Noisy co workers

[Anna Nim 196]

Do you by chance have a hital hernia? Then you can tell them you are having surgery to repair a hernia. Totally true

Treatment for Acid Reflux?

Or None Yo Business

[TinyLittleFractures 33]

I work in the medical field and I work very closely with the other people in my office. While I was arranging my appointments for clearance I tried to keep it to myself, but again when you work 50 hours a week some of the calls you make have to be from work. Once I had my dates arranged I let them know. For the curious I pulled up a video of my surgery (again, medical field that was mostly all of them). I brought in extra Protein Shakes when I was on liquid because some of them skipped lunch and did what I did for support (or to low key lose a few pounds). They were supportive when I left and they've been good since I've been back. If I'm winded they're helping with my patients.

[shoodle72 61]

I don't personally think that it is harmful to tell your boss about the surgery. I'm booked to have gastric sleeve surgery in 3 weeks. I have taken 3 weeks annual leave to recover. I felt that it was important for my boss to know in case I needed additional time off work. Also to attend follow up appointments.

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[blizair09 3,250]

I work in the medical field and I work very closely with the other people in my office. While I was arranging my appointments for clearance I tried to keep it to myself, but again when you work 50 hours a week some of the calls you make have to be from work. Once I had my dates arranged I let them know. For the curious I pulled up a video of my surgery (again, medical field that was mostly all of them). I brought in extra Protein shakes when I was on liquid because some of them skipped lunch and did what I did for support (or to low key lose a few pounds). They were supportive when I left and they've been good since I've been back. If I'm winded they're helping with my patients.

Almost everyone on my immediate team at work has struggled with their weight in one way or another over the years, so they have all been super supportive of me. Of course, many of us have worked together and been friends for over 10 years, so that frames the situation. (And my boss is like a big brother to me; he always has my best interests at heart, and he is really proud of the work I have been doing to get more healthy...)

[shoodle72 61]

I don't personally think that it is harmful to tell your boss about the surgery. I'm booked to have gastric sleeve surgery in 3 weeks. I have taken 3 weeks annual leave to recover. I felt that it was important for my boss to know in case I needed additional time off work. Also to attend follow up appointments.

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[Mimi52 103]

I only told my boss and 2 friends at work that I know won't say anything. My team I just told them I had to have a surgical procedure. Of course my family knows. Once I go back I won't care if they find out. I won't say anything but if someone asks me outright I will tell them.

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[ocgirl15 667]

I think that's fine, and what kind of procedure you are having is not any of their business.

I do think it's a bad idea to lie at work -- I mean flat out lie -- because likely people will eventually figure out that you have had weight loss surgery, whether you tell them or not, and if they think you lied about it, they might start thinking of you as a dishonest person in general. So be prepared with what you might say if people ask you:

--what procedure are you having?

--did you have weight loss surgery?

etc.

I agree with the not lying part, but I disagree with the likelihood of people figuring it out. I am 3+ years out, 112lbs down and no one that I did not choose to tell knows more than the fact that I eat a diet much like Atkins and I move my a$$ a lot.

Only one person asked me out right if I had WLS and my response was simply, "What a personal question! You probably did not intend to be nearly as rude as you came across." My tone clearly invited no further discussion and no further discussion occurred.

If I were to tell people I was having a procedure and they asked what kind, I would simply tell them it was very personal. Nothing else needs to be said. But I never told people that part, either.

I agree 100% with this. I have only told my husband and 3 besties. My parents and extended family (9 hours away) have no clue. My young children have no clue! I work virtually and only told them I was having surgery. No one asked what it was for. Very professional people who know the law and know it is ILLEGAL to ask!!!!!! People do you know that your boss can't ask and has NO legal right to know that kind of detail???? Actually it is in their best not to know!!!! All that detail was handled by HR and they can't tell.

Socially No one has asked me directly about WLS. I would have no issue shutting them down if they do. People see I eat clean, drink less and exercise more. I was a lower BMI (42) to start and haven't always been heavy. So I don't think my weight loss is very surprising for people who have known me a long time. Actually this not the first time I have had a dramatic transformation. It will be the last time . Sure people are prob wondering when will she regain???? But they are not the least bit surprised I lost weight. I get questions like ... Are you doing WW or south beach??? WLS is not even on their mind. I even told some I am on medical supervised diet and they still don't conclude WLS.

So it is your choice and right to maintain your privacy if you want. Also fine to tell. No lying required because telling them nicely it is none of their business is acceptable response.

