keeping my WLS journey from friends and family

I was pretty open about it before surgery and have been more open since.  Most of the remarks I have gotten have been "good for you".  No horror stories before surgery although after, I did hear about a few friends parents, relatives, etc that hadn't done well.  I was very positive about it and noone tried to talk me out of it.

It is personal.  Do whatever makes you feel the best about it. 

 I told NOONE and  im so glad!!   I had ONE friend pick me up and help me through the first few weeks thats it !    And it worked out PERFECTLY  .  

NO  ignorant opinions  .

No horror stories .  

no "cheating "  accusations behind my back ... 

I've come full circle. I originally felt EXACTLY the same way you do. I just wasn't up for any negative feedback, and ignorant opinions. I was scared enough as it was and didn't want fuel being fanned into the fire.

My goal was to sneak off, have surgery. Sneak back, while taking a week off to "fall clean" as well as visit my daughter at her "college". All of this was true (Although my daughter visited ME in the hospital instead of the other way around). I actually did organize my clothes during that week off.

As I became comfortable in my new life, I decided to tell certain people, but only after they "noticed" my weightloss. It is surprising how much weight a person can lose before the masses even take note! Then there is the spell where you are simply so darn small, that EVERYBODY notices.

I figure at this point (Going on 10 months out) everyone knows, and if there are a few that don't, they must live under a rock! I don't offer it, but NEVER deny it either. Most are supportive, and I make it clear that this was MY decision, and it was HUGE. I don't care to hear anything negative, and also tell people I want to be a good role model for what WLS can do for someone. So far everything is going smoothly.

Now this week-end we will attend our friends' daughter's wedding. I find myself getting excited to wear my new sundress, and at the same time wonder who is going to nearly "faint" when they see my new size 4 (!!!!!!!!!!) body. Should be interesting.

I say too, do what is right for YOU. This is a personal journey, and you don't owe the "masses" anything more than what you are comfortable with. I will also say though, that if you live in a small town, there is NO WAY that eventually people won't figure it out. An awfully lot of weight gets dropped in a short amount of time. Just remember to come to terms with your decision. It'll all fall into place. GOOD LUCK.

I considered it to be a SACRED bit of information, rather than a secret... and it is indeed sacred to ME.  I was very careful who I told.  Since surgery, when anybody notices I just tell them thank you for noticing.  If they pursue it and ask how I've done it, I smile and tell them I reached a point where I was willing to change my eating and exercise habits rather than live another day without being able to wipe my butt.  That definitely stops the questions.

ROFLOL!!

I'm sorry... I'm sooooo baaaaaad.   lol

I only told my DH and Mom but DH told his mom.  I eventually told my brother but that was  6 mos after the surgery.  I was hoping it would encourage him to do the same... it didn't.   So the part about DH telling his mom.  She has told everyone she knows. Thank god she lives 6 hrs away!

Good luck
Sheri

I think you should do what you are comfortable with.

Me? I want the world to know about WLS so I tell everyone. I know some people discount what I've accomplished because I had WLS, but I think they are morons, so there! LOL

But not everyone wants to be the poster child for WLS and I think that's fine, too. The main thing is: you can always chose to tell more people at some point but you can't untell people. So only tell people you are comfortable telling when you are comfortable doing it.