Telling people at work

[littlewing1203 1]

I work in healthcare, everyone will notice when I'm gone for 6 weeks post op. I really don't want to tell people about my VGS surgery, it's just too private of a topic for me but I know there will be questions about my absence. I also don't want endless follow up questions about it, people are very judgmental. Only my boss will know for my medical leave. Any advice? Any good excuses? How did you guys handle this kind of problem?

[msreaina 133]

It's a touchy subject but you don't have to explain yourself. You can just leave it at you are on a private medical leave. Personally I never told anyone but I didn't take 6 weeks off. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work Friday so it wasn't noticeable. It's up to you at the end of the day.

[Skepford 16]

I am also in healthcare and have thought the same thing. Remember the HIPAA rules and that it's nobody's business but yours. You don't even have to explain to your boss.

You are right about people will talk. I hate to tell you this, but I know from experience that they are also talking now. I had a lead person ask if I really needed scrubs that big. I think I'd rather have them talk about how great I'm looking and how healthy I'll be, and yes, that it's even time I "did something" about my weight.

My mom makes comments that she doesn't realize hurt like a knife cut. She says how fat people are disgusting, etc. I can't wait to see her reaction, for I'm not going to tell her about the surgery until after she sees me for the first time.

I have been contemplating WLS for almost 10 years. It's about time for me to do it. My recent visit to my doctor shows that I am now diabetic, after having been pre-diabetic for almost 10 years. I also have several other weight related issues. She thinks WLS is a really option and even put in a consult for me. Now I will wait for the surgeon's office to call. I am planning on going to their seminar too. I am excited and can't wait to do this!

[Sleeve_Sistah85 193]

I am also in healthcare but only taking off 2 weeks. That's what my insurance told me what was needed. My director knows because she makes the schedule, but none of my other co-workers know...but I'm sure they'll figure it out.

One of the nursing assistants dropped a lot of weight last year after being out a whole month and it was clear she had WLS. When I asked her how she did it she replied " I drank a lot of Protein shakes." I knew she was covering it up because I have been contemplating WLS for 10 years but I left her alone because she has the right to privacy. Later on I was in the conference room and she didn't know I was there and I heard her tell a nurse that she has the sleeve.

I take vacations 4-5 times a year anyways so I'm sure people will think I just went away. The problem is I won't be posting on FB so I guess they'll suspect something. I don't care anymore. I just want some help :-(

[Skepford 16]

Yep, I completely agree. You're doing it for you, not for them. Just ignore the negative comments and bask in the positive ones. I have been contemplating this for about 10 years too. My physician thought it was a good plan and backs me up on it, so much that she put in a consult for me. I can't wait to get started!

[_Kate_ 2,224]

Initially I made a decision only to tell my husband, best friend and friends/work colleagues I go for lunch with during the week. My Manager knew too. I left it like that for weeks and that's how I wanted it to stay. However the week before the surgery date, some people at work had noticed that I was marked off sick for a month on our team calendar and asked if I was having issues with my neck (I have spinal stenosis) and decided have an op and I just told them the truth. For me, at that time, It felt quite liberating!! Also I didn't care what they thought, they don't live my life. I have had nothing but support and encouragement from them all and I work in a team of 64 people.

Good luck with whatever you decide. REMEMBER this is about you, not them.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

everyone will notice when I'm gone for 6 weeks post op

Don't wait to field questions when you return to work. Let it be known ahead of time that you're taking several weeks off and, as probably is the case, the time is combined vacation and personal time because you have a load of things to take care of.

Once your weight loss is evident and people begin to ask questions, the answer is the brief truth: You changed the way you eat and began an exercise routine. When the high rate of weight loss is questioned, then you may wish to 'fess up or stick with the original story. Make you choice based on your comfort level at the time.

[RuralNurse 48]

I don't understand why people feel they HAVE to tell anyone at work. If you were having a rectal transplant you would probably just tell your boss you are having health issues and need to take time off.

I am only taking 3 days and have told people at work that someone in my family is having surgery and I need to be there for them (my mom happens to be having a surgery at the same time so I'm not lying). I do see if you are taking more than a week that you may need to tell your boss that you are having medical issues yourself and can't "blame" it on "family".

I also fully support people that want to tell supportive people in their life, but just know you don't have to tell anyone. It is no one's right to know anything that you do to your body.

[RuralNurse 48]

I am also in healthcare and have thought the same thing. Remember the HIPAA rules and that it's nobody's business but yours. You don't even have to explain to your boss.

I posted this in another thread that discussed HIPPA as many people don't really understand how it works. I agree that it is no body's business but it is important to understand what HIPPA can and cannot do.

Just so you are aware, HIPPA does not cover information from one person to another in the context of "visiting", "talking" , "divulging", etc. It is only in the context of a client or patient and his or her health care worker/provider. If this person you are talking about has provided health care to you, such as has functioned as a nurse taking your vitals, a physical therapist working with you, your doctor/PA/NP, dentist, the receptionist that makes your appointments, the billing/coding person involved at the clinic/hospital, etc., then yes it is covered by HIPPA.

If you just work with her (regardless of if it is in a hospital, clinic, Wal-Mart or a bank) and you divulge info to her she is not bound by the HIPPA law. There may be other legal things like libel or slander but I am not a legal person so don't know anything about that stuff.

I work in the medical industry in psychiatry so am pretty familiar with HIPPA, as in mental health we are even more protective of info and know that a lot of people do not really understand HIPPA. I just don't want you to have a false sense of security. Unless a person is directly involved in your health care, they are NOT bound by HIPPA no matter where you work.

[Skepford 16]

What it comes down to is it's nobody's business but your own a. What you ant to share.