To tell or not to tell...

So many folks who go through with Weight Loss Surgery are ashamed over their decision, I cant tell you how many stories I have read of people who have kept this secret from family, friends, even spouses and children. Its not always just kept from skinny friends and family either who do not understand the difficulty of dealing with being overweight, many times its kept from overweight people as well. The backlash many people receive is amazing and not in a good way. You see this decision is not an easy decision. Its not a cure all for weight problems, it is simply a tool to help an overweight person lose weight, just as a gym membership is a tool as well. So many well meaning people will suggest the overweight person should just work out more, go for a walk or eat healthier, choose smaller portions, don't eat out, don't drink soda, don't eat processed foods, blah, blah, blah. If only it were that easy.

I have seen some of the most healthy eaters struggle with their weight. Ive seen families full of healthy eaters that exercise all the time struggle with their weight. The "well meaning" comments like the above often lead the overweight person to feel like a failure because they have tried and never succeeded. THis often leads to more weight gain from depression over failing. Its a vicious cycle.

At my WLS orientation, the doctor stated that once a person hits a certain BMI (and I have hit that BMI years ago and have struggled since then) that 90-95% of people who lose the weight will regain it all.


As for me, I am not ashamed that I have chosen to have the VSG but I'm also not sure I want to go around broadcasting my business to all our friends. I do wish I could be one of those skinny girls that never struggles with their weight, that can eat anything under the sun and never exercise yet stay the same weight, but thats just not how my body is, so I know that having the VSG is a big step in the right direction.

So in comes in the decision, who do I tell about my upcoming surgery? Right now our immediate families know, some people from Church know, my closest friends know and some of my hubbys superiors know as he has had to take time off for appts and will need time off for my surgery and of course anyone who comes across my blog knows too ;)

But do I want to tell people on facebook? Then EVERYONE I know will know. I'm not sure I want to do that. I wonder how to handle surgery day, Id like to ask for prayer for that day on facebook but then people will ask what surgery I'm having. Hmm not sure what to do on that one. People will obviously notice me losing a good amount of weight in a short period of time and if they ask, yes I will tell them about the VSG but should I really tell everyone? The people I haven't seen in years and just read status updates on from time to time? I guess I will cross that bridge post surgery....