What to tell work?

[Kay York 53]

I haven't told my work about my surgery yet and need to tell them about my Pre op from 630a-130p. What other surgery do you have a preop for all day?

[Tiny One 223]

Legally, you are not required to give specifics. Only thing they need to know, if anything, is that you are getting surgery. They shouldn't ask for details. There's a federal law that protects your private health information.

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Say you have 'suspected' sugar issues, in which you keep having spikes and dips in your levels. Tell them you're having to go in to do an advanced glucose response test - which is why you have to go in early, so it's done on an empty stomach. I doubt they'll probe further than that.

[gamergirl 4,609]

"I have a medical procedure that requires me to be gone on tue morning and I'll be back in the afternoon". That's it. You don't need to say anything else.

If my staff told me that, all I am legally allowed to say, and even this is a bit dodgy is, "is everything okay?" " or " let me know If I can help". And you can just say yep, all good. End of discussion.

I've had people tell me very little and yet be gone for a weeks on health issues and I can't ask questions. I've had jr staffers express concern by saying "I hope it's nothing serious" and have had to scold them for it because it's inappropriate. If someone says that, just say "just routine stuff" and leave it at that.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

Yep exactly right! And if they require a note you're doctor can make something as vague as possible. They know the routine. Your job can't question or probe it.

[J.Diesel 220]

"I have a medical procedure that requires me to be gone on tue morning and I'll be back in the afternoon". That's it. You don't need to say anything else.

If my staff told me that' date=' all I am legally allowed to say, and even this is a bit dodgy is, "is everything okay?" " or " let me know If I can help". And you can just say yep, all good. End of discussion.

I've had people tell me very little and yet be gone for a weeks on health issues and I can't ask questions. I've had jr staffers express concern by saying "I hope it's nothing serious" and have had to scold them for it because it's inappropriate. If someone says that, just say "just routine stuff" and leave it at that.

[/quote']

gamergirl is absolutely correct. Nothing more to add.

[I Am Resolute! 10]

I did not say anything at work until I was ready. It so happened that about 2 weeks prior to the time that I expected to bring this forward a staff member left and we were asked pretty directly about any future time off that we had planned. I chose to be up front, we are a small office and "surgery" followed by a large weight loss could cause some real concern. By serendipity my manager had spent time the previous weekend speaking with a former co worker who had had gastric bypass and had a very good and healthy understanding of the process. I found that I am well supported and feel every so much better to have it out in the open. I believe "timing is everything".

[Kay York 53]

Thanks! I really am having sugar issues and you are right I don't need to tell them anything!

[Tiny One 223]

Yep exactly right! And if they require a note you're doctor can make something as vague as possible. They know the routine. Your job can't question or probe it.

Right, my doctor wrote abdominal surgery on my paperwork.

[RCN 25]

All I told my job was that I have a surgery coming up and that I'll proved a doctors off work note soon.