Ye, but... you might want to make sure and wait for another member here to confirm it as I am unsure of myself. Better yet, why don't you e-mail the Medifast guys because they can give you an answer better...

I acted like it was the most natural thing in the world...never a negative comment. My family and friends are all thrilled.....

In all honesty my Husband and my friends have been fantastic and they truly will be without a doubt there for me after.

Surgery.

......

BUT...I really really do have my doubts about mum in-law and I don't really know how to handle it...I think she would be extremly critical...I just don't want to deal with negativity .....

Maybe I shouldn't worry about what people think...I'm doing it for me to live a longer healthier life afterall......

Ricky.

That is a fantastic approach..and lovely that you had such a positive attitude from your family and friends.... (i'm envious).

I think GB is still really not that accepted in the Uk by lot's of people....

K xxx..

I was very open and honest with everyone. I told them what I was doing and why. I got the typical "you are taking the easy way out" by some people. I choose to ignore them..

I had a supportive netework of people who I cared what they thought and asked for their support and prayers and knew they would be there for me. Those are the people I went to when I had doubts or questions or needed a.

Listening.

Ear..

I figured I wanted people to know the truth rather than talkk about me behind my back (which I am sure some did anyway). I wanted people to know what I was doing and not spread rumors or wonder if I had cancer or some other horrible disease when I was dropping weight so fast..

Everyone is different in what they share and how much and with who. It is a very personal decision. I told everyone! I even journaled my progress on Facebook comlete with pictures for all the world (or at least my far away family and friends to see). Some still ask me for updates almost 2 years out!.

Good Luck with whatever you decide..

Laura..

I didnt tell my brother or my parents ,,, ended up telling my parents now they dont talk to me because I had it.... I dont care though id do it again,,,,..

Ah Joy...So sad they don't talk to you because you had it...there is so much stigma still attached to this.

Surgery.

.....

I suppose at the end of the day it is our life and our own happiness that really counts...xxx..

Well most of my family knows. At work was the hardiest thing because everyone is getting it. It is like a new trend of clothes and they all look fabulous. I did tell someone who had GBS and thought she was my support and then she told someone else, so now I am really careful of who to trust. Everyone at work thinks I took.

Vacation.

Time. But now I am sort of concerned because when I start to look fabulous they are gonna wonder. I just despise people getting into other people's business and hate that I have to think I have to explain my choices when I really don't have to at all..

SO my advise is do what your heart says and what is best for you..

Ricky- I think being positive is important. But being overweight all my life it is so hard to be positive about anything that is good for me. People don't get the struggles of being overweight!! But I am gonna take your advice. Thank you!!..

I work in a job where everyone in my community knows me. Plus I work with people who work throughout the community. At first I told just my family that I was having the.

Surgery.

Then came the time I had to tell my co-workers, because I was going to be gone for a significant amount of time. As you can guess, my coworkers told everyone in my community. I can't fault them, it's human nature. If people come up to me a talk to me about it, I answer their questions. What it has done is minimized all of the weight I lost pre-op. People who are just asking me about the.

Surgery.

Now think I had it 6 months ago when the truth is I had it less than a month ago. I lost 130 pounds pre-op. Now I've lost about 155 pounds total. People know I've lost weight it's obvious. Truth is, if everything goes well, I will lose another 100+ pounds. I've got a lot of work to do, and I can't really worry about what other people think.

IMO, if I lived in a big city, I would only tell those who needed to know. But that's what I did here, and still, everybody and their brother knows... That's just the way it is.....

I told NO ONE. Just my husband new. I think at first I was ashamed that I had gained so much weight that I had to have this done. But after all that I had been through, I started to share more and more with people that I cared about. And I was excited to learn that people were very supportive and happy for me. So looking back, I would have been upfront and honest ! After all it is your body, your decision and Horrah for you wanting to take control of your life and your body and anyone, I mean anyone that is not supportive of that is a fool !!..

I am on the waiting list for.

Gastric Bypass surgery.

..I have obvs told my husband and only 2 friends....

I don't want to tell my in-laws and my sister...not sure if it's because I want the wow factor..or whether I am scared they might judge me.(MIL..has always been slim).

What did you all do,and what sort of reaction's have you had..

K x..

My immediate family was informed and all was positive support,have not told extended family. Only told a close co-worker who has also had GBS for her support...

I told my family and close friends. The reactions were half supportive and half worried about the risks..

It's all good now!..

Only my husband and 2 close friends know, one of which had the.

Surgery.

However, I work in the medical field and had my privacy violated by a few coworkers who decided to look through my medical records so I know they know, but they haven't said anything to me. I did go ahead and file the proper complaints on these employees though! Such a violation!.

I am the only overweight person in my entire family so I decided I didn't need any negativity around me and chose to not tell anyone. You have to do what you feel is right for you..

