I work in a large company and have PTO (and here PTO does actually mean Personal Time Off - but everyone is still VERY up everyone's business) I have already put in for 1 week & 2 days & my leave has already been approved by my supervisor.

Is it really necessary to use/turn in FMLA paperwork? Dr. Cabrera has already filled these in for me.

If I do go with the FMLA paperwork do I have to get a doctor's release to return to work?

My only concern is, what if I need more time to recover? Do you all think 11 days after surgery is enough to return to a low impact desk job - just mentally a painful!???

I'm just on the fence about the FMLA paperwork - because my HR department will tell my "big" boss who will tell everyone. Everyone on the floor I work will know and I just don't want that - I am VERY private and would like to keep it that way.

I understand the HIPPA laws, but trust me - this place everyone finds out your business, even though they shouldn't - they do.

When the questions start about "how are you losing weight" - I'm going to tell everyone I'm on medifast and no carbs & working.

Help me please!!!

FMLA - yes or no?

Dr. release to return to work - Necessary?

How much time do I really need to take off?

What is typical time off for most?

I was worried about the same thing as well but my surgeon's office was able to complete the paperwork without being specific about the kind of surgery I was having. Also, the reasons for FMLA leave should be confidential, regardless.

Cover your assests, so your job and your paycheck are not effected. Only you know what it in your heart, perhaps go in and talk to your big boss and ask him/her to keep this private and ask them also to help you keep it private with HR as well. Tell them you are doing this for your health and you would like to be honest with him about your time off but for now you'd like it to be private. I would make sure to have all the paper work submitted and filed before hand. Good luck with all of it!

I was sleeved on 2/06/14. I took off 12 days from work and I work for DHS and have a desk job. I wasn't told until the day before surgery at work by a co-worker that I had to fill out FMLA paperwork. I used my sick and annual leave and the FMLA was basically for my job security. I did not need a doctor's release to return back to work. I would definitely recommend taking at least a week off. I couldn't even sleep in my bed for almost a week, slept in my recliner. Best of luck to u. P.S. forget what others think or say, their opinions don't matter and do not define u. There will always be gossip. U have more important things to focus on, like your complete lifestyle change. You are retraining your body to eat all over again. This is both a physical and mental journey. Also remember this is MAJOR surgery.

I used my PLB time and then my FMLA. I say use the FMLA just in case something happens and you need more time off. FMLA saves your job if you need more time off from work. I thought I was really strong and would bounce right back, but it took me a month to go back to work. You maybe different.

I too didn't want to tell anyone about the surgery but once the pounds and mainly inches starts coming off and you start wearing new clothes, people are going to ask,"have you loss weight?" I would say, No, not really. But now, I just go ahead and say, yeah I did something during the Christmas and I go on from there. One of the reasons I felt like being honest is, I want to help people in losing weight and since our insurance did cover it, they too can do the same thing.