Tibbie

For the May Sleevies - there is now a private place on Facebook if you would like to join us!!! This way we can keep track of each other through our journey and not have our threads lost with all the other posts. Just an additional place for us to get together! Sleeve Guru set it up for us - bless her heart!!!

I'm not sure I understand all the nerves? Maybe it's because I've had surgery before - been there, done that - so it doesn't scare me. I'm just excited - ready to get this thing overwith and get on with the rest of my life! LOL

Welcome everyone!!!! Lots of newbies here!!! Yeah!!!!!

I think this is great. I really do. I think what they are doing is helping ensure your success - for you AND for them! Doesn't look good to go somewhere that over half the patients have gained their weight back! This shows dedication, determination - and the chances of you succeding are far greater! Good for you for all the hard work!!!!!! It will be soooo worth it to you in the end!

I had three surgerys in one day back in 2005 - two different doctors. One was a total hyster - the other was for a bartholan gland cycst - and the other was gall bladder removal. I figured since I was there and they were opening me up - lets get er' done! LOL I had the surgery on a Wednesday - was back to work on Monday - no paid I think the relief from the gall bladder removal and no longer having the pain of the gallstones made the difference for me there! LOL

I've only told my husband, best friend, my Co-VP and owner of our business (they both happen to be two very close friends as well). Other than that - everyone thinks I'm having my gallbladder out - even though I had it taken out 7 years ago! LOL None of the people working for us now know that! LOL Love that everyone is using the "gallbladder" excuse. As for after - I will deal with that when I am comfortable and ready. Until then - I like keeping it to myself!

See!!!! Being honest up front pays off!!!!! Congrats on the new job! And a whole new you to follow!!!!!

I'm so glad to hear you have turned the corner and you are recovering!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

You are right Lisa - they can't drop you. Much of it is determined on the size of your husbands company. If it's under 50 employees, WLS is more than likely not a qualifing event. It's an exclusion. If it is covered, and the business has less than 50 employees (or even more than 50) the possibility of insurance preimums going up is a very distinct possibility - and generally the employer has no choice but to pass that along to the employees. Health insurance is just a horrible scam and so very expensive. My husbands company has well over 200 employees. Two of them had to have by-pass surgery (heart) the same year - the next year their insurance went up so much they had no choice but to change plans, go with one where the deductable is over $5000 AND charge the employees a LOT more.

I would tell the prospective employer. They put a lot of time, money and effort into finding employees. I agree that possibly putting off your surgery by a month or two might be best for both of you - or for you to start after you have healed. Being honest is the best policy. I've hired people that told me up-front about planned vacations, etc. that were to take place within their first month with me. I'm always good with that provided I have the coverage. I never mind my employees taking time off - as long as everything is covered - I'm 110% good with it. If I had a prospective employee coming in telling me about having WLS - I would actually like that - as I know that them being in good health keeps my insurance preimums lower!

Mine has been quick, quick, quick - since I'm a self pay. I had already been through the process of the seminar a few years back - and KNEW what surgeon I wanted, etc. So I went in on May 1st for my consult - went in on May 11th for the stress test and the tube down the throat - and my surgery is the 23rd of this month (next Wendesday) - we had set that up back on the 1st when I first went in because there was zero doubt that I was going to have this done - so mine has been very fast.

Welcome aboard! Glad to have another newbe!!!!

There are all kinds of sleevers booked for July! Welcome to the family! Glad you decided to join us!

LOL - correct again Suz LOL - yeah - I'm a VP that handles all the H/R as well as everything else on the admin side. I just got done going through this with a former employee who left for two months because her daughter was sick. Although our full intention was to keep her on with us - we did hire another person (we are a smaller business and could not be without that position for two months) to work the job along with her once she got back. She got back and went back to her old ways on her very first day back. Unfortunatly - good worker over-all - but her disposition was not a pretty one and was constantly causing trouble. We had to let her go as opposed to letting her bad-mouth, etc. to all our new employees. She was very angry because thought she was on FMLA - she learned very quickly that FMLA does not apply to us, under 50 employees, not to mention - she had not been with us for a year - nor were we given the 30 day notice, etc. Needless to say - she pretty much hates me now - but it is what it is I like for EVERYONE to be informed - and much of the time all you have to do is read your employee hand book to know what does and does not apply to you - or speak to someone in H/R - if there is no H/R department - generally it's either the Office Manager or the owner that you will deal with regarding these issues

Correct - they can not fire you - but there is no guarentee your SPECIFIC job will be available when you get back. They just have to PROVIDE you with a job when you come back

Not everyone gets FMLA - first of all - you have to be at your workplace for a year - you have to have over 50 employees, give 30 days advanced notice - etc. Many people think that FMLA is available to everyone - but its not. Just wanted to toss this out there FYI

I agree with what everyone is saying - I'm less than a week out from getting my surgery - but I too worry about the "head" portion of this journey. One of the BIGGEST things my husband and I BOTH have to break is when he gets off work at night and texts me and say's "what do you want for dinner".....he knows he will no longer be able to do that with me. We are going to be on a fend for yourself place for a very very long time - if not forever. I plan in the morning what/where we are going for lunch - at night again, it's all revolving around food. Drives me out of my mind! I think food addiction is worse than smoking!

What is with the pain people are talking about in their shoulder after surgery??? I don't understand what this is...can someone enlighten me? Thanks!!!

Congrats!!!! And how cool that you get to go through this with your family like that!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Yeah - same here - so here's hoping for both of us! Lol Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thanks Sharon

As an employer - as much advance notice as possible is always much appreciated. Gives me time to be able to move people around to make sure shifts are covered and that work loads are distributed. I am working up to the day before surgery - surgery is on a Wednesday - will work through Tuesday - then back to work the following Monday

I friend requested you too Rhandi Chapman-Kidwell

Interesting - I never had that when they did my gall bladder - or the emergency surgery last year for a hernia. At least now I know what it is LOL - thanks!

Dallas, Texas here - actually - Denton - Getting sleeved next Wednesday the 23rd Woo Hoo for Texans!!!!!!!