Gossip @ work about my Lap Band surgery

[crash878905 2]

I decided not to tell people except my manager about my band. Apparently now my whole department at work thinks I got my stomach stapled. I'm not offended that they think I got my stomach stapled. I'm annoyed for a few reasons.

1. That information is absolutely incorrect.

2. People are so willing to share my personal information.

3. They don't know anything about bands.

4. A coworker told me that people didn't think I needed wight loss surgery and actually compared me to an anorexic/bulemic having a distorted body image.

5. They don't know or understand my health/weight issues.

Frustrating!!! I don't want people sharing my business around the office. It honestly hurt my feelings. I started being proactive and telling people about the band to correct any rumors. And I casually brought up the band in conversation with the people that had been spreading the stapling rumors, just to set them straight. I'm not embarrassed by my band. I just don't want the world knowing before I want them to... and it's MY business.

Any advice or similar situation???

[Jenn1214 120]

People just love to gossip...it sucks when you're the focus of it but eventually they get bored and move on to a new victim. Don't let it get to you too much. It will blow over before you know it. You might want to have a chat with your manager about sharing your personal information, though.

[SarahStLouis 1]

I'm sorry to hear that. Given time, things will settle down. Just focus on your journey to become healthy.

[Jess55 97]

When I had my surgery I had a 2nd part time job I only worked at on Sunday's, when very few people were there. I told my manager I'd be out because I was having surgery. I did not say what kind because it's none of her business (I did tell my manager at my full time job). So when I came back my friend had td me they were speculating on wether I'd had weight loss surgery. Really! None of there business! I mean yeah, there were 2 other people there that had had it, 1 bypass, and 1 band, but still obviously if I didn't tell them it was my business. So people will talk. It sucks to deal with, but I guess since you see those people you might want to set them straight.

[Nechama L 4]

Offices gossip and it's just a fact of life. Doesn't make it right or wrong, just makes it what it is. I think you should be proud that you took such a huge step and just focus on yourself.

[Dave_NW 92]

Or you can do what I did after my Manager announced to the entire department in a group meeting (40+ people who LOVE to gossip) that I'd be away from work for a few weeks "because Dave is having bariatric surgery." So much for keeping it to myself! I said, "Gosh, thanks, boss! Now the pressure is really on!" And I laughed about it. At that point there was no point in hiding anything.

I've since told anyone who asked what I've done to lose so much weight. Being open and honest about the surgery has done the most to dispel the rumors and questions. I work at a hospital, so it's really bad sometimes. "No, I do NOT have cancer. I'm fine! In fact, I've lost..." and I give them the whole messy story. i figure nobody should be able to gossip about me more than I can gossip about myself. By being proactive, I can head off the rumor-gossip before it starts. And if they do gossip, at least they'll have the facts. People tend to make up stuff if they don't know the real story.

And it truly helps some others. Just yesterday a new-hire nursing assistant asked me about my surgery. She is obese, and is desperately trying to lose weight. By the time we were done talking she was convinced to look further into banding. I think she'll do well with it, now that she knows someone who has had a good experience with it. I offered to share anything with her that she wanted to know about things. The only other person she knows who was banded has lost nothing to speak of, but as she said, "The woman LIVES on junk food." So there you go...

My personal philosophy about gossip, work attitudes, and such is like a sign I once saw on an office wall. It read, "When they're running you out of town, get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade."

Dave

[ButterflyM 2]

I feel ur pain. I have not returned to work yet, I took 2 weeks off. However, when I return, there should not be a rumor mill problem, since I told them I was just taking a vacation. I only told 3 people at work, my manager, & 2 other co- workers, 1 that attended the initial information session about the Band Surgery ( she was considering it as well). I'm not sure how I will handle or how I will respond to people who approach me. Since this was a very personal decision, I may just respond that way. "I've made some personal decisions and they are just that, PERSONAL and it would be nice if people respect that". Nice and sweet.

[highland 168]

Haven't these people ever heard of HIPAA! Seriously! They need to quit with the gossip. You ARE entittled to PRIVACY!

[highland 168]

Haven't these people ever heard of HIPAA! Seriously! They need to quit with the gossip. You ARE entittled to PRIVACY!

[bellarn09 1]

Everyone at my job wanted to give me their opinions. Now that I'm 4 months out they just tell me how great I look. It all blew over, although it did annoy me. I took this opportunity to do some education with my fellow nurses, who were mostly misinformed.

[Kate rules 43]

I told everyone I had a hernia repair, which I did. I will eventually tell people about band. It does help that I lost a lot of weight before surgery.

[CheckYes 46]

Haven't these people ever heard of HIPAA! Seriously! They need to quit with the gossip. You ARE entittled to PRIVACY!

I think HIPAA only applies to doctors offices and hospitals, not workplaces. Still, I agree that a supervisor at work has no right divulging private information.