hopefully I won't regret opening up

I chat casually with one of the supervisors who work for me. She's been talking with me about her daughter who she is concerned about her weight. She's mentioned her daughter brought up surgery, and has been telling me what she's heard from other people experiences.

Today she came to me and said she was gonna encourage her daughter to do lap-band. Ugh- I couldn't in good conscience let her advise he daughter badly. So I told her about my surgery, (making a point to say I don't typically discuss it at work) and said I would talk to her daughter if she wanted me to. She doesn't feel her daughter is mature enough, and I always worry for 20 something's who pursue it.

This is also my employee I've had to chat with twice about gossiping, so I could be setting myself up. But my anonymity isn't as important to me as making sure someone I know can make an informed decision about surgery. I'm sure they already talk about me in some fashion- maybe this would just give them new dirt to dish :-)

Its awesome that you put yourself out there like that in order to help someone else. I would have done exactly the same thing. Those bands should be taken off the market!

I hope she respects your wishes and I think it's awesome that you were open and shared.

I think you are a great person to share with someone. It can be very scary.

I do believe sharing with others does help us.

I can totally relate to this situation. I was (am still usually am) so freaked out about people gossiping or judging my decision to have the rny. I live in a small "city" and grew up with people who are always gossiping and putting themselves into everyone's business. It's so awkward and invasive. Just remember that it was your choice for YOU and you don't have to explain yourself or give anyone the power to make you feel uncomfortable. You put yourself out there to help someone who needed a good steer in the right direction out of the empathy and love in your heart. If anything, you should be proud. Putting yourself out there is hard. For what it's worth, I'm proud of you

Dude, if you save even one person from a lap-band, it's worth it!

Jen

You did a good and brave thing.

No one should have to suffer with a lap band.

That was a very nice thing you did and saved her daughter a lot of possible physical pain.

i put myself out there before and shared when so far out I could just keep my mouth shut. My hair salon, no one there knew as a different town and I had it many years before. The receptionist who worked there was contemplating WLS she was about 450 and many health issues. I knew it would benefit her. I felt it was the right thing to do. I shared and asked her to not share with everyone... well she did. Even after she had surgery and was out a year, I went to the bathroom and coming back out I caught her discussing me with another client! Total gossip. I learned my lesson. She is that way. In your case saving an innocent girl from unnecessary pain really you will not have regrets. I do feel the other woman in the salon view me differently... one mentioned to me once that another client is thin but unlike you they are naturally thin! Not with WLS. Less respect then before. The whole WLS stigma. My hair looks great that is all I should care about (my husbands advice!) these people are not my friends even though I am there close to monthly. I hate gossip and unkind and really a lot of time mean or jealous people!

(edited to fix a couple sentences)