Hey guys,

So I finally got my date! The 26th of January 2015 and I can't wait.

However, I'm in a huge dilemma, because I need to get off work for at least 4 weeks. The thing is, that the mindset in my workplace is that surgery is the "easy way out" and people "just need to stop eating and start running more". This pisses me off, and to be honest I don't really want them to know about me having the gastric sleeve. It's not any of their business. But my doctor definitely wants me to tell them that I'm having surgery of some sort - just so if something happens when I start work again, that they know it could be something to do with that.

Therefore, I want to lie about what surgery I'm having. That's where I need your help. What surgery could "look" a lot like the gastric sleeve? And what are the symptoms of that surgery?

I was thinking of hernia, because I read about other people saying that, but must admit I don't know that much about it.. What are the symptoms, is it in the stomach etc.

Please, there is no way of me telling them the truth, why I would appreciate if comments about just telling my boss as it is could be left out. Thanks a lot!

Best,
B

Ps. As you might have noticed English isn't my first language, so please feel free to tell me if there's something you didn't quite understand :-)

I'm not a very good liar so I just told everyone I was having "surgery." It was none if their business what kind. If anyone had the nerve to ask for details, I just said that I preferred not to discuss it.

What is your height and weight in inches and pounds?

Why four weeks? That seems too long. Some take longer to heal than others, but you may find that one week off is plenty.

The hernia idea sounds good.

It really depends on how big you are if any excuse / explanation you give will work. If you are morbidly obese and take four weeks off of work, you will likely return having dropped a very noticeable amount of weight. Even if people don't catch on immediately, your continued weight loss will garner attention.

My best advise (since you have 5 weeks before surgery) is to start eating healthy now. Start bringing Protein shakes and salads to work and eat in front of others. Talk about this "new diet" you're on to anyone who will listen, and unless you have a very strenuous, manual labor type of job, I wouldn't take a month off of work. All that will do is raise more suspicion. If people ask you about taking time off, tell them that you had female / GYN surgery. Most people don't care to talk about female issues. Hernia repair is a good excuse but it is a very common surgery and people do not take 4 weeks off to recover from that kind of procedure.

Lots of people are just open and honest about having weight loss surgery, and others are not. It's a personal choice and your right not to share this with others. Good luck to you!

I agree with setting the stage now with your coworkers! After I met with the nutritionist I started talking about that to my friends at work about how I met with her and all the great advice I recieved and how I was going on a high Protein diet and so on...(which is all true!) Then I only took 10 days off because that's all I needed... and just said I was having a "medical procedure." Most people did not press for details but the few that did, I would give them a sad little face and say "ah, stomach stuff." (again true!) I can honestly tell you that not one person wanted to hear more haha! NOONE wants to talk about the vague "stomach stuff!" When I got back to work I just repeated that for the 1st 2 days to folks wondering where I'd been and after that nobody even asks.... that simple. And remember, it's your body, your business, your health, and you really do not owe your coworkers any explanation. You only owe them a job well done at the end of the workday. That's it right?

As for "the easy way out" I think of it like this... it's easier but not easy. We take easier ways all the time right? We no longer bang our clothes on rocks to wash them, walk 5 miles through the woods to work, or write letters in hand dipped ink... why if there is a solution to weight loss and better health is it not okay to use it if it is easier when it is okay to use easier ways for everything else in our lives? I just don't get it. Plus this is still A LOT of work!

5'5 and almost 240lbs I know someone asked that question and I have heard the easy way out thing so many times I no longer consider those people my friends or peoples who opinion I consider! Good luck

Yeah, no one's business. It's actually illegal for an employer to ask. It's a surgery. Period.

Just tell them you are having laparoscopic surgery. HIIPA laws prevent them from questioning you. And this is not an easy way out, it takes dedication and control. Plus I am only losing 1 to 3 pounds a week which you can lose if you are sticking to a diet. The only one in my family that knows is my daughter. My husband and son do not know because they are the ones who believe it's the easy way out.

A week off seems too little, I am week since surgery and can't seem to have enough energy or concentration for work. I had planned 2 weeks off, but today felt iffy.

Everybody is going to give you an opinion on what to do and say but you have to follow your gut feeling! You DO NOT have to tell anybody at work what kind of surgery you are going to have, if asked just say I'm sorry it's personal and I don't wish to talk about it! Don't lie or you will be labeled as one! If they see you loosing weight fast tell them that you changed your eating habits (not that you are on diet!) and no more explanations! After surgery you will be eating tons of protein as well as protein shakes then if you have room some vegetables and maybe some fruit! Start eating that! Google the Baritric surgery menus and follow them. Follow the Dr. instructions I know people are saying 4wks it's to long but there is always a reason for it, talk to your Dr. and between you both decide the Best option for you! The after surgery discomfort is not much but getting used to your new way of eating and drinking fluids it's the hard part. Many people end up in the hospital dehydrated and stressed because they went back to work to early. Drinking you fluids is VERY important or you WILL feel very tired! You have to drink at least 64oz a day to feel strong. (Measure your fluids every day)

I hope this helps but always talk to your Dr. Good luck on your healthy new journey, you CAN do this!

A week off seems too little, I am week since surgery and can't seem to have enough energy or concentration for work. I had planned 2 weeks off, but today felt iffy.

Hi try to drink more fluids at least 64 oz a day, that might help you. Make sure you measure it!

If you must, then say you are having your gall bladder out. Personally I would try to educate them and tell the truth. Have you seen the YouTube "top 10 reasons not to have WLS?" It's actually not what it sounds like. It's intelligent responses to all those naysayers.

If you must, then say you are having your gall bladder out. Personally I would try to educate them and tell the truth. Have you seen the YouTube "top 10 reasons not to have WLS?" It's actually not what it sounds like. It's intelligent responses to all those naysayers.

Hi Kate, I can't find that video you are talking about can you include the link, I would love to see it!

I'm sorry. I worked with a lady who I'm positive had lapband but never asked, never confirmed.

She had severe acid reflux and she had "stomach surgery."

if you want a believable lie just tell them you have a hiatal hernia. it's the same incisions for the laparoscopy and the same postop diet (from what i understand). I have some family members who are like a news channel and sometimes it's better for people not to know the whole truth. that's what I told everyone (: good luck