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

What to tell co-workers?



Recommended Posts

I am going back to work tomorrow and I don't know what to tell my co-works. I lied and said I was getting my apendix out. But they are going to start noticing that I'm not eatting lunch with them (we order out almost everyday) I won't be able to eat normally for a couple weeks. I am normally really honest with people but for some reason I want to keep this a very personal thing. I guess I don't want anyone judging me or making comments about things they really have no idea about.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Absolutely none of their business. Bring your own food and join them. When they see you losing, they'll start bringing salads!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you don't feel comfortable disclosing the surgery you could tell them that you are on a medically supervised diet- It's the truth!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish that I had told no one about my band. Now all I here every time I see someone that knows it is "how much have you lost". Even if it has only been 2 days. It is like they think that I should be dropping 5 pounds a day or something. If I could go back I would have just told my family and my best friend.

You can just tell them that you are on a new special diet and leave it at that. That is the truth in a way.

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tell them that your doctor has placed you on a special diet for 6 weeks.

I told that to my co-workers, working out good so far.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish that I had told no one about my band. Now all I here every time I see someone that knows it is "how much have you lost". Even if it has only been 2 days. It is like they think that I should be dropping 5 pounds a day or something. If I could go back I would have just told my family and my best friend.

You can just tell them that you are on a new special diet and leave it at that. That is the truth in a way.

Good luck.

I second that. I'm getting the same thing from co-workers. Everyday at least 5 people ask me how much I've lost. I really regret telling people at work.

I don't think there's anything wrong with telling people that you decided to lose some weight so you're on a new diet. As phlyinphebee said, it's still the truth.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on 2/7/07 and have chosen not to tell my co-workers. I have always been brutally honest, but for some reason decided to keep quiet. I didn't want everyone staring at what I was eating. I think its o.k. to keep it private.

Hang in there!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't tell co-workers, either. The nice thing about the band is that the loss is not so immediately dramatic that anyone will think that something is up. I just told them (not a lie) that I didn't feel like eating right after surgery (true) and decided that as I was recuperating and not hungry that it would be a good time to start changing my eating habits. I had one nosy woman come up to me and say, "...I have to ask you the question that everyone wants to know...did you have gastric bypass?" I (honestly) told her that I did not. I later mentioned that conversation to another co-worker and he said to me, "She's nuts...you would have lost 75# by now if you had done that!" They have watched me struggle to diet for years and have watched my weight go up and down multiple times. It's funny, but as much as I worried about what they would all think, I don't think they pay much attention to what I do or don't eat or what size I am wearing. People are not nearly as interested in our lives as we think they are. There will always be those whose lives are so empty that they need to focus on changes in ours. (Like the busybody who asked about gastric bypass.) I just keep smiling and let them wonder.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I only told my best friends and my close family, because I've been judged enough throughout my life...

Last year, my sister had a portion of her small intestine taken out, her appendix and her gall bladder. It was all done laproscopically. (They thought she had Crone's disease, which she doesnt, and at first they thought they were just taking out her appendix, but..)She was put on a full liq diet for awhile, and even now can't eat fatty foods. SO I told everyone that that was what I had done, and when they kept asking me about my liq diet I told them that b/c my system was so swollen, I couldnt handle anything else. That way, everyone knows I had surgery and what not,so it wont be weird if I was sore (which I am) but they dont know what i had done

I am usually honest with people, but for people who havent been overweight for so long and who havent had this done, they have no idea that its not an easy way out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just told people that I started low carb. I measure my stuff out and bring it to work. When they ask, I just say that it is the recommended serving of stuff... and then I complain a little bit. "Look at this, this is a bite not a meal..." grumble grumble... and then we talk about 'diet hell' as it has been named.

When I was on liquids, I told them I started Medifast, shake for Breakfast, shake for lunch, no one there to see me at dinner time...

Good luck. Hope no one figures it out. I did not tell anyone at my new job and someone knew someone somewhere that had it done and now everyone has figured it out. One lady even came up and asked me, and I did not lie... she asked if I recommended it and I honestly replied "no". None of my students have said anything... and I have even made it on field trips to buffets with no one the wiser... so all is well there. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't tell anyone either! It's surprising how if you push food around on your plate, nobody really notices when you don't actually eat it. Just remember, once you do tell, you can't take it back!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going to need to take 4-5 days off work for this.

Didn't your office co-workers wonder where you were? Didn't they wonder why you moved around a little slower than normal after you came back?

That's my problem, me taking off that much time in a row will send up red flags in my office, there 6 of us.

I think I'm going to "lie" and tell them I needed to have an ovarian cyst removed.

Does that sound beliveable?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going to need to take 4-5 days off work for this.

Didn't your office co-workers wonder where you were? Didn't they wonder why you moved around a little slower than normal after you came back?

That's my problem, me taking off that much time in a row will send up red flags in my office, there 6 of us.

I think I'm going to "lie" and tell them I needed to have an ovarian cyst removed.

Does that sound beliveable?

An ovarian cyst is the excuse I used and the best thing about it is that afterwards I have been telling people at school that I am doing a low fat dairy "cleanse" (which is actually a recommended course of action to deal with ovarian cysts... my naturopath put me on one a couple of years ago) when they see me with my Protein shake and yogurt. It shuts them right up.

(I thought about saying that I was doing a slim-fast type shake diet, but didn't feel like having to deal with my skinny friends trying to talk me out of what they call "pointless crash dieting".... )

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ovarian cyst is a good idea. I told mine I had to have a hernia repair, which I did at the same time I was getting my lap-band.

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

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×