PS. My Mother in law weighs 100 pounds soaking wet!!! LOL.

Kim..

I waited until I had the.

Surgery.

Date set before I even told my mother! (I think I was also concerned with how she'd react, but turns out she said she was proud of me for taking this step!).

I'm in a couple different groups. As an Army wife, everyone was concerned when I mentioned.

Surgery.

, so I let several people know that it was a good thing, nothing serious. Plus, I knew word would spread, as I'm the President of the Spouses' Club here. My PTA friends don't know at all; I guess they'll just think I'm getting healthier as I'm shrinking!.

It's interesting that as I've mentioned it here and there I find several people who have had the.

Surgery.

, or know someone who has. Sometimes I thought I was the only one in the world doing this! :)..

I told everyone! I am an open book anyway, so I knew I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut for long. I was pleasantly surprised with all the reactions and have had the most amazing support. I was most worried about my in-laws, but in the end they have become my biggest cheerleaders! I am truly lucky and blessed to have the people in my life that I have...

I only told my husband, kids and mother as I felt like this was something personel. If I was having a D&C or.

Hysterectomy.

I wouldn't have run around telling everyone My problem was my mother telling everyone and I had to tell her twice to quit telling people, it was not their business. My family has all been very supportative..

Kathi..

I am proud of my choice to be healthier, and even tell complete strangers why I'm shopping for smaller clothes or getting a to-go box when I eat out.. Anyone who thinks this is an "easy way out" has no idea how hard it really is, and I think they should try living our lifestyle for a week or two. Most couldn't do it, I bet!..

I obviously told my husband and son, then my mother, then my husband told and my mother-in-law, and brother in law because he was going to have MIL come stay with me post.

Surgery.

And she lives in Florida, I am in TN. I told 1 friend, then my 2 sisters at the last minute because I did not want then trying to feed me all the reasons I should not do it (and they would have). But that is all. I figure it is none of anyone's business...

I only told my family and few closes friends. Now at a year post op, I am telling everyone. Maybe because I just feel so good about this change or maybe because I really dont care what anyone (other than my friends/family) think about this change in me. I used to worry about it a lot before GBS. Best wishes...

This is always a personal decision..

Like takeabow, I'm pretty open, and I made no secret of my plans or the preparatory process leading up to.

Surgery.

I also told everyone why I was doing it (to cure type 2 diabetes). Most people were supportive. One individual was judgmental and thought I should be able to do what they do on The Biggest Loser. Yeah, right..

Anyway, this.

Surgery.

Has been a very positive thing for my overall health, and I refuse to act as if I am ashamed of it. Those who think it is easy, I usually disabuse by telling them what the lifestyle is. I can deal with the negatives (few though they are) because I am not shy about defending myself and the procedure with actual facts. Shuts them right up...

I am having.

Surgery.

In 4 weeks and only my husband and my sister know. I feel like I need to live with it first - own it - before I can share it with anyone else. I think at some level I feel like I should have been able to do it on my own but overall I am at peace with my decision..

You will do whats right for you...

In the beginning I only told my parents and brothers. But I neglected to tell them not to spread it around the world and soon enough everybody knew. The only place I keep it private is work and facebook, lol. I might mention my weight loss or Medifast diet habits, but I never say gastric bypass. Once everyone found out, I got a lot of support. In hindsight, it would have been really hard to keep a secret because I have a big mouth...

I told my family, close friends and some co-workers. I had mixed reactions and knew I would. What I did was researched EVERYTHING I could so that if I was challenged, I could have an educated answer. So many people are in the dark about this.

Surgery.

.."its a quick fix"..."just go on a diet". So many do not understand that this is a life change that you have to be dedicated to everyday. When we stay obese, we cost the healthcare system more, if we were successful at dieting..wouldn't we have done that to begin with? I say arm yourself with.

Knowledge.

..

It is up to you who you tell and dont tell..

I lost a friend over it because I left her to deal with her own weight issues..she didnt like that much! Now if people ask, I tell them, I am proud of myself for recognizing that I need help and giving in to my Medifast food addiction..that is no weak, that is strong!!..

I think alot of you have hit the nail on the head...I do feel like a bit of a failure that I couldn't do it without.

Surgery.

...well I did lose vast amounts of weight on 2 occasions then put it all back on and a bit more...

People will try and talk me out of it...even though my mind is made up I just don't want the stress of it, at this moment in time I just want to concentrate on me...(why do I feel such a pang of selfishness saying that).

Oh well onwards and upwards...I have told the people that I know will support me all the way through...the rest will I am sure will find out at some point....

Thank you to you all,just your words seem to enpower me.....

K xxx..

I have only told a few of my closest family members and a couple of people at work that I'm fairly sure won't spread it around. My other family members will eventually find out, but as for most of the people I work with I don't see it as any of their business...

