I have told all my friends and family that I care about that I'm having the sleeve done in August but when it comes to work it's a different story. I reckon I'm going to need 2 weeks off for the procedure in total for which i will have a medical cert but I work in the kind of office where everybody will be asking where I've been and how I'm feeling. Don't get me wrong, it's lovely that people will wana know im ok but I'm really not comfortable telling people I've under gone something so radical. I'm from Ireland and its not common to do this here at all. I know honestly is the best policy but its such a huge thing to undertake that the last thing I want is everyone asking a million questions. SO.... Has anybody else here explained the sick leave from work by saying they had some other stomach related surgery other than WLS which can also explain the subsequent weight loss. Would really really appreciate advice on this as I'm getting really anxious about what I'm going to tell everyone. Thanks xxx

I think it's fair and honest to say you are having personal issues and while you appreciate the concern, you'd rather not go into detail.

No further explanation needed.

Just say you are having minor surgery and you prefer not to talk about it.

Tell them you have had a sex change operation, that will shut them up! :wub:

I've told people here at my job that I was getting a hernia fixed. It's not completely lying...they fixed my hernia while they were in there.

I don't advocate lying at all, but if they keep bugging you and just WILL not let it go (like I know my co-workers would have, although I told them all the truth) - you could tell them you had your gallbladder out...same exact area, pretty similar recovery time, etc, etc...

The weight loss may give it away though, unless you just say you felt you needed a healthy change after you had surgery and it prompted you to get better about your diet & exercise!

But I agree with everybody else as well, just tell them it's personal and you aren't talking about it they should shut up after that lol

I think the hernia or gallbladder excuses are the best ones. no need to explain the subsequent weight loss. no one will connect the dots.

Honestly, it's no one's business. (Treu) You can say you and the doctors have concerns about your digestive system and severe food allergies. (True) We ARE allergic to GMO's, Sugar, pesticides, refined & starchy carbs. (ALL TRUE, that is why we are fat. Our body does not metabolize them properly and cause terrible side effects. (again TRUE, obesity and irregular hormones.) And, you have been over-whelmed with questions about your health (true) so you'd rather stop talking about it. You are getting labs, an endoscopy, seeing a nutritionist (again ALL true) and you are starting all over with foods. (true again) Then, after surgery, they won't wonder why your diet is so small and weird. AND, bonus, you don't have to lie. You can even have a comprehensive food allergy panel done if you'd like Overall, people are nibby and nosey and usually want to know others' business so they have more things to talk about.

I think it's fair and honest to say you are having personal issues and while you appreciate the concern, you'd rather not go into detail.

No further explanation needed.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE.. :-)

No one needs to know if you don't want them to. You can just tell them you needed to take time off for personal reasons, which is true.

I'm in the same boat, as close as I am with my coworkers I really don't want them to know I'm doing this. They are all mostly thin and pretty and I just don't want the million questions or the talking behind my back stuff. I haven't figured out what I'm going to say yet but I better come up with something fast!!

I work at home so I don't have this problem. My daughter had it done a few years ago. She told them nothing..it wasn't anyone's business. But when she went back to work, she spent her lunch out walking the parking lot. People noticed she was losing weight, people questioned and she just said she went on a diet get healthy. You will be in control now instead of the food controlling you. Good luck.

I've been open with my job.. The company I work for is all about health... So there's been Agee people who've had this procedure but if your not comfortable with them knowing.... Just wow them!!!

Or tell them you were tending to a medical issue and I'm feeling better, thanks for asking. :-)

Tell them you have had a sex change operation' date=' that will shut them up! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':wub:' />[/quote']

That would shut them up! Ha! But il be looking to fabulous a women for them to buy it!!!

I wish I was brave enough to go down the open and honest route. Just feeling ashamed and embarrassed at the moment. Maybe when my confidence is back i won't mind telling people the truth. I also worry that work would have a problem with me taking sick leave for something that I guess is elective altho I know long term it's better for your health. The job is going so well I don't wana mess it up! Thank you all so much for your advise ????????????