gradual weight loss?

hello! I'm a newbie and am excited to find this group. Right now I'm in the medical supervised weight loss program prior to ins approval. 6 more pounds and 3 more nutrition meetings to go! I am planning on having the RNY to lose the last 60 pounds. I have read that the weight loss is pretty gradual since we have less weight to lose. Did anyone not tell others they were having WLS? My husband and sister knows but I don't plan on telling anyone else.

Thank you!

It might not be that gradual...many of us get to goal within a year or less...but everyone is different it might take longer than a year for you. I didn't tell anyone but immediate family..kind of regret that now because now it is too late and its a half truth...but you have to do what is right for you..welcome to the board!!

Welcome aboard!

I wouldn't try to lose too much during the pre-op phase, someone could try to pull the rug out from under you regarding having surgery at all. You will most likely lose weight very quickly. The idea that lightweights lose gradually is a myth perpetuated by comments like, "lightweights lose slower". We don't lose slower we just have less to lose so you won't see the same pounds lost as our heavier friends lose but we are losing % wise just as fast.

I didn't tell anyone at work I was having surgery. I had been doing Atkins pre-op and I continued to do Atkins post-op. "They" decided I had back surgery and I helped keep that going. You don't need any negative comments from uninformed friends about your decision to have surgery. Keep it to yourself for right now.

Good luck!

--gina

I didn't tell my in-laws. I absolutely can't stand my SIL and she (who is skinny of course) would of ridiculed me for having WLS.  We told everyone I was having a hiatal hernia reparied which was partialy true since he fixed my pretty gnarly hernia that I've been suffering with since I was pregnant with my first 3 years ago.  If it were me I'd just tell them you were having surgery for GERD or something like that if you have it.  RNY helps with GERD so it wouldn't be a total lie.  At first I felt guilty about lying to my in laws, but there is no reason for me to be bullied about changing myself for the better.

Since you only have 60 pounds to lose you may lose pretty slowly, but it is hard to say since everyone is different.  I average 3-4 pounds a week.  Not too fast, but not too slow.  Some weeks I've lost 5 or 6 and others it's been 1 or 2.  Our weight loss usually goes slower because there is less of us, but from what I've read we usually reach our goal faster. 

Welcome!  I did not tell anyone except a few family members and some of them were after the fact because like you, my SIL is a *****  In any event, I too had been doing Atkins prior to Surgery and everyone knew it. I told work I was having Hernia surgery and only took 3 days off.  By the time my Weight loss was noticeable and people began commenting I lost it quick I simply state that it was the change in seasons and clothes, i.e. bulky to tight! 

Do what feels comfortable. The weight loss will happen weather gradual or fast, doesn't matter ultimately you will be healthy. 

Good luck.
Sheri

Everyone has their reasons for whether they tell or not and you need to do what's best for you and your family.  I'm one who chose to tell and I've never regreted it because I know I wouldn't be able to live keeping a secret and having to make up stories for my surgery and weight loss.

I told my immediate family, a few friends and a couple of people at work (they had RNY previously and were very helpful to me). If someone asks I tell them about it and am not ashamed, but I usually don't volunteer it.  However...when I went into the office yesterday (I have been telecommuting) most people were telling me I looked great and how am I feeling now...so obviously the cat's outta the bag there!) If they were negative about my surgery, they were only talking behind my back about it

I have a family reunion this summer and not sure yet what I am going to do....my mom just suggested that I tell people that I have been working hard at my weightloss....which I have.  But I do have a few cousins that are quite heavy and could benefit from WLS....but I think they like their blended beverages too much to give them up....

Make sure you are still a 35 BMI on your surgery day cause they could deny payment otherwise.

As for losing slower, not so....I'm pretty typical and I'm down 53 lbs since I signed into the surgeons office and 50 from my surgery day just about 4 1/2 months ago. I have 4 lbs to go to normal BMI and 14 - 19 lbs to MY goal weight. My body may decide differently. But in a little over 4 months, I've lost over 90% of my excess weight.

Liz

welcome Okeydoke.
I told some folks, but my situation was a bit wonkey. Tell who you think will be supportive!

I had more than 60 lbs to lose -- 98 according to the BMI charts. I'm only 3 1/2 months out, and have lost 45 lbs since my surgery, plus 11 the week before surgery.

Goodluck and keep us posted!
tracey

Thank you everyone for your responses! I guess for me, I just don't feel comfortable with too much attention, both positive and negative. However, I do not feel comfortable lying. I guess I'll just wait and see. So far I have lost 14 lbs (my ins requires me to lose 20 prior approval) since April and no one has really said anything. I am hoping to have the surgery in July. Any suggestions in how to get my body prepared for it?