Never feel guilty for wanting to empower and focus on yourself!! you live this life for you and no one else! You have to be the best you can be in order to be anything for anyone else!!..

The only people that knew that I was having.

Surgery.

Were my husband and kids, my best friend, my boss and one co-worker. I chose not to tell because I didn't want to hear any negative. Now that I have had.

Surgery.

And people notice that I have lost weight, I tell them and everyone has been very supportive!.

You do what feels right for you! Best of luck to you!!..

I'm an open book also..

And since I was down like 75 lbs in 2 months I have commited to standing on mountain tops and screeming at the top of my lungs of the virtues and benifits of RNY..

I have no fences or boundries that is my policy..

Those that do, I pray for you!.

Lucifer..

I'm with Lu. I told everyone before hand. Hmmm... minus the.

Screaming.

On a mountain top = ).

On one side of my family I had a cousin who did it in July. No one died when he told everyone what he was doing. Soooooo..... I knew I was safe there. The other side of the family, I had one aunt who didn't want me to do it. She just knew I would regret it.

One brother just asked why would someone do this.

Surgery.

If they still have to Medifast diet and.

Exercise.

He asked, isn't that the point of the.

Surgery.

? My 2 boys didn't care. One just asked, what kind of crap are you going to feed me now (15 yrs old). My friends are all supportive too...

@kayla.

You should be concentrating on you! My psycologist pegged me, she asked if I was always the go to person, for everyone, and I am. I was so busy.

Running.

Around after everyone and not looking after my own needs, actually ignoring them cause it was easyier to worry about someone else than face what I needed to..

So time to be selfish and lets look after ourselves..

Robin..

I limited the information to my daughter, 2 sisters, and my manager since I will be off a while and will need someone to fill in at my office. I discussed this with one coworker who had GBS in 2009 and she has agreed to be my support at work..

I chose not to tell anyone because I want to make this decision by myself without any negative influences. I dont want my boyfriend to think Im doing it for him. I will tell everyone when I start my 2 week pre-op.

Liquid diet.

..

Carrie..

I told my whole family, a few closes friends and my supervisor at work. I didn't tell all my co-workers just because I didn't want to hear everyones opinions. Now that I have had the.

Surgery.

I am very happy to tell anyone that asks. I'm very proud of my decision. I'm very fortunate that my family was very encouraging & supportive. Surprisingly enough my supervisor was also very supportive and excited for my new life...

Oh go for the "Wow factor." She may show concern for your health after a while- then if she starts showing you some concern about your health, clue her in. How has she been all along with the weight situation to you? That in itself would affect my decision on when or what to tell her Has she been kind or cruel about it?The wow factor can be fun- I used it recently on someone(former friend) who used to judge me. Go For It!..

Good topic, that has brought many replies, but I'll add mine too..

I DID choose to tell people, though I told those closest to me first. I chose to tell people because I had two friends who did not. People became seriously concerned for them,not knowing, as it looked like they were cancer patients. One gal lost half her body weight in 6 months. People wondered what was up?.

My weight loss was fast at first, but slowed down, and I may have gotten away with it, but most of my friends KNEW I'd tried most of my adult life to.

Lose weight.

, and I knew they'd guess I'd had.

Surgery.

, or was very sick. Didn't want to have to deal with unnecessary worry either, you k now?..

At first my family was against the idea ... thought I could lose the weight without dangerous.

Surgery.

After.

Talking.

To my doctor, one daughter was all for it and now the others are also. Therefore, I didn't tell anyone at work except my supervisor who had to know. I couldn't deal with the negative comments on having.

Surgery.

After I get closer to my goal, I may tell others. But right now to anyone who asks what I am doing, I just say I am eating a whole lot less...and that is just what I am doing!..

Well..in answer to the question what has my MIL been like as far as my weight...she never really has said anything even when I lost a lot of weight at WW....But one comment will stay with me forever and My kids are the ones who told me as they were upset (especially my daughter...It goes like this....

My son stretched his arms out to give his Nanna a cuddle and she said "you don't need to stretch your arms out so far,your not cuddling your mum"....I did confront her about it and just asked her to keep her opinions to herself and not to make comments like that to my own children as they thought she was wrong to have said it...she denied it but all 3 of my kids said she definitely said it...So that is why I don't think I should tell her at this moment in time...Do You agree?.

K xxx..

Family dynamics never seem to shock me. And when you add massive weight loss into the hopper they even get more knotted up.

This was such a good topic. We have so.

Any great writers here now. I love.

Reading.

Posts like this.

Lu..

I have only shared my plans with my 3 kids and hubby. I really feel this is just our bussiness. I will tell others after I have done it and seeing results. I fear the negative attitudes and all the scare stories. I am a Big girl (no pun intended) I can make my own decisions!..

Thank you Lu....all the replies have helped me immensley..I enjoyed.

Reading.

All the great replies...

Thankyou.

K xxx..