glad to be here

Aside from my husband, our adult children know and my mother knows.  (She lives near us and would find out quickly anyway.  I've also told the Priest and Head Warden at my church.  My absence will be noticed.)

My greatest fear is the stigma society places on WLS, and that people will think I'm weak and have no will power.  Normally I don't care what people think of me; they can take it or leave it.  I'm a pretty secure person but the anticipation of peoples' comments if I lose weight rapidly stresses me out.

Your comment on the stigma on WLS touches a nerve for me. If I had a nickel for every time I've ever heard "Weight loss is easy, just stop eating so much!" I'd give Warren Buffet a run for his money! This is something I've struggled with too...as a person with a history of chronic depression, I tend to obsess over emotional issues, and the idea that I'm "weak" because I'm having this surgery has popped up in my head a few times. I've finally gotten to the point where I'm comfortable with the idea of WLS as a tool. I'm not weak for wanting to use a tool that's available and has a history of working pretty darn well for many people. It would be weak to not take advantage of it, IMO! I could just sit back and let my diabetes and high blood pressure destroy my body, but instead I'm finally taking charge of my health and using a method which, while a bit radical, will give me the best chance of success.

Regarding my personal support system, my husband knows of course, and I've told my young adult son. I've also told quite a few acquaintances, just because I know there will be questions later about my weight loss, and I'd like to prepare folks for the upcoming changes. The one person I haven't told is my mother-in-law, because she's a terrible gossip and I've learned the hard way that any health information I share with her will be shared with the world, and I'd rather be in control of who knows about my medical issues and who doesn't.

To the original poster, hang in there and good luck!

BTW - In case you're wondering, I teach tech art so I'm on the computer ALL day and evening... so if I get a notification I just answer it right then. Just didn't want you all to think I was hovering over my computer with nothing else to do! ;-0

Im the 16th too!

I'm so glad to meet you all! I'm going to be bugging everyone! I have supportive family...but nobody "gets"what I'm going through. I'm here for anyone who needs support!

Looks like so far I'm alone on the 17th, but have buddies going on the 16th and 18th.  I love that there are so many of us to ask and answer questions of each other, share our feelings and victories, and to know we have a solid base of support here.

I am not getting notifications, and I set up the site!  I've got to go back and review all the settings.  **sigh**

Karen

Karen, you have it perfect in the middle..I'm also glad we all have each other .thank you so much for setting this up!