Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Question About Co-Workers



Recommended Posts

I am scheduled to have my surgery June 4th. My boss of course knows I'm having the surgery and one other co worker. My question for everyone is when did you start telling co workers? I work in the same hospital I'm having surgery in. I work will ALL women. I haven't said anything to anyone but it's going to be obvious when I come back to work when I am on a liquid diet, then puréed. Guess I'm just wondering how everyone else handle it. Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told everyone I could, even before the surgery. It is a personal decision who you want to tell but the way I look at it, why not tell people, you are doing this to improve your health and maybe your telling someone can actually help someone else make the decision to do it too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

when or if did you start telling co workers?

Crazyscrublady

there are probably as many different answers to this question as there are people.

I told my immediate family. before WLS, DH, daughter, sisters.

I chose not to tell others, shout it from the rooftops, didn't know what reactions would be - maybe later at some time, i might tell a few people, but thats for another day in my future.

best

kathy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I tell everyone! The people that give me flack are people that are insecure about themselves and are very judgemental people. They can have it, but at least I have planted a seed to help them think outside the box. Especially when they see my bod now. This is a great transformation. My best friend told me she couldn't handle my "skinniness." So now I've adopted the word "skinniness." I love my skinniness! LOL ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told just about everyone and have not heard one, single, negative comment. In fact, my coworkers, family, and friends have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. I'm sure someone has said something ugly, but no one to my face. The only questions I've had about my decision to have WLS were inquiring if I really felt it was worth the risk and about loose skin from losing weight. I feel the people with the WLS horror stories were expressing their concern in the only way they knew how and to those who inquired about loose skin, I simply replied "I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it".

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't tell anyone at first, I just told work I had to "have a procedure" and requested time off. The day before surgery I told my in laws (my parents have passed already). Now I'm more open about it as I just don't care who thinks what. I did this for me and I'm finally comfortable just telling anyone and everyone as I don't really care anymore what they think. But at least they'll know if they decide to ask quesitons for themselves and they won't wonder whenever I eat such small portions. But it's all what YOU are comfy with hon. Negative Nellies will always exist and it is easier to deal with any of that AFTER surgery IMO (in my opinion). Best of luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hi all

i posted above (#3) that except my immediate family, i told no one. the truth is i don't really have any friends to talk to except all you guys.

Yesterday i went to PT. One of the PT assistants i've known over the years, all of a sudden asked me if i had lost weigt, she said i looked great.

I said yes with a secret smile on me. she said how did i do it (she is a very good average weight.) she asked me if was eating better food, quantities etc. i said yes thats true. but than i took a big sign and told her i had surgery.

she said wow. and from there on she asked alot of nice questions and it was great, especially about the part that 85% of my stomach was gone. I am so glad i told her, and it felt great.

Funny how things change

kathy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told my 2 close friends at work what I was having done and my HR department knows, but other than that no one else knows what I had especially my direct supervisor because she does not know the meaning of the word confidential and I just don't feel that she needed to know. I know that my friend told a few people about the hernia part of the surgery to get them to leave her alone. But since I have been out this week the rumors started flying and my poor friend has been hearing them all because everyone is coming to her asking her. Apparently I had surgery to get pregnant with twins...lol. My friend sent out an email telling everyone off yesterday then called to tell me she did it and asked if I was mad. Please, I have more to worry about right now than you putting people in their place on my behalf :)

In retaliation for me not telling my boss what I was having done she went to the two bosses over her and instead of telling them that I was having to leave and make up time due to doctor's appointments and a few procedures I had to have done prior to the surgery, she told them that I have attendance issues. The had no clue that I was even having surgery until another supervisor was trying to get me moved into her department and the refused, because of my "attendance issues" and she told them what was going on.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am scheduled to have my surgery June 4th. My boss of course knows I'm having the surgery and one other co worker. My question for everyone is when did you start telling co workers? I work in the same hospital I'm having surgery in. I work will ALL women. I haven't said anything to anyone but it's going to be obvious when I come back to work when I am on a liquid diet' date=' then puréed. Guess I'm just wondering how everyone else handle it. Thanks[/quote']

I am not telling them I told a few ladies that I am having an exploratory surgery for some gallstones at in all truth have given me trouble in the past I only have told my 2 sister's and my hubby of course and one daughter my son knows I am having surgery but he thinks it is stones he is 13 and immature and one day called me a PIG when he got pissed off so I will not tell him he later apologized but hat coming from my son hurt me badly

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am scheduled to have my surgery June 4th. My boss of course knows I'm having the surgery and one other co worker. My question for everyone is when did you start telling co workers? I work in the same hospital I'm having surgery in. I work will ALL women. I haven't said anything to anyone but it's going to be obvious when I come back to work when I am on a liquid diet' date=' then puréed. Guess I'm just wondering how everyone else handle it. Thanks[/quote']

I am June 4 the too :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't tell a whole lot of coworkers before the surgery because I just didn't want to talk about it every single day. But now that it's over I don't care who knows. Firstly, I couldn't live with myself trying to be dishonest or hiding something. But the big reason is, it was one of my coworkers who inspired me to have the surgery indirectly. We were talking one day and out of the blue he told me he had a bypass. He was very up front and honest about the whole ordeal. It really helped remove the stigma of the whole thing from my mind. After that I started doing all my research and had my first doctor visit a month later. So I hope by being honest and open about my surgery, I may one day inspire someone else to improve their life.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told the one person in my dept that can't hold Water. She told any and everybody she could, and I just shrugged every time I was asked. Because we're OR nurses, everybody chimed in with their concerns about leaks, malnutrition, dehydration, and all of the above. I told them if I didn't do it, I'd be dead in a few years anyway. No one had a comeback for that one. The funny thing is that two other nurses came out the closet about their plans to have WLS too, so then it was the big girls against the skinnies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told them if I didn't do it' date=' I'd be dead in a few years anyway. No one had a comeback for that one. [/quote']

Right on!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×