To al you "lightweights"

I told very few people before my surgery.  Just a few close friend and the girls that I work with on night shift.  I have asked everyone to keep it private, but it never takes things long to get out.  I am not sure now that I am post op how I am going to deal with it.  I am hoping to lose slowly so that I may not have to explain it.

Good luck with your surgery and your decision.

I am expecting my surgery date to be in mid-late November.  The only people who know are my kids and my husband, because they have to.  We may tell my sister in law because she has to take care of the kids on surgery day, or we may just tell her I am having gall bladder surgery.  Not sure yet.  But, she tends to be a blabber mouth, so I am leaning towards not telling her about RNY.  People in my husbands family are very judgemental about everything, and they love to gossip! So, I don't need to add fuel to the fire, if you know what I mean.  They might figure it out down the road if I lose really fast, but I don't think anyone would have the guts to come out and ask me. I don't feel embarrassed or insecure about the idea of having WLS or explaining to someone who asks, but I also don't feel the need to shout it proudly through the rooftops either. 

I too am terrified that it won't work, because hell, nothing else has!  So, why should this be any different?  Because it HAS to be.  We are going through EXTREME measures, physically altering our insides to get healthy and lose weight - but it comes with many risks, and a lot of sacrifice.  I totally get where you are coming from, but at the same time, I am trying to retrain my thought process before this surgery, before my new journey begins.  Because if I don't, then I know it won't work.

And, If you don't want to tell anyone, or just a few people, then don't.  It's no one's business.

I took the other approach about telling people.. I know people WILL talk about what's going on with me.. so I just beat them to it. I tell anybody who asks. If people are going to to talk about it , I'd rather they know the truth then to just speculate behind my back. Of course, some may not like the choice I've made.. but by showing them how well I'm doing and letting them know that I'm happy with my choice- maybe it will open minds a bit.

Linda

Good luck to you Kim.

I live in a very small town where most everyone knows what is going on.  I talked very open about my surgery and still do to anyone who wants to know.  I did feel embarassed that I had to take this route and I could not do it on my own - now it does not bother me because this is the best thing that I've done for myself in a long time.  I could lose weight, but always gained it back.  I've been on every diet medicine and every plan out there just about.

I'm still doing the hard work that anyone who loses weight has to do.  Meal planning, watching my eating out, drinking fluids and exercise.  I just happen to have a tool that is helping me along the way.

Do what is comfortable to you about telling others, but if you live in a very small community, most are probably going to figure it out.

Linda

I'm 59 years old and after listening to people tell me I'm "not that heavy" I decided to look into WLS.  I wished I had done it years ago, so much time wasted.  Anyway, I tell anyone who will listen, and I guess because I state it so positively, I haven't had any negative feedback.  I felt I needed all the support I could get.  As far as maintenance goes, I guess we all just have to take advantage of the "honeymoon period" and get used to a new lifestyle.   I'm really struggling with basing my self-worth on my body image.  I've got a way to go.  Good luck to you Kim.

Thank you EVERYONE... I knew you wouldn't let me down. Although I may need emotional support  along the way, I recognize what I "have" to do!

Again. you girls ROCK!  So glad I found this site!!!

Kim