Well this is going to be AWKWARD! LOL

[HopefulMe2016 9]

I went to see my primary care provider (PCP) on the 18th. I asked about WLS and was told given my current weight and co-morbidities I would more than likely qualify. I had done some research and knew my insurance covers lapband (LB). My PCP told me my insurance usually recommends the VGS, which is the procedure I was told currently works best and the procedure I wanted. I don't want the LB. I've heard about too many issues with it and seen too many patients come back due to problems. I have co-workers who have LB and they said they would get the sleeve if it had been available to them at the time of their surgeries.

I received my paperwork today to start my consults and such and lo and behold I'm going to see the doc that OWNS my facility . I work with this man just about everyday. I don't dislike him, but I had hoped to keep my business...mine. I had no plans to tell ANYONE I work with about this journey until I had the WLS. I know about HIPAA and all, but I know if I see him my business will become WORK business. On the flip side I know his office and physician's assistant (PA) would work probably treat me a bit better because I have been at this establishment for some time.

I am a healthcare provider and this facility is small. I probably wouldn't have my procedure at MY facility, because we only do LB and I'm hoping for the the sleeve which will be done at the hospital I worked at before moving to my current location.

I guess I'm just venting because now I'm stuck between getting better treatment from a healthcare team I know and going to to stranger who will keep my business private. I know eventually everyone will find out, but I just thought I had more time to work through it all.

My workplace though great is VERY clique-ish and I know as soon as I show my face in my surgeon's office...the word will be out and if not then when I'm seen at the hospital. (my understanding was my insurance would send me to a facility and hour or so from my house...not so)

Any advice on how to handle it all coming out before I'm ready?

[TinyTink 268]

I would make a call and explain your situation. There must be another option available to you for seeing a physician.

[B-52 7,113]

never mind...delete post

[Dub 9,922]

Good choice on the sleeve.

I've experienced zero complications so far and am very glad I went in this direction. Truth is that I discussed bands with the two top surgeons I was wanting to use. Both refused to perform band surgery and easily persuaded me to consider sleeve or bypass.

As far as wanting the procedure being done elsewhere....I don't know what advice to offer. My initial thought is that if you are doing this for your health......then who cares where you have the surgery ???? You are doing this for your health.

That is an easy assessment for me to make, however, because I don't work in the medical industry and furthermore I couldn't care less who knew about my choice to have surgery.

If I worked in a hospital.....then would possibly go on to be treated by all my coworkers....it may give me pause to consider the awkwardness.

Your health should win here......not vanity. Do it at the most qualified facility available to you staffed with the very best professionals you can find.

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

Go somewhere else.Having the procedure done in a hospital is just as good as your place.You are going to have surgery not lounge at a getaway spa.You don't need the drama from catty idiots.Keep your business separate.Do not in your life get a lapband.?..pure misery....

[RILEYSMOM22 344]

Definitely get the sleeve. I would go with where you will get the best care... people you know. My son is an ER nurse at a large local hospital. He advised me to go to a doc that operates out of a different hospital because he felt I would get better care and better results.

Chances are that word will get out anyway. They will find something new to talk about after a couple weeks. Will having people know, that you see daily, motivate you after surgery?

I didn't really care who knew I was getting surgery. It isn't a cosmetic procedure, it is health related. If you were having your gall bladder out, would you be worried who knew? In my mind, I was having my stomach fixed to work better for me. However, I realize everyone has their own mindset going into this.

Can you talk to the doc about your concerns when you go for your appt? Or would that be too awkward? Would your co-worker be insulted if you went somewhere else?

[HopefulMe2016 9]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not concerned about the gossiping people, I know that will come as the weight comes off. I keep my professional life and home life separate. There are only two people I even associate with outside of work hours and that's mostly by text.

I'm a very blunt person and I know people knowing so early in the game (while I'm dealing with my OWN feelings about this journey) will cause me to "hurt" some feelings. It is a small facility and people REALLY like to "stay close" to each other.

Even though they know I'm not that type of person it doesn't stop them most times.

I don't think I will have my procedure at my facility, as sleeves in my area are done in patient only.

It's not vanity at all, it's more about privacy and working through the process without having to verbally throat chop those I work with. I guess once I "knock down" the first person the rest will fall in line.

It's going to awkward, but I've had coworkers take care of me before (different facility) guess this is better than a coworker doing my vaginal exam...yep that's happened before

And yes I was concerned about my coworker knowing about my Lap Chole (gallbladder removal) as well as my other surgeries. It's always about privacy for me. People in the medical field tend to be overly familiar with each other and feel comfortable violating HIPPA when they consider you a friend.

Now I'm NOT talking about them running telling people "oh Sue had a lap chole" I'm talking more "oh sue I heard you had your lap chole a few weeks ago, how are you healing? what were your symptoms? Did Dr. Smith leave you with mild scars?"

I will speak to my surgeon about my privacy concerns.

Ah small town living at it's finest!

Edited December 27, 2015 by HopefulMe2016

[glitter eyes 1,398]

@@HopefulMe2016 I had my sleeve done at the hospital where I am the nursing administrator. I have worked there for over 20 years so I know everyone there; so I had a very similar dilemma as you face.

I knew that I would be unable to keep my surgery on the down low, much less a secret. So I just decided to embrace my choice and be happy that at least I would get top notch treatment!!

One thing that helped was everyone seemed very accepting of my decision- of course since I am the boss maybe that's why?? LOL

I had a first class hospital stay from the time I walked through the door, everyone was so wonderful. One of the slight downsides was I had a tons of visitors during my stay. People were in and out of my room day and night. However, since I knew that was going to happen I was up and dressed in a nice gown and robe and had my makeup on and hair fixed within one hour after getting back to my room. So in hindsight it probably kept me up and moving.

When I returned to work I did get lots of questions about "how was I feeling?"I just tried to look at it from the view that everyone was just concerned.

Eventually I became old news and everyone has kind of forgotten about it and the new thinner me is just the norm. So overall it was a great choice to have it where I work.

Ultimately,it is your body and you have to do what is right for you!! Good luck on your choice.

[HopefulMe2016 9]

I don't know why your post made me giggle a bit. Probably because I can picture what you wrote...visitors and all of that.

I know I'm just going to have to suck it up and move it along. Everything happens the way it's suppose to, so I'm not going to tell anyone and when asked I will call them all liars...just kidding.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I have worked for the company for decades. I have a spotless reputation because I keep work and personal life as separate as possible. I personally would go somewhere else.

I have become a little palsy with someone at my surgeon's office and she wants to have plastics done. They won't do it - too close and lack of objectivity. I think they are smart, especially since plastics, like WLS, has a high emotional factor.

[HopefulMe2016 9]

I have to go to a seminar mid January to get all the WLS info then schedule my first consult. I believe my surgeon's PA will be at the seminar, I will corner her and ask some questions prior to my first consult.

I trust this surgeon and his PA, not crazy about his staff (I've worked with them in a professional capacity and have had to sternly speak with his scheduler, she's a bit snippy) so I will stick with him, for now.

I have plans to move on from this facility (hubby is retiring and we will be moving across country) so I may just move on AFTER my procedure, seems like a good.