How did you handle your WL on facebook?

well when I came back from Mexico and having the surgery I had lots of messages from family asking how I did, how everything was going etc.... My mom didn't know I didn't want everyone to know so I basically just announced it so there wouldn't be anymore questions. Some were really good about it, some of my friends asked me WHY.

I have senior people asking me at work, some I am ok to tell them what I did. Some come to me for advice, I can't lie but take it privately with them and let them know that others know but not everyone. My supervisor asked me what to do and I could only tell him that to cut back on carbs and push the protein, he is responsible for my leave at work so he knows I was off for surgery for a month last year, someday I might feel comfortable with telling him but I didn't at the time, he just went on about how he gave up soda etc... I just showed him my plate with no bun for the hamburger etc.. Maybe he put two and two together and just don't want to come out and ask as well. I am one of these people that want to help others that struggle and don't want to give them false hope since I know all about being the yo yo dieter for many years.

I've been an open book with everyone - even my FB friends.  I even have a photo album I call the incredible shrinking woman so my friends can follow my progress.  I've only had positive reations and have enjoyed everones support.

You could use the diet and exercise line - cause thats what you do - just with a little surgical assistance. 

 This is what I posted on Facebook the other day......


I've been going back and forth on what to post or not to post to Facebook! My view is that if I'm willing to have it published in a newspaper than why not post it here.... But even with that I do filter what I say and post. Today I realized that there are going to be posts in July asking how I am and how did my surgery go... Surgery? Yep you heard right I'm having survey July 17th. Why? To behealthier of course ;). So knowing that it is just easier to post afterward that I'm alive and well I figured I would just let everyone know now what is going to happen! Besides I get warm and fuzzy feelings when folks comment or message me! However I have to temper that with the fact that my page is used for mixed purposes.... And I do want to take you my fb friends into account! So please on health related things.....Post comments to a post I make or send a fb message or email me at [email protected]. Don't post pics or separate well wishes as it will be just too much for me and everyone to wade through.... If I keep things grouped soooo much easier on me! Okay I know some of you will ignore what I just typed or not read this... And that's okay... We are all a family in some ways... And that is how families react to stuff. Anyway if you need or want more details please let me know... Happy to chat to those that want that level... Otherwise on my wall... Will just try and keep these types of health related posts to a minimum! After all I come to fb to be entertained and find cool things.... Don't you?

I haven't told a soul except my husband and I plan to keep it that way. The only people I mentioned the sleeve surgery to were two very close friends/family members that I felt could use the information. Only I told them that my friend had it done (and didn't fess up that it was me. They didn't suspect I had it done because I am a lightweight and my weight loss is slower so it doesn't show as drastic as a heavier weight) but both people balked at the idea of surgery and how it's not healthy to do that and they want to do it "the right way". Right then and there I realized that if someone is sick of being obese, they know surgical options exist and they can research and figure it out just like I did. Most (heavy) people who haven't done any homework on surgical options are the ones that are against it and I don't feel the need to "educate" anyone, especially when it pretty much bites me in the butt anyway.

I have lost over 50 lbs now and some people are JUST now commenting on it. Probably because I look normal now and I was still chubby 20 lbs ago. Or perhaps because I'm wearing for fitted clothing now so it shows more. I have only had about 2 ppl ask HOW I did it. And I told them the truth: I don't eat white carbs and I have 5 very small "snack sized meals" per day. I focus on protein and don't really crave the carbs anymore. I realize if someone is really familiar with WLS then those statements might kind of "out" myself but so be it.

Most of the pics of me on FB are headshots anyway so while you can tell my face is thinner it's not a big shout out that I've lost TONS of weight.

As for people commenting on the loss, it still makes me very uncomfortable for people to say how great I look. It's nice, don't get me wrong but some people go on and on and it's embarrassing. I wonder when I will be okay with that. Maybe NEVER because I've never been good at accepting compliments. lol

Good luck to you! Might help to post periodically about your exercise routines so people might assume it's just that instead of WLS! ha ha

I'm awful at accepting compliments, too!  They make me blush (and I'm not one to be easily embarrassed typically).  If you figure out how to fix that, let me know! haha

This was a tough one for me at first.  I never really mentioned it much on facebook... but everyone who knew me well in real life knew about the surgery... and I still don't really make much mention of it on facebook except to a friend I went to highschool with who just had RNY in May.  He has been very open and everytime he posts a new pic (what he calls his biweekly Operation Half-a-man Mission picture), I like it and then ask him how things are going... sometimes a dialogue goes from there which I'm sure other friends of ours see.  At first I was not very open about my surgery to begin with, however, I now tell most people.  I have made many friends since surgery and I have been completely open to them about it.  I have had people ask me about it and even have a friend I have met since surgery who is considering it for herself because of my results. 

I now know there are some people that I am friends with on facebook, like friends of mine from college, who had no idea that I had surgery until I told them at a recent wedding shower we were all at and asked me about my weight loss, but had all seen pictures of me.  Facebook can be helpful in that situation.... my friend's husband actually said to me that the only way he recognized me was from my picture on facebook... otherwise he would not have known it was me... and I've known them for 14 years... but the last time he saw me, I was 289 lbs.

 i only told close friends and family so whenever i post a new pic i get the typical "wow you look great!"  i just "like" the comments and if someone asks how i did it (which they have not yet in public) i message them privately.  

 I'm not sharing with Facebook mainly because I'm not sharing with family- I'm not ashamed but I do know they'll talk behind my back about it because they've done it about others having surgery and I don't need that, I also have some of my teens friends in my friends list and I think it would be an issue there so for me it's easier not to tell.
As for photos if there are people in particular that you know will make an issue about it block them from seeing the pic's you can even make a group of people-they won't know-and block them all at once from certain pics and or updates or you just  have selected people see pics/updates  by only allowing those you select when posting.
Its a very personal choice whether to tell or not and basically once you've told you can't untell.

Everyone on my FB are friends and family people I actually know. I share my journey and post You Tube videos where I have made new WLS friends. I'm so excited about my decision and the health results I have had that I just shout it out! I get so much support from my FB friends and family.