Did you tell people about your Lap-Band? Should I tell people about my impending procedure?
My boyfriend knows, obviously. My sister and my dad know, and my dad's wife. I assume my sister's husband knows. That's all. Haven't told anyone else, and I'm not exactly at the beginning of the process.
My very first consultation was in May of 2012. At the time, I couldn't afford the Lap-Band, and was too stubborn to ask my dad to help me out (even though, as he tells me now, I really should have just asked). So I spent a year and a bit mulling it over, reading stuff, going to the seminars, trying to convince myself that I can lose weight on my own, all the while gaining almost 20 pounds.
So here I sit. Surgery date booked (October 11). Liver shrinking diet begun. Liquid diet to being in a couple weeks. And almost no one knows.
Now, my friends are definitely going to notice if all of a sudden I stop "social eating." Snacks are abundant at our get-togethers, socializing over dinners, and at the weekly stitch 'n bitch. I camp and hike a lot with friends, they'll notice when my food consumption goes from massive to menial.
Here's what I'm afraid of: I'm afraid that people will think that I'm copping out by having the Lap-Band and taking the easy way out; that I don't have to work as hard as other people; or, that I have an excess of money. None of those things are true, but I am bothered by the fact that someone might think one of those things of me. And in turn, I'm bothered that at the age of 32, I still care what people think.
Are my friends going to care? I hope not. My family didn't - in fact, they were more supportive than I was expecting. But weight-loss surgery is like the military, or vaccines, or religion. It seems like everyone has a strong opinion that they are unwavering on.
Do I tell? Did you tell?
I told a few close friends but did not tell coworkers or a whole range of other friends & acquaintances. I think you need to tell anyone who you know will be part of your weight loss support system. If you're not sure, don't tell them yet. If they notice you eating less, just tell them you are trying to lose weight or eat more healthfully.
ReplyDeleteAnd even if someone does think it's the "easy" way out, so what? You will know how hard you are working, and you don't need to defend yourself to anyone else.