What do you tell employers?

[MelissaGG 9]

I am looking at 1 or 2 surgeries down the road. The first for removal of my 10 year old Lap Band and the other for a possible revision. I get 4 weeks vacation (usually taken in increments over the year) and 8 or 12 sick days and then possibly disability. My job is our family's sole support, it is a career that I have worked at for 17 years and I am currently NOT in the best position with my boss and received a less than stellar review. I am trying to turn this around and have had years when things were better for me...much better.

I have been sick and my age is starting to show, I am no longer 20-something or 30-something and while I pout in a lot of time after hours, I do run home each day `1.5 hour commute to pick my son up at daycare. I have become almost expendable and I don't fit in any longer. Really sad and one of the reasons this weight must come off and regain my health.

So I am wondering, what do I say...do I look at sick time, vacation time, disability pay. What do I tell my boss? Gall-bladder surgery? Something else? Say nothing?

[kyllfalcon 768]

A lot depends upon the size of your company and whether it is subject to the rules of FMLA. How many employees does it have? Are they centrally located or in various locations? Do you have an employee handbook? If so, read it carefully to see if it contains reference to FMLA, disability, etc.

My surgeon wrote a letter stating the medical necessity of the procedure. Even though our insurance did not cover it, my job was protected under FMLA due to the medical necessity. I was paid through a combination of my own vacation/sick time and disability. Each company will have its own policies about paid time off in conjunction with medical leave. That's why you need to read your handbook if there is one.

I am always an advocate of the truth. It is just far too stressful and complicated to keep up a story or facade. I don't give a darn what people think of me. If I had gotten lung cancer from smoking, I would have sought treatment, right? Well, I got fat and sick from overeating, and I sought treatment. End of story.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you!

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

It's my understanding that you do not have to get specific with your employer about the operation, and they can't ask you specifics. Depending on what you do and how you heal, you might not be out long at all. Our time off is combined sick/vacation days so I just planned to take vacation. I had surgery on Tuesday and was back at my office on Monday (I'm 44). I made sure I walked around alot and did not lift. But I felt fine.

I was getting my gall bladder out at the same time and that is what I shared.

Good luck!

[Mayra 10]

Why would the even have to know. I went to Mexico for my surgery on Thursday(had it the same day I flew in) and went back to work on Wednesday. I didn't tell my manager anything except I was taking days off. If you have a desk job, its not that big of a deal. However, if you have an environment where you share your personal life at work then that might be an issue for you.

In my opinion, there is no need to take a medical leave from work for the VSG surgery. Unless you go into surgery with very poor health....but if that's the case, i don't see any doctor taking the risk to operate on you in the first place.

[kyllfalcon 768]

Why would the even have to know. I went to Mexico for my surgery on Thursday(had it the same day I flew in) and went back to work on Wednesday. I didn't tell my manager anything except I was taking days off. If you have a desk job, its not that big of a deal. However, if you have an environment where you share your personal life at work then that might be an issue for you.

In my opinion, there is no need to take a medical leave from work for the VSG surgery. Unless you go into surgery with very poor health....but if that's the case, i don't see any doctor taking the risk to operate on you in the first place.

Not trying to pick a fight, please understand, but that is a rather broad statement that there is no need to take a medical leave. I was in relatively decent health, but no way I could have gone back to my job in a week. I was exhausted and had the runs so bad - and there is no restroom on my floor!

And everyone is different. It is wonderful that you had such an easy time of it, but not everyone does, and not just the unhealthy.