telling others... A LOT of others

So, here is my predicament. Two years ago I had surgery and have been largely successful with the whole thing. Still about 10-15 lbs to lose, but maintaining a solid 130 lb loss. A year after my surgery, I moved away from home to go to medical school. I am now a second year in medical school, and one of the teachers that happens to know about the surgery because she is my advisor has asked me to speak to the class as a patient about my experience.
I really haven't told anyone about the surgery since I moved out and I'm a little torn as to what to do. On the one hand, I think it's important that a whole class of future physicians gets educated about weight loss surgery, especially considering the number of misconceptions and falsehoods that people have about it. On the other hand, I don't know if I want all my classmates all up in my buisness. I have to see these people daily, and many I consider good friends, but others are petty, rude and inconsiderate a-holes. Any thoughts from people out there? I'm really not sure what to do.

In my opinion, I would not do it. I t is very commendable of you to want to "set things straight" but it is not your responsibility to do it. If it makes you uncomfortable ,then don't. It is hard enough to deal with our own issues .Sometimes dealing with other peoples stuff is just too much.

Maybe instead you can suggest some reading materials or maybe know someone who would be more comfortable.

In a nutshell what I am saying Is , If you are not comfortable don't do it.
Tia

I feel where you're coming from. Personally, I think it's unfair for you to be put on the spot in such a way; you still have to learn alongside these people but if you feel the pros far outweigh the cons, I say 'Go for it!'. Good luck!

If you aren't comfortable sharing I would thank your advisor for the opportunity, but let her know you don't feel comfortable telling your experience to the entire class.

Personally I see my surgery as part of who I am, I would do it and  as you said let your class know about the misconceptions and falsehoods.  You have been a success, if you want to share with your class you are a walking billboard as to the success this procedure and lifestyle change can offer.   However, it is not your obligation to inform all of your classmates.   If you do decide to do it you have to be prepared for the people who don't know what to say so they say stupid things....it always happens.

hi, this is a hard desition. I personaly would do it. im very proud of my surgery andi  feel confortoble about sharing with people and the chance to educate and share ur suceess with others is great oportunity it might help others.
but is ur chooise if you think this a-holes can make your  study and residence harder don't do it, u don't have to do anything you don`t want. but they maybe respect you to have the corage to share your story and the sucees you had. so its up to you!
good luck!
hugs.

I would speak out about it. But I am really open like that. You could maybe change a few minds about the surgery.

But if you feel it would in some way jeporadize your career then I would not do it.

Maybe I'm way self-sacrificing or something, but I would do it. I do tend to be an open person... I have some guidelines over who I tell at this point though... I tell other obese people whenever I get the opportunity, and I always tell doctors and usually close friends. I don't want all my old high school friends to know or anything, and I don't really want too many acquaintances knowing without me having time to give them a basic explanation of benefits and risks, etc. I'm generally open to talking about it if I can give an explanation.

I think anyone who doesn't understand the surgery after the explanations are given for why I and many others have it, is probably a moron most others won't listen to anyway. From my experiences most people who feel badly about the surgery really understand once they know about it thoroughly especially when they see a successful post-op. It's really hard to deny results! Besides, if you do decide to go through with it, there will be one more roomful of people that have heard of at least one WLS success story, instead of just all the deaths.

However, if you're really worried that telling people would affect you and you aren't comfortable doing it, then don't do it. You won't be letting anyone down by not going.

Im going to go out on a limb here and say no way! If these were not your classmates then it would be a different story, but these are a-holes in medical school (you dont count!). Ive delt with enough doctors (graduates of medical school right?) who judge you about everything.
If you were giving a presentation to a med school that you werent attending that would be different, aka you would not know those people on a personal level.
I just think of whenever I go somewhere and I have a clueless individual who means well, and someone says something like "you look nice" and never knew that I was 120 lbs heavier 8 months ago and someone chimes in "Yeah she just lost 100 lbs!" Now all the other person is doing is imagining how fat and gross and repulsive I am and cant just see me as a regular person anymore and has to ask me 1,000 questions about diet.
Im more then happy to discuss my experiance with anyone who knew me pre-surgery but new people I prefer to leave the gory details out.

You will know whats best for you because you can always tell your head to shut up but your heart will know the right answer

How abut a compermise?  Ask if you can write out your experiences and things you want to set straight and have your teacher read the infomation to the class as an annomous patient documentation?

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the input, I got caught up in a major test we had last week and didn't have time to reply, but I really appreciate the input. After considering it, I decided that I will do it. It's really not going to effect me career wise, and I think I may be able to do some good. Also, I have a set group of friends that I know and trust, and really I should stop caring what everyone thinks. Thanks again, you guys are the best!