Well, after going bac kand forth in mymind about whether I need to get this done ... I had an epiphany on Valentine's Day ... here's what happened -

So I gave my boyfriend a list of gift ideas for me last month about what he could get me for v-day, one of them being a gift card to NY &Co. He called me on v-day from the store and asked me what size tops and bottoms I wore .... not to purchase any clothing for me, but to see if I could even fit anything in that store before he bought the gift card. He said when he wakled in he didnt think that I could fit clothes from that store. I felt really embarrassed and sad about that whole conversation. I cried after I hung up with him and when I told my mom the story some tears started to roll.

That just tipped the scales in the direction toward getting the surgery. Well the next day (Feb 15) I got the call that my insurance approved me for surgery. My date is March 9th .... I felt very nervous ... but it's going to happen. I'm forcing myself to just go ahead and do it. I've been overweight for 22 yrs (Im 28) and I just need to stop playing around and make a change.

SO ... now Im faced with the challenge of what to tell my job. I dont what them to know what's going on because I know certain ppl will not preserve my privacy. Im thinking I can tell them that I'm getting a thyroid operation, that way the weightloss after surgery will make sense???? But I'm not sure if that's the best story I can come up with.

Did anyone else get "creative" and tell their job something regarding their absence for surgery?

I took off 3 weeks, and I really needed all that time, maybe because I am 60. You don't have to give a reason to anyone except to say surgical procedure. My doctor's office only writes "abdominal surgery" with a return date. No one has to know anything. However, I had so many questions about my time off that I used the "hiatal hernia" excuse.....it was the truth (I did have that repaired during surgery), I just didn't mention everything that was done. No one bugs me at all about it now.

I actually did have a hernia repair that my surgeon fixed during my surgery and apparently it is not uncommon. Maybe it won't be a fib?

I think my mother was relieved when they told her about my hernia repair because then she could give a concrete reason to my aunts for my surgery. I chose not to tell anyone outside my extended family about being banded. ]

Also having the hernia repair explains why you can't eat normally for several weeks.

I did tell my employer, who has kept it confidential. I would not go with the Thyroid surgery as I did have half of my thyroid removed, and believe me, that is a surgery you can not hide. I only took a week off, so if you have the time, make it a "vacation" so no has to know if you don't want them to.

I'll go with hernia repair. Im sure my boss won't ask any other questions after I say that, but I know when I come back his wife will say "Hey I heard about your surgery!" ... hahahaha.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!!

I'm going to have to tell the people I work with, as I have a fairly physical job, and I'm going to be taking 5 weeks off (I work on an oil rig). I'm just telling them that I'm having a hiatus hernia repair. I'm going to be telling my consulting supervisor (I'm a consultant, so I can take as much time off as I can afford) that I'm having an abdominal surgery, so they know that I might not be 100% when I do return.

Thank you soooooo much for bringing up this post and question. I have been racking my brain over the same issue. I got my time off that I need for my surgery but not without some questions as to why the short notice (I'm self pay and had 1st appt 1/19 and chose 2/14 as my surgery date) She made a big deal that if this had been something on going, why didnt i plan it out better. Yeah my manager ruined my chance at having procedure done on Valentine's day, my one true gift of love to myself. I work in call center so manager approved time off has to be put in 3-4 weeks in advance even if I have the hours available. So now my date is 2/21. She won't ask why I'm having surgery for legal reasons but she sure isn't comfortable not knowing why. I'm real close with my coworkers and usually tell them everything but afraid they'll tell her and she'll try to ream me for getting her to approve "elective" surgery when I could've just waited to schedule it later.

I'm going to research the hiatus hernia and abdominal procedures. So if asked I have something to say to the girls I work with.

Instead of the hiatal hernia route, which you would have symptoms that could be obvious, you can say you are having a diagnostic laparoscopy. It's less invasive than hernia repair and you can say you've been having 'female' problems you were not comfortable discussing. It would also explain the incisions and no one will know the difference

Hiatal hernias cause heartburn and that would'nt be obvious to anyone. It would also explain why you can't eat normally for 4 weeks. Unless you can take 4 weeks off. I was only out of work for 5 business days. Though I am a consultant and work from home so I was able to go on my own schedule (take naps) if I needed them once I returned to working.

Any idea how to explain the weightloss I mean besides the yo-yo dieting. I wanted to associate the surgery with it without disclosing the lapband.

We are always giving each other ideas and support, so other then eating far fewer calories with just will power I don't know how to explain it.

I know this sounds childish but I work with all females and do not want my manager holding this over me if she finds out. (and yes she's that type of person/mgr)

Any idea how to explain the weightloss I mean besides the yo-yo dieting. I wanted to associate the surgery with it without disclosing the lapband.

We are always giving each other ideas and support, so other then eating far fewer calories with just will power I don't know how to explain it.

I know this sounds childish but I work with all females and do not want my manager holding this over me if she finds out. (and yes she's that type of person/mgr)

It's not....I understand the gossipy co workers. Well, when you come back and start eating small portions, they will know you are watching what you eat. You don't have to tell them, just say you are watching your portion sizes and eating healthy (which will be true!) and also exercising. I was lucky in that I had my surgery after I finished a college course but before I got my current job. So I didn't have to explain to work why I needed time off.

I know this sounds childish but I work with all females and do not want my manager holding this over me if she finds out. (and yes she's that type of person/mgr)

How would she hold it over you? Any why? Seems very immature.

I've had thyroid surgery, very noticeable. If you feel the need foe secrecy say female surg. No one questions that.

I had surgery in Feb and didn't start losing weight until the end of June. My surgeon doesn't have patients diet during bandster hell. So, no one who didn't know what kind of surgery I had would make a connection between it and my weight loss.

And yeah, thyroid surgery leaves a scar at the base of your throat. Radio-iodine treatment of the thyroid requires you to be away from people for a while, and leaves no scars. But you might research the laws, your boss might get himself into trouble if he broadcasts what medical treatments you are undergoing.

My surgery is on the 9th as well. I have a hiatal hernia and my doc is fixing it during my banding. So as far as anyone at work knows I am having hernia surgery. More-op diet begins on 2-29, South Beach phase one. We see the surgeon Tues. for the pre-op visit.

I am so excited and nervous all at the same time! Being a nurse is not always an advantage!

Keep in touch!

Tootles

D