Is Lap-Band an 'elective' surgery

[loser4life 0]

I was banded on 11/18/08 and loving every minute of it.

Just a comment. I told my boss what surgery I was going to be having. I chose to tell my co-workers and direct reports only that I was going to be out for surgery but not what surgery just that it was of a personal nature. When I shared the info during a team meeting just before going on temporary disability leave-my boss followed the announcement with a remark like " it's nothing serious - elective surgery - no big deal".

That comment just didn't sit right with me. I answered - "well, whether it's elective or not is a matter of opinion".

I've been battling the disease of obesity for all my life. It felt almost felt like the boss was saying "for breast cancer removing the tumor would be elective".

The boss meant well. But the boss is not and has never had a weight issue and this was obvious.

:biggrin:

[kileyh 1]

I know how you must of felt, but in my own hind-sight, I have probably said many stupid things that I did not mean the way they came out. Just know that for you it was not elective, and that there was prob no malice, so be happy and forget about it knowing your new life is right in front of you.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

It IS considered elective surgery...any surgery that isn't emergent is considered elective...but he should've left it to you to tell or not as you wished.

[gentylwind 1]

Yes, it is definitely elective surgery. But he had no place commenting on it at all.

[stevegoad 32]

And he did something wrong... how?

Sorry to sound insensitive, but to me, your boss acted very professional. He probably wasn't sure if you wanted details spread around, and odds are, he is not sure of the details of lapband anyway.

I have spent much of my adult life working in churches and non-profit organizations where privacy is not only expected, but essential for people. I would expect a boss, if faced with saying a person will be taking disability leave, to say something like "it is not serious." and leave out the details. Many of us consider it a private surgery anyway.

Instead of getting upset with your boss for trying to be sensitive, be happy that you have a boss that cares about your privacy.

[thenume 2]

And he did something wrong... how?

Sorry to sound insensitive, but to me, your boss acted very professional. He probably wasn't sure if you wanted details spread around, and odds are, he is not sure of the details of lapband anyway.

I have spent much of my adult life working in churches and non-profit organizations where privacy is not only expected, but essential for people. I would expect a boss, if faced with saying a person will be taking disability leave, to say something like "it is not serious." and leave out the details. Many of us consider it a private surgery anyway.

Instead of getting upset with your boss for trying to be sensitive, be happy that you have a boss that cares about your privacy.

I disagree COMPLETELY! It was not for the boss to say anything at all, his comment WAS unprofessional. It's apparent that it wasn't an emergency or she wouldn't be sitting in the meeting. You do sound insensitive and she didn't have to share anything with anyone. It is not for the boss to share any details big or small with any of her co-workers. Whether elective or not, it should have been left up to loser 4 life to make a follow up comment if she felt the need to.

I'm not trying to be combative but when a person says its elective surgery, usually people think weight loss surgery or some kind of plastic surgery, which is what I think loser 4 life was trying to avoid speculation on.