Can i just tell my job that I'm having an emergency appendectomy?

[Kristina J. 581]

You can say it's hernia repair, many of us have that fixed during surgery anyway. I know they can't legally ask...but I also know many of us feel funny saying "you can't ask me that, your violating my rights!" it's just easier to tell a white lie sometimes! May not be right...but it is what it is!

And I completely agree, especially in my old workplace (since I'm a stay at home mom this time around it won't be an issue). In my old work place "I'm having surgery." Wouldn't suffice. It was a small office and they wanted details and I wouldn't have felt comfortable saying "it's my right not to tell you!"

My decision to not lie came down to knowing that I would be losing weight, pretty dramatically and if I lied, my "little white lie" (about life risking surgery) would have to be followed by a year of more lies about how I was losing all this weight. It's like OTR says, it's a matter of integrity and your employer isn't stupid. It is definitely something each person has to decide for themselves, and you're right, there are a lot of factors, one of which being the intimacy of your office... But for me that was all the more reason I couldn't just lie to them when I went in for my lap band.

Oh goodness, so glad I don't have to make this decision again this time. I really hope my posts don't make it sound like I am trivializing your decision or making it seem like I think you're a bad person if you lie about it. I really don't feel that way!! I struggled with the exact same decision when I had WLS while I was still working. But in the long run, I decided I wanted to keep my integrity intact and stand up for my decision to make myself healthier!!! Best of luck to you whatever you choose!!!

[bee13 44]

Yeah, I'm not telling them anything more than "minor surgery" - my co-workers already know I have GI issues, so I'll let them think it's related to that. I would also like to add that I don't really like my co-workers and if I told them the real reason they'd spend all day talking about it behind my back. Can you tell I'm looking for a different job?

[Kristina J. 581]

Yeah' date=' I'm not telling them anything more than "minor surgery" - my co-workers already know I have GI issues, so I'll let them think it's related to that. I would also like to add that I don't really like my co-workers and if I told them the real reason they'd spend all day talking about it behind my back. Can you tell I'm looking for a different job? <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

That really is the worst Bee I'm so sorry. Nothing like having work become high school all over again, huh?! Hope you find something new soon!!

[MK1986 78]

I was just thinking of saying...'I am having a procedure that requires two weeks off from work'...and, leave it at that.

[PdxMan 4,292]

I was just thinking of saying...'I am having a procedure that requires two weeks off from work'...and, leave it at that.

That is all that is required of you ...

When they started noticing a slimmer me, I just said I am eating smaller portions, watching what I eat and exercising more. All very true statements ... no lies. I don't have to explain that I have a tool helping me.

Just like people don't have to share they use contacts to see better or inhalers to breathe better, you are not obligated to tell people your life story. Do what you feel comfortable with and don't let anyone here or there try to shame you into doing something you don't want to do.

[SeriouslyChange 319]

Legally, you don't need to tell them anything. Doctors note that says you need two weeks off will do it and probably put you on medical leave for those 2 weeks. And then you're out.

HR and my store manager know at my work. Plus 2 coworkers. That's it!

[Takingcontrol 467]

Exactly! & I explain my weight loss by saying I'm doing a modified Atkins...more Protein, fewer carbs, & portion control! All true!!,

[SeriouslyChange 319]

I still try to deny my weight loss. Though I don't get many comments about it either.

But many people have noticed my better eating habits and I inspired my coworker to eat better as well

And now that I bought smaller pants, no one will notice! Lol

[woman in me 307]

I have desk job. I'm returning after 1 week.

[ShrinkyDinkMe22 376]

When i went on leave for my surgery my paperwork stated that I was having surgery. It didn't say what kind. When I returned my return to work slip just said abdominal surgery and no heavy lifting until the end if January. HR never asked what I had done.

Now I'm trying g to get aflac to pay me for being out for those 2 weeks. We shall see

[ShrinkyDinkMe22 376]

Oh and I have a desk job. I was out from 12/10 and returned in 12/26. So 2 weeks.