I did not keep mine a secret.  I told and stil tell anyone that wants to listen.  When they find out how I lost the weight, gasp, shock, well I never, blah blah. :)
Now, they are more interested because I have reached my goal.  My daughters were completely against it but, guess what, one wants a lap-band and the other decided she would like gastric bypass!  Wonderful.  I truly hope they do because they are obese, like I was.  Yes, I did look sick for a while because of the loose skin, etc. but oh my, I am so happy with my body being little and having more energy!
If anyone has questions that irritate you, simply refer them to your doctor or give them copies of your information you received before your surgery.  Sometimes, they really are interested.

JOY

 I decided to keep my surgery a secret from most people.  It's not that I am not proud of my decision, I just felt it wasn't really any of their business.  A few of my close friends know and my family.  I tried to keep from my in laws, but my hubby told them and they proceeded to tell everyone, which was kind of annoying.  However, I haven't had that many questions or looks of concern.  My co-workers all ask me how I am losing all this weight and I have a hard time sometimes not telling them about the surgery, but considering the diet I am on, they all accept that those are the reasons anyway.

I would say it is totally your decision.  There are pros and cons to both sides, I suppose.  I never really heard any horror stories, but I am sure I missed out on encouragement too.

Kaye Bailey is such a source of information.

Im Freezing! Why Gastric Bypass Causes Patients to be Cold

 

Body temperature is the result of your body generating and radiating heat. The body is adept at keeping its temperature within a narrow range even though ambient air conditions vary. A normal body temperature is 98.6 F. It is common during the period of rapid weight loss for bariatric patients to feel cold or chilled, even when their temperature reads normal.

People who experience the massive weight loss associated with weight loss surgery experience feeling cold for two reasons: loss of insulation and less energy generation.

Fat is a highly efficient insulator. Consider animals native to cold climates: for example sea lions and polar bears. They are loaded with insulation and thrive in cold climates. When gastric bypass patients follow the rules: eating protein and exercising, the weight lost can only come from fat or stored energy. In effect you are losing your insulation. Less insulation increases the likelihood that you will feel cold.

The second reason for feeling chilled is that the metabolic cell processes are not working as hard as when you were heavier; it takes fewer calories and less energy to maintain and move a smaller body. Think about using an electric mixer: if you are whipping egg whites for a meringue the mixer will do this task effortlessly. But use the same mixer to knead bread dough and it will become warm to the touch, it is working harder because it is moving more mass. The same thing happens with your body; the more mass it must move, the harder it works. As a result more heat is generated.

The body has two well-tuned mechanisms for regulating body temperature: sweating and shivering. What overweight person hasn't been embarrassed by a sticky bout of sweating at the most inappropriate time? Sweating is a mechanism for cooling your body when it becomes too hot inside. The body rids itself of excess heat by expanding the blood vessels in the skin so the heat may be carried to the surface. When this energy or heat in the form of sweat reaches the skin's surface it evaporates and helps cool the body.

Gastric bypass patients become more familiar with the second temperature regulator, shivering, as they lose weight. When you are too cold your blood vessels will contract reducing blood flow to the skin. The body responds by shivering which creates extra muscle activity to help generate more heat. If you allow your body to shiver it will begin to feel warmer. But this is also a good clue that it's time to put on a sweater or turn up the heat. I think most weight loss patients will happily wear a sweater - a sweater is much easier to shed than that insulation we've worked so hard to lose!

Most weight loss patients report that their body temperature regulates after their weight is stabilized, usually eighteen to twenty-four months after surgery. Keep in mind your body is rapidly losing weight and the rest of your body's functions are caught off guard when this weight loss begins. The body's thermostat needs time to catch up to the weight loss, and it will. Patients who incorporate exercise in their weight loss program experience less chilling than patients who do not exercise.

Just passing through to say how wonderful you look and long time to see or hear!  Miss ya!

Hope all is going well, your job, health, just everything!

Love Ya Darlene......

Your Ohio Friend,
Terrib

I'm an outgoing person, but I usually keep my business private.  I'm glad I had the surgery and I really don't care what people think...it just seems that you're held under a microscope once people find out.  I told 4 of my co-workers who I am really close to.  While they have been really supportive, they are constantly asking me questions.  It is really getting on my nerves!  I don't know if I should have told them now.  In my excitement, I had to tell someone...but now i'm not sure if that was the right thing to do.  Let me know what you guys think.