Question...

How do you handle the subject of your surgery with peopel you barely know? Do you tell people you are having WLS? Now that I have a date I am having to explain to people I barely know that I will be out of commission for at least a few days but I don't know how comfortable I feel telling what are basically strangers about my surgery! How did you all handle this? Lisa Huffstetler

If they ask me why, then I tell them which usually leads to a whole big conversation about the risk involved and can I handle not being able to eat and why am I doing this. I just tell them that there is risk involved in everything that we do and I am just tired of being in pain and feeling bad all the time. So far, most everyone I have met has been very understanding and if they aren't, I tell them that unless that have had to deal with being morbidly obese, then they can't possibly understand. I had a lady try to get me to join weigh****chers with her and she only had to lose 5 lbs to reach her goal. Good Grief!!!

Thats what I'm worried about! I am VERY comfortable in my decision, I just don't feel up to justifying it to people I barely know, expecially 1 week before my surgery! But I feel like I owe some kind of explanation! I guess I'll just play it by ear!! Thanks! Lisa

I just told them. This surgery was for me not for them and if they didnt' like it it really didn't matter to me what they thought. Anne

Thats kind of how I am...but I don't really feel like defending myself! But, on the whole, people have been more respectful of my decision than I expected! Lisa

Thats kind of how I am...but I don't really feel like defending myself! But, on the whole, people have been more respectful of my decision than I expected! Lisa

I told two people ... my husband and adult daughter what I was having done. I told my boss I was going to be out for female surgery (I am a female and it was surgery on me). No one else needed to know and they still don't need to know 14 months later. DeeDee

Don't people ask questions about your weight loss? I don't think I'll have a problem talking about it after the fact, I'm just a little unsure what to say beforehand. I think the female surgery idea is a good one though! Thanks! Lisa

Hi Lisa, you do what makes you comfortable. I just tell people that I am going to have the surgery, and don't explain anything further. They don't ask and I don't tell. I have talked with other obese patients while sitting in my PCP's office, and they are like I was a year ago. NEver heard about it. Told them to talk to their PCP to see if they are a good candidate. No one is a stranger to me. I'll talk to anyone. If you don't want to tell anyone, don't, but I haven't had a problem telling them that it's my choice and that I want a healthier life then the one I currently have being obese. God be with you, kathy

I can see myself doing that AFTER the surgery! I've just been very private with it beforehand! But most people have been very supportive! Lisa