Newbie here-looking for locals in the know

I just finished my 2nd nutritional visit (the last-yippee!), did the psych thinkg (I'm officially not nuts-who knew!), have yet to schedule my Dr meeting or tell another soul (except the boyfriend) about what I am doing. Is it crazy to keep this secret from everyone in my life? I just discovered this message board and would like to know how others shared or didn't share this decision with others-the why and why nots. Thanks! 

 Jennifer, Welcome!  Believe me this will not stay a secret for long. At first I didn't want ANYONE except my husband (of course we both did this together), my parents and my sister to know. I didn't want my aunts, brothers, cousins, grandparents, co-workers and some friends to know. I felt it was none of their business...it was something I wanted to keep private. It didn't happen tho...my dad told my grandmother because he & my mom were coming along with me for the 3 day hospital stay. My grandma told my aunts...etc. etc. That's how it all starts... Then when you start losing the weight people will ask and wonder how you did it. It happens so fast...and the change is drastic. Even now when I'm asked I just say I don't eat a lot and don't eat sweets, rice, breads, corn and soda pop. I feel bad lying but oh well...its none of their business, right?  I've found that most people have a negative idea about wls. I don't feel like arguing or defending myself. Once people know about the surgery they watch everything you eat. They ask 101 questions...I know they're just curious but it's sorta annoying. Hope that helps. Best of luck to you!  

I shouted it from the roof tops - I told everybody and every chance I get to talk about it with someone I do. I'm very proud of what I have done.  Yes not everyone looks positively on WLS but that's their problem not mine. I do get a lot of questions which I'm very happy to answer.   I did debate weather to tell my aunts, uncles and grandparents but since I only see them once or twice a year I thought by the time I see them I will have lost enough weight that I would get tons of questions and didn't want to have to lie.  So I just told them no its done and I don't have to worry about it. I'm luck so far - no one has told me that I took the easy way out - but if someone does say that to me - I plan to say you may consider what I've done easy but by no means was this easy but I was at a point in my life where I had to do something to get healthy and this was my option. I still have to work just as hard at success as someone without WLS but the key is I have a tool that really helps me achieve my goals. Good luck to you! and don't worry about everybody else what matters is what you think.   

Its nice to think that it doesn't matter what anyoe else thinks but no man is an island unto themselves. I interact with ppl everyday who are going to be asking questions that really are none of their business. I hope after the op I can bave the same attitude you have-maybe not shouting from the rooftops though :) Thanks for the reply!

I decided to tell everyone about the surgery for the simple reason I didn't want them to think I was getting sick, like cancer or something. I did have one person at the office give me the "easy way out" treatment, but I put him in his place rather quickly.  I told him that I had never heard of the concept of exercise, and I had no idea I couldn't eat as much as possible.  I just thought that one day I would wake up and the extra weight would disappear.  I told him he was the first person to tell me that diet and exercise would do wonders for me and my weight.  The I said I would recommend him for a Nobel prize because with that little tidbit of information he really could help a lot of people in the world. Plus I told him to quit smoking, and laid a $20 bill in front of him and said I'll be back to pick that up the next time I see you with a cigarettte. If somebody is going to give me attitude, I come back 10 fold with more attitude.  It usually shuts them up pretty good.  Besides, nobody likes this jerk at the office anyway...so it was fun.

Interesting-I never thought about people assuming I was sick and not just losing weight. I will have to deal with the afters but I'm not sure I need to let anyone know before. Maybe I'll be more proud after the loss vs now with the planning part. Thanks for the reply!

You're right about a ton of questions-and that's just my boyfriend! There is a girl who had the surgery in my office (she works in the back) but I haven't really asked her anything because the ppl at work are the LAST I want to know-its an all female and all older crowd. Talk about being hen-pecked. I imagine the worst case senario when they find out. I'll deal with that then but unless I'm directly asked I think I'll take the same approach as you-just cutting back on unhealthy foods and pop and exercising more (it helps that summer is almost here and I hope to go through with this by July!) Thanks~!

I'm still pre-op and I tell everybody who will listen...I hope I can inspire another person and save them from  alot of the pain that I have gone through as a fat person....I was expecting the worst from everybody....everybody I have shared with has been surprisingly supportive....alot of people have also told me...."my friend has gone through that and she is doing fantastic"  Yes, I must say I have been pleasantly surprised....although I do have a list of all of the appts. ready to list off for the "easy way out" people....as well as the list of meds I will be able to quit.....and the amount of pain that will lifted because of the loss of weight....I will also go on and on about the amount of discipline we will need AFTER the surgery....yadda yadda yadda....I'm just waiting for somebody to say it!!