KennyJenks

I wholeheartedly believe you have to do what works for you. That said, I told everyone at work the truth. In fact, I haven't kept my surgery a secret from anyone. I have done nothing wrong, by choosing to a medical procedure that will improve my health, if anyone wants to judge me for it, that says far more about them than it does about me. Though my honesty, I got INCREDIBLE support in my workplace and was able to talk with other people who are struggling with their weight and support them in their journeys. Being so open has been one of the best parts of my journey - it has shown me how much love people are able to share.

Wow! What a nice lady!

Do you go around sharing details of every surgery or medical procedure you’ve had? I don’t think you need to tell most people about your medical history and doctor-approved treatment(s). TMI. Do you expect all the men you know to divulge issues with their prostates or hearts, or women with their ovaries or other internal organs (for example)? It is no one else’s business but your own. As well, people don’t need to know why you eat the way you do. Again, none of their business. I advocate that you be as circumspect as possible.

My SIL had amazing results with a lap band years ago, and when I (rather rudely, in retrospect) asked how she did it, she said "diet and exercise," and I felt like a loser for not being able to do the same. Just ... as a data point. (Obviously, I found out, because my family is into gossip, and eventually the band failed and she gained a lot back.)
Being several years older and wiser, of course, I now realize that it is super duper rude to ask people about their weight or comment on their food choices, so with people who are close enough to me that they get to ask rude questions, I'll probably tell the truth. (It helps that I have some complicating medical issues that make this surgery a bit more necessary, which will slow their roll on the judgment front. I'm also happy to point out "this is my body, and since I'm the one who has to live in it, I'm the only one who gets to decide.")
But coworkers? And randos I just kind of know? I'm still working on a set of scripts, but it's going to be something along the lines of "That's a very personal question" or "I don't believe in food-shaming one another" or ... just ... blatantly ignoring anything rude they say and changing the subject outright. (I'm working on my quelling stare, for if they try again after I've changed the subject. ;))
I'm not willing to make someone feel like I felt, not if they're well-meaning and generally not a jerk. But I also don't owe anyone any answers, you know? So this is my happy center line. Ultimately, I hope we'll each find what works for us.

Tell them you were born with 3 testicles, only 2 descended, they have to go in and find where it went. Or you got a boil the last time you wore a Speedo and you want it fixed so you can go on a Caribbean cruise. Or tell them you're having a sex change, you're going to keep trying,until you find one b you like. That ought stun them into silence.🎭

I wish I had said metabolic surgery it would have made my disclosure much easier and it is completely correct! I had read another post from Missouri-Lee's Summit that explained this further and it was a Au ha moment for me! Amazing that we are all doing this surgery for better health and are have such a stigma about the fact that we are having surgery that improves our health!

Tell them that you're having metabolic surgery. They'll probably be too embarrassed to admit that they don't know what that is. And include that one of the "side effects" of your surgery is losing weight and maybe some Hair loss. (The hair loss is for a little shock value).
The best part is that this is all true. You are having metabolic surgery.

I work at a privately owned company that is self insured, so they were going to see the insurance bills...it is a big reason they are self insured so they see what is going on with their workforce! I also am a regional sales manager who was not going to be able to travel for 3 months so I had to let them know a few weeks before my surgery. It was hard as I saw judgement from one side of management, a few of them made snarky comments, but to my surprise, others said it is for your health and we are behind you all the way! If I did not have to disclose I would have just said I need stomach/digestive surgery.

You don't have to divulge anything to anyone if you don't feel like it only those who need to know. PPl at my job i only discuss with those I care to know, any others can mind their own business. One coworker even saw that i lost 30 lbs already and our work gets a gym discount so I signed up and she offered to pay for a few sessions with a personal trainer........ thats the caring kind. Other than that, you do you!!!!! and you'll be fine.

I’ll just throw this in as well, it turned out to not be an issue with my group of coworkers as much as I hyperprepared for it...many didn’t ask questions until the weight was falling off...like my pants haha. I always needed new clothes early in. I told the truth about a month later to everyone but I got much fewer comments on the size of my meals than I thought. People care a lot more about themselves where I work at least 😂

Tell them as little as possible to shut them up...' I have a minor hernia/digestive issue that is going to be taken care of, nothing to be concerned about'
Or - 'your concern is so nice, I assure you I am fine, what about those Cubs?' 'How is the coleslaw, my gall bladder reacts terribly to it but i love it, excuse me I want to go talk to Uncle Fred before he passes out, what a character.'
Work only needs to see your leave paperwork and your Dr.'s leave excuse but NOT the type of procedure.

You don't have to tell anyone anything, you can say diagnostic testing and recovery to HR and supervisors , nothing to everyone else.

UGH!! some people are saying muscle milk light. It's horrible. with an aftertaste.
I prefer Glucerna carbsteady. They taste like actual chocolate shakes to me and I could drink them all day.

I once had a supervisor berate the fact that I knew Eric and Casey were not a straight couple and had not ratted them out to her. Said I was against facility policy. I then asked does HIPAA and the Federal and State governments have any knowledge,of this ruling, because I'm sorry,its against one of their laws? She turned on her heel and stomped away.😧

I think your absolutely right to me it’s an invasion of privacy. Example a girl friend of mine tell me something private and intimate about herself or her husband and I wait just as good to be in a room full of people and say did you guys workout that intimate issue you were having, so did the doctor give you meds to help you out with that. That’s my example and people need to mind their own gosh darn business. Tell them nothing if you don’t want to.

I'd go with fake procedure. My fake procedure is going to be a hernia repair. At work, I am the only female, so I'm going to say it is lady business related. That'll shut em up real quick. : )

It should be renamed Rest Room teaVSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 169

You could tell them that you’re having a hiatal hernia repaired.

I am also a teacher Kenny! I made sure to tell my surgeon when I went for first consultation that I needed surgery in August the latest. They said as long as I got my tests done (sleep apnea, pulmonary clearance, endoscopy) by the end of June I should be okay. They also set a tentative date for me so that my surgeon doesn’t get booked.

Still waiting for my actual approval in writing but on Friday they said it should take a day at this stage. They told me to go ahead and start my liquid diet today anyway and here I am.

I wanted to give myself at least 2-3 solid weeks for recovery because it varies for everybody.

I’m 4 days post op with no complications or stomach pain just abdominal pain were they drain was I work from home and honestly I couldn’t have started back work today but I’m taking a week off and will start next Sunday as long as everything continues to go smoothly but everybody is different I say 2 weeks for sure

4 weeks off for my sleeve. Was hoping for 2, but I had some complications with fluids and other things. My doc wouldn't clear me. I'm glad they didn't, because the extra time has been very helpful for recovery.

My surgery is 7/30 and im returning to work 8/20, but I have desk job. I felt I needed as much time as I could possibly get to learn how to refeed while keeping pain, mental stress at bay.

I work from home, so I took no time off.
My neighbor and good friend is a middle school teacher. She was sleeved two months before me. She took a total of two weeks off. She was a little tired, bu otherwise did well.

When I had my sleeve I took off 6 weeks. I felt like I needed it, recovery was harsh for some reason
when I had my revision to RNY, I took off for 3 weeks. Recovery was much easier.
I work in healthcare and up on my feet handling patients for 8+ hours a day and I did go back with an aide for some help at work until I was 6 weeks post op

I am a lawyer. I had surgery Friday, 7/13. Recovery has gone well and I feel great. I am going back to work on Monday, 7/23. So I took one week plus 1 day.


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