I work in a very small (and very gossipy) office. I know I will need to tell them something but I'm not sure what yet...and I have no idea how long I will be out.

So far, I'm thinking of telling them that I am having "some issues with my stomach" and that I may need surgery/may need part of my stomach removed. If they ask what it is I will simply say that I am really not comfortable talking about it in detail right now...and hope that will be sufficient.

Thoughts? What have you guys told your employer/coworkers?

Edited August 17, 201016 yr by TnT

I didn't tell them a gosh darned thing. I took vacation time, not sick time, for my surgery, and if anybody notices I'm eating less when we go out to lunch, I just say I'm on a diet, which is true.

I didn't tell them a gosh darned thing. I took vacation time, not sick time, for my surgery, and if anybody notices I'm eating less when we go out to lunch, I just say I'm on a diet, which is true.

This would be ideal, but the small amount of vacation time I get will be used for testing, pre-op...and we don't get sick time.

what if you tell them you need a hernia repair? i was in to see my surgeon and ran into an old college friend, and when i asked who she was seeing, she said my surgeon.. for a hernia. just a thought. good luck.

I have worked at the same place for 32 yrs. The people who are my friends know the truth and my boss knows. I work at a VA hospital so I can count at least 10 people that I know of have had WLS. The gal who works dayshift in my area had bypass maybe ten years ago. That was before they were doing lap surgery. She has a pretty good scar but she has never been sorry she did it. She has encouraged me a lot...Carole

My employers anc coworkers all know the truth. I work in a small vet clinic, where there are only 11 employees, and most of us get along and support each other. For people that I don't know well, or its really none fof their business, I said I had hernia repair, which was actually true.

I think I have told almost all of my employees and co workers Just cuz I am so exited I am getting this done. Some had questions which I was happy to answer but not really any negative comments, actually In talking to my coworkers about it I found one who is going to be having he band done(I did try to talk him into the sleeve but I just dont think he wants to do the research oh weel to each his own) plus I have brought one other to the seminar who had decided on the sleeve and will be bringing one more soon (his daughter had the band so he wants to see how I do on the sleeve before he makes his decision) so all in all telling every one has been a good experience!

I have mentioned to a couple of co-workers only because they she and I are the only one doing our work so she will have to fill in for me. I have not told any of my family except my daughter and my sister. As far as work is concerned I can take leave which is what I was planning on doing cause I am not sure if I can take short term if it is elective surgery. Will find out. But as fas as other s at work, they will figure it out once I start losing the weight.

Connie :sad0:

I work in a very small (and very gossipy) office. I know I will need to tell them something but I'm not sure what yet...and I have no idea how long I will be out.

So far, I'm thinking of telling them that I am having "some issues with my stomach" and that I may need surgery/may need part of my stomach removed. If they ask what it is I will simply say that I am really not comfortable talking about it in detail right now...and hope that will be sufficient.

Thoughts? What have you guys told your employer/coworkers?

Most think I'm out on vacation but I've told a few I am having surgery. Most have not asked what kind of surgery and wished me well. For the 2 that did, I just said female stuff and it immediately stopped them from asking more questions!

Since I'm guessing your weight loss will be pretty noticeable (I've seen some post with people losing 20+ pounds in a few weeks) I think you'll have to come up with some kind of story because everyone will be noticing how good you look! :thumbup1:

I told everyone in my office. Let them talk. Some have questions and even follow some of the things I have learned and shared. I do not care f they like it or not. I have nothing to hide.

*this is a copy & paste from something I posted today so I don't have to retype*

I’ve been on VST for a few days now, and must say that the wealth of information, candor, and just over all good vibe I’ve received has been a blessing.

I have noticed though, that a lot of folks didn’t opt to tell anyone about their surgery ( except maybe close family, friends). I almost feel like I’m the crazy one for blogging my journey (but I’ve always been a serial blogger – so why not this experience) and even discussing it with my supervisor at work. Thing is – for me – my verbal diarrhea of sorts – when it’s come to my decision to have this surgery, has proved to be a tremendous blessing. In my candor – I have come across at least 20 or more people (real life friends, online friends, and fellow bloggers) who are in the same boat. Some have had WLS surgery in the past, some are going thru the process now (with 5 people who will have all had/will be having WLS surgery w/in 3 or 4 months of me), and some are just starting the pre-approval process. This has proved to be an AMAZING support system, that I didn’t even realize I needed. In addition – I only told my bosslady because I didn’t know how disrupted my schedule would become w/all of the doc’s visits & such, not to mention the emotional roller coaster I’ve been on and probably will be on for some time. Come to find out – SHE had WLS (GB) almost 2 years ago! Not only odes she look so amazing that I didn't have a glue - she has been extreamly supportive and understanding – and has offered up some of the most candid and helpful information I could have ever asked for.

Granted, I know not everyone’s life is an open book. And we are all entitled to our privacy. Just in my case – my opening up has proved to be a way to get others to open up…and thus far – the past 5 months I have met some amazing people (online-turned-real life), heard some amazing stories, and look forward to some amazing results.

I want to also thank those on this forum for being so forthright with information. It is greatly helping those of us who have not yet been over the threshold to understand what is coming, and all that we have to look forward to. In addition – the Success Stories threads and pictures, get me emotional & teary-eyes EVERY time I read one. Like, I can hardly believe that at some point - *I* will be the one with a success story to share. Shoot – I’m getting misty just typing this!!

You guy’s are the cat’s meow.:thumbup: Really. And looking forward to many more dialogs in the future.

BEST OF LUCK TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!

I think you have some good points, vanishingvixen. But I also think context is everything. I have a fairly high-profile job in my community, and I have zero interest in my surgery becoming a topic of gossip in my professional world. I told my family, my close friends, and the members of my grad-school class. THEY are my support system. I think I definitely made the right decision by keeping my professional relationships just that -- professional.

Context is definately everything. I have a very low-profile job in a small office of 4 folx - so it's a totally different thing for me. I blog for release thru the pen - so it's no matter who reads what I have to say, if any one at all. My thought process in my post was more directed to those with concerns about what others may say/think about the situation. At this point in my life, I just don't care. I'm a gov't minion & small biz owner, so no one cares about my life enough to gossip about it *lol* Again - everyone's journey is different. I've just found far more support than I could have imagined. There will always be someone w/something negative to say - but that's the case in every area of life, not just with my WLS journey. All the best!

I work in a very small (and very gossipy) office. I know I will need to tell them something but I'm not sure what yet...and I have no idea how long I will be out.

So far, I'm thinking of telling them that I am having "some issues with my stomach" and that I may need surgery/may need part of my stomach removed. If they ask what it is I will simply say that I am really not comfortable talking about it in detail right now...and hope that will be sufficient.

Thoughts? What have you guys told your employer/coworkers?

A bad case of ulcers can cause a person to have stomach surgery and weight loss. . . just a thought:001_rolleyes:

I had decided not to tell anyone, except my husband of course, and I haven't told anyone at work yet (my surgery is 9/14). I caved though and told my sister. That was a mistake, b/c she was horrified at the thought and is trying to talk me out of it. I have had my band for 2 1/2 years, lost wt, but problems galore and now regaining. She has had her band for 2 years and lost some in the beginiing, but is regaining it rapidly....Now wish I had just kept it too myself..