Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Time off work and telling co-workers?



Recommended Posts

Hello all!

I’m at the very beginning of my path for WLS. I’m leaning toward gastric bypass but am not 100% decided.

I have a few questions:

1. How long should I expect to be off work? How long were you off?

2. What did you tell your boss when asking for time off?

3. What did you tell your co-workers?

Thank you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took two weeks off and the third week I worked 7 hours instead of 8. The third week I was tired. I told my coworkers and boss I was having a gastric bypass. Everyone was very supportive.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I only planned to take 1 week and that's what I requested. But I was still having so much pain, my surgeon wrote a note excusing me for a second week. The third week I changed my schedule to get off work at 3:00 pm instead of 5:00 pm. By week 4, I was back to full days. My boss and close co-workers know the procedure. Others in the office just know I had "abdominal surgery." Everyone has been great.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took about 3 and a half weeks off, although my boss told me not to rush back if I needed more time. It was right in the middle of Christmas holidays - he gave everyone some time off so I really only needed to use about 10 sick days. I had just told him I was having surgery, although my coworkers knew it was a gastric bypass. I did struggle a bit with my energy levels the first few weeks back so I've had some short days, but apart from that everything has been fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I 100% regret telling my coworkers. I feel like I'm being judged if I eat anything, or if I lose or don't lose weight. I want them out of my personal business. I told a few people in a moment of weakness,and of course they blabbed to everyone else. I am currently looking for a new job to get away from the judgements. Maybe it's all in my head, who knows, but I regret opening my mouth about it.

I planned on 4 weeks off, but I ended up taking 6. The surgery was way more difficult than I had anticipated.

Edited by shelly420

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took one week off and went back. I work in a small office so I had no problem telling my co workers and my boss all of whom have been very supportive.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1. I took one week off. I have a desk job so it wasn't that hard to go back to work.

2. My company doesn't require a reason to request time off because we are provided with a certain amount of paid time off. I did mention to my boss that I was having surgery, but that was as far as I went with it. It is not their right or business to know the specifics.

3. I didn't tell my coworkers anything because again, it's not anyone's business. If you feel the need to tell them something because you know they will question your whereabouts, I would simply say you are having surgery. If they ask why, just let them know it is a private matter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was off for less than a week. Had surgery Tuesday, was back to work on Monday - worked from home on Friday. Told my boss I was having surgery. Period. Told my co-workers nothing. I didn't tell my mother or my sister either - and I'm fine with that. My health is my health. When people asked about my diet, I said I was on a physician supervised weight loss plan. Absolutely everything I said was true. My experience has been that people are too judgmental.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! I am likely to not explain what the surgery is - I don't like sharing too much about my personal life at work anyway.

Thank you all!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I simply signed out for 2.5 weeks. When someone asked, I simply said I have minor surgery scheduled. He was too polite to ask what (which is what I can expect from the rest). B)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My husband is the only one that knows. My friend had the surgery and told everyone. Now everyone is a critic and the things they say have had a negative impact on her journey. She is constantly defending her choice. I am telling no one and I will lie because it is none of their business how I lost the weight.

Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×