Edited September 30, 2016 by ocgirl15

[Candygyrl 637]

Its none of their business. I told 2 co workers that I trusted. I submitted a claim for STD and that's how my boss was notified. I told my boss I had fibroids and had been putting off having them removed for a while and they have become very uncomfortable. I told her because we're all very tight knit and felt it would be awkward not to say anything. I didn't have to. We're all nurses and know all about HIPAA. I explained to her that I hadn't told anyone. While I was off she went to a couple co workers and asked if they had heard from me. Procedure was fri. Everyone was off Mon for independence day and by Tuesday my supervisor was asking if anyone heard from me after my "procedure". She didn't say what I was having but I was upset because no one really knew-- I told them I was taking time off to spend with the hubby and kids during the summer break and now they were all whispering like she had a procedure? She didn't say anything etc. What do you think she had? I felt like that put too many clouds of suspicion in the air. When I came back, everyone was kind of expecting me to talk about why I was out and I didn't. I let them know I was doing well and all is fine. I didn't explain why I was out nor did I need to. I just wish my boss had kept her damn mouth shut.

I was only like 20lbs down when I came back so I don't think they noticed any weight loss. Prior to that I've always been trying to lose weight-- walking, eating healthier, so it's no different. The changes have been happening gradually but I feel like when I lose another 30lbs people may start to put 2 +2 together. ( you know she was off for awhile-- she probably had that bariatric surgery or something) lol. Oh well.

Edited September 30, 2016 by Candygyrl

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Very professional people who know the law and know it is ILLEGAL to ask!!!!!! People do you know that your boss can't ask and has NO legal right to know that kind of detail???? Actually it is in their best not to know!!!! All that detail was handled by HR and they can't tell.

I'm quoting this because I wish more people realized this information. The amount of people that work in these unprofessional work places is staggering to me. Most of these people and their co-workers are walking lawsuits. A good HR dept is not going to want you disclosing all this medical information to your co-workers. Your boss shouldn't want to know. If you have surgery then get passed over for a promotion or something, you can easily blame it on surgery based discrimination, regardless of the facts, and bring a lawsuit. No good manager wants to know all your business like that. People work for unprofessional untrained management that are opening their companies to liability on a daily basis.

I haven't told anyone but my super close friends I had surgery. People see how I eat and how I act. They never think I had surgery. They think I have changed my way of eating and I am sticking to it. Which is what happened and is true. If you eat properly and live an active life, no one will assume you had WLS to lose weight. However if you sit at your desk sucking the toppings off pizza, and never do anything active and are dropping weight like a stone that raises eyebrows. Most people believe diet and exercise work, the idea that it doesn't really work for people is beyond their comprehension.

[BunnyPhooPhoo 15]

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[leebick 448]

When i put in the request for medical leave, I simply told the principal that I was having surgery. He never asked a question, just said there'd be no problem and gave me the paperwork to arrange for a substitute, FMLA, etc. On my way out of the office, he hesitatingly said, "Leebick... I hope it's not something serious." I didn't feel he was prying for information- it felt like he was genuinely concerned for my well-being. I just said, "No, not serious, but something that I've needed to do for awhile." I'm aware of the medical privacy laws, but I didn't feel he was overstepping.

Edited to add- when a couple of people asked what I was having done, I just said a partial gastrectomy. Since I was sleeved, that is true! I didn't tell a lot of people what was happening- my direct boss, 2 co-workers, my best friend (who is also a co-worker). Since surgery I've shared with more people- several friends from around town, 2 or 3 close friends, etc. I find it easier to talk about now that it's done, and I don't have to listen to people try and talk me out of it, or tell me what a bad idea it is.

Edited October 1, 2016 by leebick

[Alex Brecher 10,512]

@@TanishaP,

You are completely within your rights to tell your co-workers as much or little as you want. I agree with the above advice not to flat-out lie, since you do not want to lose your credibility forever.

Something you may need to think about is what you will tell them to explain possible “odd” behavior on your part. What will you tell them if you need to leave work early or sit down quietly because you are feeling full or nauseous or you have a doctor’s appointment? How will you explain your liquid diet and then your new diet, which will probably look very different than your old eating patterns? You might want to just think ahead so you will have answers when you are put on the spot.

[Simply Sleeved 1]

I didn't tell my parents or my boss. I just told my boss I was having a surgical procedure. When she tried to pry I told her that I didn't want to share.

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[newlife9-27 37]

It is a personal matter. I did not tell anyone but my immediate family. When I start to lose weight my answer will be I am exercising more and eating healthy. That's it.

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[newlife9-27 37]

My surgery was four days ago. I am still extremely weak. I don't have the energy to walk but I know I need to. Is it too soon?

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