bossportsgal 136 Posted December 20, 2016 So I want to keep this private. And I'm so not a private person. My boss is also a friend so if I tell her I need some time off for minor surgery she may ask what for. I was thinking of saying a hernia. Your thoughts. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deb2571 70 Posted December 20, 2016 Be honest. Lies have a way of catching up with you. You'll feel better just telling the truth. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monasmle 90 Posted December 20, 2016 I've got the same question, so I'm interested in what other people have done to explain their time off. And how many days do most people need to recoup (assuming a desk job)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444 Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) You don't have to tell anyone anything. Your body, your right to choose who to tell and who not. Whom. Don't lie, though, or you'll have to remember what you said forever after -- too risky and too much trouble. You can say that it's just a nuisance, little procedure not worth talking about. Alternately, make up something wildly memorable such as sex-change surgery. No one will know what to say and happily move on the the next thing. Edited December 20, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hayleyf3706 150 Posted December 20, 2016 I haven't had my surgery yet, but I will be out of work for 10 days. He preferred that I take two weeks, but I have to start a new job on Jan 3. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SusieSouth 51 Posted December 20, 2016 @@bossportsgal I have not told anyone. It took me a week to recover and three weeks to return to work. So far so good. Tell them you got hernia, or gallbladder issue, and that you will now need to be on a strict diet for recovery. If and when you start feeling more comfortable with sharing, the people who matter wont mind, and those who mind wont matter. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clc9 644 Posted December 20, 2016 Simply say you need time off to have some surgery. First off, your employer isn't allowed to ask "for what?" because of HIPPA. Second, if she does, say you're not comfortable talking about it now, but you'll be fine and back to work in x amount of time. It's the truth, which means you won't trip yourself up, but doesn't reveal more than you want. If it's killing her not to know the details, that's her problem and hers alone. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newme17 3,444 Posted December 20, 2016 Simply say you need time off to have some surgery. First off, your employer isn't allowed to ask "for what?" because of HIPPA. Second, if she does, say you're not comfortable talking about it now, but you'll be fine and back to work in x amount of time. It's the truth, which means you won't trip yourself up, but doesn't reveal more than you want. If it's killing her not to know the details, that's her problem and hers alone. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App I'm with clc9. Employers aren't allowed to ask what for anyway. I'll be doing what clc9 advised. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmorri 1,689 Posted December 20, 2016 I told the folks I work with that I was having a hernia repair surgery. It was true because they did that too.........my family knew the whole truth. You don't need to tell anyone anything you don't want to. Good luck to you!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinasu 621 Posted December 20, 2016 Just a quick correction: your employer is not bound by HIPAA, but rather by the ADA. Still, I didn't tell anyone at work. It's none of their business. Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clc9 644 Posted December 20, 2016 Just a quick correction: your employer is not bound by HIPAA, but rather by the ADA. Still, I didn't tell anyone at work. It's none of their business. Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App Thanks, can you tell it's been a while since I had to deal with HR as a manager? Lucky me I had it drilled into me I couldn't ask, but forgot the rule... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LipstickLady 25,682 Posted December 20, 2016 You can do whatever you want, but I wouldn't choose to lie, personally.I would simply say the matter is rather private but I absolutely appreciate their concern and well wishes. Leave it at that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RJrocks 69 Posted December 20, 2016 I was thinking about saying that I needed to have a portion of my bowel removed. My coworkers won't ask, but if I have a "mystery surgery", then loose 80 pounds in 6 months, they will know. The bowel issues could explain the weight loss to follow. I have a BMI of 37 and want my surgery to be private. Sent from my SM-G900W8 using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bossportsgal 136 Posted December 20, 2016 I'm also thinking of not saying anything. Take three days pto (surgery is wed 1/11$ and two days working at home (mon/tue). I only have 3 days to take. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Postop 411 Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) I told no one & still haven't (except for physicians and immediate family). I said it was gb surgery. "It had been backed up for a while & now that it was gone I was going to be able to lose that weight." Edited December 20, 2016 by Postop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites