Question:
What do you suggest I tell my job if I don't want them to know I am having wls?
— Paulina T. (posted on August 22, 2003)
August 22, 2003
I only told my immediate co-workers. To be honest it is nobodys business
but yours. But, what I told others was that I was having my gall bladder
out (which I did have done at the same time). I used this excuse even
before Al Roker, and it worked fine for me. Then later on I came clean
with the "whole" truth. Good Luck.
— Laure H.
August 22, 2003
My job was not told, I too wanted to keep it private, but I did need to say
something about surgery because I knew I would be out a week and when I
returned I wasn't sure if I would be 100%. I did tell co-workers that I was
going in for surgery. When people asked "for what?" I said I was
having a Gastric (Acid) Reflux problem fixed. I had LAP RNY and I was only
out a week. In 1 week I didn't lose any noticeable amounts of weight. I
think I lost 40lbs before people noticed and they didn't connect it to my
time out of the office (they still haven't). I am 4.5 mos out, down 70lbs
and most of my office assumes that I am very successful on a new diet and
excersize plan. (They see me excersizing a lot more) Best wishes.
— M B.
August 22, 2003
You don't have to tell them anything. If they press (which they shouldn't
do) I would just tell them it is surgery "of a personal nature"
and they will probably assume it is female problems and not ask further. ;)
— ctyst
August 22, 2003
If your boss is a man my mom always said to say it was "female related
surgery". Most men will not want any further details. At first I
didn't want to tell many people about my wls, but after awhile this became
my badge of honor. I am proud to say I chose wls to save my life and help
me loose 127 lbs. at 10 months postop.
— ckreh
August 22, 2003
It all depends upon the type of job that you have. My HR department
required for "leave of absence" a "medical
certification" so I had to tell them. They also would not allow my
return until I had an updated "medical certification" and signoff
from the doctor that it was okay to return. Check out your HR's
requirements for a leave of absence before you decide how to proceed.
— Cathy S.
August 22, 2003
I said I was having my hernia and acid reflux fixed. ALL TRUE!
— ZZ S.
August 22, 2003
Just have the surgeon fill out the medical release for and indicate how
long you will be off and that it's for medically necessary surgery.
Nothing more needs to be said by anyone.
— zoedogcbr
August 22, 2003
"Abdominal surgery" is the way I chose to express it. They may
assume it's female trouble (or they may not), but the recovery times are
similar. When pressed for more info by one management-level person
(inappropriately, I thought), I was polite, but just didn't tell them more,
and instead got a note from my doctor with general statements about the
need for desk duty, recovery time, etc. I didn't mind telling people about
WLS a couple of months after the fact, but prior to the surgery, I really
felt I didn't want anyone at work adjusting how they'd handle my situation
based on the politics of what type of operation I was having (versus the
medical issues it raised). It's your health that matters, not their
opinions of just how you choose to address your morbid obesity. You may
have wonderful employers who are understanding, but truly, there's just no
way to know for sure about that, so personally, I don't recommend getting
specific about your plans before you do it. Some have a tendency to view
it as "elective" and try to get folks to postpone it (in a way
they wouldn't pressure someone having, say, a hysterectomy), and you just
don't want to go "there" with management. At the same time, I
tried to time my operation in a way that made sense for everybody,
including work. Good luck!
— Suzy C.
August 22, 2003
I also have no plans of advising my boss of what type of surgery I am
having. In looking into the information I need to submit for short term
disability so I will continue to get paid, it states that due to the new
hippa laws no information will be submitting to my manager or the company
on what kind of surgery I am having. If I want someone to be informed it
must come from me. Hope this helps...
— Carolyn H.
August 23, 2003
Don't make something up that you may have to continue lying about later.
They do not need any explanation of your surgery and are not entitled to
one. You will be out for a medical procedure and that is it. Good Luck.
— Carol S.
August 23, 2003
When I was asking for the time off for my surgery (which is scheduled for
10/13 yippee!) I had the doctor sign something explaining what I was
having. And he in turn simply wrote that I was having abdominal surgery.
It's simple, and the truth.
— Michelle J.
August 24, 2003
I overheard my Boss respond very negatively to someone else about WLS
surgery and how it was an easy out. When my time came, I told them that I
was having my Gallbladder removed. When slight complications kept me
hospitalized for a few extra days, I told them that they discovered a Bile
Leak. My surgeon had told me that Bile Leaks are a common complication of
Gallbladder surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
Click Here to Return