So, I was going through the process for getting the sleeve when I was laid off at my previous employer. I was sad that I had to postpone my surgery, but as soon as my benefits kicked in at my new employer (last week) I called the doc and got the process going again. It will probably be a 3-4 months before I am ready for surgery.

My problem is that I dont want to let my new supervsor or co-workers know what I am having surgery for. I dont want my manager to think that I am having an "elective" surgery that will require time off just as I am starting at a new job, and I also learned from telling my previous co-workers that I really would rather them not know for several reasons.

So, what should I do? I know some will respond that this is not an elective surgery, and should be treated like any other surgery, and I agree with that. But, I am also a realist and know that not everyone (esp those who dont have a weight problem) sees it the same way.

I have considered faking a benign mass in my stomach that has to be removed. But, I hate to lie. Yet, its the best I have come up with so far.

Finally, I would also like to just stick with "personal reasons" for the surgery, but the reality is that if you're not completely open, people catch on to the fact that you're hiding something.

Thanks for your advice.

I own a service business, so I have 50 or so bosses, plus the people that work for me. I told a few of my staff, but I told all the customers that I was having a personal surgery, it wasn't a huge deal, that I was fine and I would be out for two weeks. One said "I hope whatever it is, you're doing okay", but that seemed to drive the point that I didn't want to talk about it. LOL. I'm sure most of them thing it's a hysterectomy or something. Whatever, it's not that I don't want to tell people, I just don't want to hear the crap.

Legally, yes, you aren't required to tell your employer. Depending on how big your office is, it's hard to hide it after, I would think, but do whatever you feel comfortable. I wouldn't get all bitchy about it and say "you can't ask me because of HIPPA violations" or anything. I would just state it was of a personal nature and you'd really rather not talk about it, that you were going to be fine, just need to take care of something. And leave it like that. If they push it, that's one thing.

If you work in a big firm or something, the boss already knows they cannot ask, more than likely