If you dont want to tell them right out you can always say you are having gallbladder surgery! They dont need to know specifics. I told my boss flat out about 2 months in advance

I told those closest to me that I was having gastric bypass surgery and got some support and some resistance. The really tough part came later after the weight started coming off. Everyone says, "Wow, you look great............what's your secret"? If I know them pretty well I tell them about the surgery and if I don't I just say, "I'm eating much less food" and I leave it at that.
To talk about it or not is a personal decision, but one you will have to decide about early on. Once the weight starts falling off you will get tons of questions from everyone and all kinds of comments. I had a woman I barely know ask if I had "cancer". Yikes. Your family and friends will most likely be supportive, but be prepared for some tackless idiots who have "no clue" about you or your surgery. Good Luck with your decision and the road ahead.

I told people after my first doctors appointment and it felt official to me. To the people that knew me best it was not a big suprise cus I have been talking about if I should have it or not for years. I'm real close with the women I work with so I told them everything. I had one negative person but I expected as much from them. She kept saying this story over and over how a relative had the surgery and looks sooo bad now like she's dying and she just didn't want me to loose myself lol. Another woman I work with said she was just jealous . Besides that everyone was real happy for me. My store manager has been great with my schedule and gave me 4 weeks off. I thought about keeping it a secret but like I said we are close and it was just a big part of my life the journey I'm on. I am nervous about going back to work and the questions asked exspecially since I work at a plus size store and some times customers say some really crappy things
:-/ and some times I can be a smart ass :-)~

I told my boss fairly early in the process so that she would know why I was asking for so many days off for MD appointments. My husband knew right away. My immediate family knew a few days before surgery and everyone else knew much later. I really didn't tell work people and causual friends until they asked how I was losing weight. It's not that I was ashamed or embarassed, I just did not want any negative comments. I had no need to hear ANYONES opinion on it.

I am still struggling with this, especially with my employer. What I told my boss is that I was going to the Dr all the time for my stomach, as I have IBS, which there is 1 bathroom in my office and everyone is aware of the situation. I told her we were looking for some alternative treatments, as nothing has been working. She accepted that, and then I told her when I was approved they were going to do a surgery, and I explained gastric bypass, but did not call it that. Then she had a meeting and decided I needed to tell everyone, so I did that too. 4 women in my office had lap band, none of them were very successful since they did not really change their eating, and I know they have negative feelings towards gastric bypass.

Everyone has been somewhat supportive, but in the end I have to do this for me. I also have to figure out how to explain this to my clients, as I will be out for a month and then be dropping a ton of weight. I am concern if they don't know, they will think I am very sick, like I have cancer. So far I have told 3 clients, and for the most part they were more concerned with who will take over things when I am gone, one asked if I was okay and if I might not come back, and I reassured her that I would be fine and I would be back as soon as I was better. I have about 50-60 more clients to tell, so we will see how it goes. I purposefully have my surgery date well in advance so I could plan everything ahead, and make sure everyone is good before I go. I also knew that very few of my clients would be having their babies while I as gone, which I felt would be a good time to go.

As for the rest of my friends and family, I think I will just let them figure it out. I think the ones that weren't we will be more supportive when I start getting healthier, feeling better, and loosing weight.

Good luck!

I think i will tell my immediate superviser what my plans are. I am not 100% comfortable talking to her about it but I think I need to be upbfront with her since I will need to take time off for the various appointments. I work in a retirement community and have been there 16 years and there are a good number of residents who have been there as long as I have. Their reactions shoi,d be interesting. I am close to one resident who I think I could confide, but not sure if I would do it until I had a surgery date.

One person I am concerned about telling is my mother. That will be an intetesting conversation LOL she currently thinks I am only seeing the doctor regarding my hernia.

All I told my boss was that I was having abdominal surgery. Only 4 people in my office know. I'm sure a few suspect because they haven't said anything about my weight loss (I'm down 50 lbs!). I eventually told my boss, mostly because of all my post op appts. That and I had to tease him about my "get well gift" he sent while I was off... Chocolate covered Oreos!!!! Hahaha

I'm really close to my boss (at that time), so I told her once I was in the pre-op process. If I had my current boss, I'm not sure when I would have told them.

I'm almost 3 months out and I work in a hospital and I think everyone has pretty much figured out I had gastric bypass. If someone asks, I tell them, I'm pretty open about it.

I did not tell my boss right away
You should have time to fiqure it out
I wouldnt tell them a lie but just pray about the right timing and it will work out

i didnt really tell anyone till the end

but now looking back almost a year later I tell everyone...its the best thing I ever did if I can change a life its worth my story
GOood luck to you

I have only told a very select few that I've had WLS. Others think I am on a high protein, low carb diet and work off daily, which is true. I decided to have surgery early last June due to a co morbidity that was causing severe migraines. Even though I hadn't met with my surgeon yet (that happened in August), I told my boss while we were on a business trip at the end of June. He kept my plans to himself until the very last minute in December, and even then didn't share specifics. This IS highly private, and like Alexis said... You don't HAVE to tell your employer anything. In fact you really only need to tellt hem you are going out for a procedure. Your HR or Leave Admin group get the specifics when you sign up for leave.

I feel that it is entirely up to you as to who and when you tell. Most people are supportive but, occasionally you will find a negative naysayer. I you have confidence in you decision you will know who to tell and when to do it . d

You really are not obligated to tell your boss any more then you need certian time off for surgery. If you are not comfortible discussing it leave it at that. I wouldnt lie about what the specifics are thats never a good idea because it fosters mistrust. Abdomina surgery is good because it is true and not specific. If she asks for specifics then decide how much to tell or just say oh its just a personal issue. Good luck with you journey

I told only a select few when I began the process. I did not even get into the specifics with my employer as legally all he needed to know was that I needed time off for surgery. However once the weight loss begins it is so rapid that people will begin to ask questions; some out of concern since a rapid weight loss like ours could be health related and some are just courious. I have now started to be up front with everyone including my boss and work friends. I have received postive responses. Of course it is up to you when and who you tell and be prepared for a variety of responses. In the end this is our decison and we will do what is right for us. I have lost 115lbs since November 2011 Good Luck

My husband and kids knew when I started the process. I told my parents and siblings once I had my surgery date (that way I was announcing when my surgery date was, not that I was having surgery I didnt want to open the door for them to give me their opinion). I told the people I was closest to at work after Id scheduled the surgery. Others knew I had surgery, but didnt know the specifics. Of course, once I started to lose weight people started asking lots of questions. I never lied or denied having surgery, but I focused on what I was doing different (no Diet Coke, 3 meals a day with no snacking, high protein, no drinking with meals, no sugar, etc). However, it wasnt long before the rumor mill did its thing and everyone knew or thought they knew. I wish Id been the one to tell them rather than have the awkwardness of them not being sure if they should know.

Now that Im at goal weight, I dont care who knows. I think it is important for people to have a realistic view of WLS. It is nothing to be ashamed of. We have made a brave decision to fight for our lives!

JJ

I told them everything and I told them as soon as I knew I was approved. It was about 8 months after I was approved till the actual surgery. Kaiser has an extensive program before you can have the surgery. It's an awsome program and everyone gets through it at their own pace.
I now tell anyone that wants to know and some that dont. haha. I am very proud of what I have done. I am a much much healthier person now and that is what matters.
I hope that by sharing my story I will encourage someone else to make a step towards a healthier life even if its not through surgery.
It is however a very personal decision and you need to do what is right for you.
Good luck and best wishes for your healthier life!!!!!