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 :-)

Dont lie. It isn't necessary.

I am almost 2 years out and the only people in my life that know is my husband and our younger son. Our oldest still doesn't know and won't. Only reason one knows is because he lived with us at the time. I believe one's personal business is just that.

I was out and about normally within about a week. I just declined any social events that included food for the first 6 weeks. I have lost weight many, many, many times throughout my life. (Who among us has not, yes?) When people ask me how much I have lost I say "a bunch." If they ask how I am doing it, my reply is one pound at a time. You get my drift....

What I am getting at is that just because someone asks you a question, you are not obligated to answer it. I will give someone two chances and then my reply is my weight is not a topic of discussion that I care to talk about.

My surgery was the best thing I have ever done for my health and I am very proud to have had it done. I am also just a very private person and don't feel the need to be the poster child for weight loss surgery.

Best of luck to you, it is not the easy way out by any means and it will take all the strength you can muster at times.

It will be worth it. Very worth it!

When people asked me at work what kind of surgery had, I simply said abdominal surgery and left it at that.

I was honest about it at work. Then again 5 of my co-workers had the surgery done as well so it wasn't seen as a big deal.

HIPPA does protect you. If your employer or co-workers harass you about your surgery, you have every right to file a complaint against them.

The reason you're having this surgery is to save your life. If your doctor thought you could lose weight te old fashioned way you wouldn't be getting it. Don't be ashamed of it.

i would tell them its to fix a hernia, probably hialatal? *sp* as suggested. other than that, it's not their businesss...and if your dr. puts you out of work for 4 weeks, by law arent you entitled to that?

Don't forget FMLA. Family Medical Leave Act. I will be using it spring 2015 when I get my sleeve. Been banking my leave. I have to take 6 weeks off and my job won't let me back until I am ready. Take care of yourself first.

I had surgery a few years ago to remove a benign abdominal mass. The surgeon cut me open like a gutted fish. Staples from stem to stern. That isn't something anyone hears about every day of the week. And it generally does't happen more than once. It's a great way to shut people up, too. kinda drastic, if you're looking for a fib if anyone asked why you had surgery.

I told them I was having my gallbladder out which they don't know I had my gallbladder out 8 years ago before I knew anyone.

I told my work I was having surgery for my ovaries and that the anaeathesia made me sick so I lost weight hehe then the weight lost was motivation to keep eating healthier I know I sound like such a liar but everyone at my work judges and like its no ones business hehe

Don't like to lie. But if you must I recommend and ulcer. You will be on acid reducers after for a long time. You will have a modified diet same as an ulcer patient. Ulcers come back for retreating in case of complication.

Remember that the sleeve was originally effective as ulcer and stomach cancer treatment

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.

I was sleeved on Nov 17th. Down 29lbs. My original plan was 2 weeks off and return back to work the Monday after Thanksgiving. I had also made arrangements with my management to work from home for 2-3 weeks.

A few days post op I decided to give my body the rest and exercise it truly needed to recover and be successfully on this journey. Although my job allows remote working it is extremely intense , fast pace and high stress levels.

I decided to take short term disability and use the time to rest, get my Protein intake in, walk and exercise daily and really educate myself on nutrition. This was the best decision for me. I return back to work on Monday.

I should make mention that in addition to my sleeve I did have a hernia repair.

I told a couple people inwas having my hernia repaired. I had a baby 17 months ago and gained a lot of weight. I used to weigh 198 and now I'm at 326. Everyone in my office knows how hard I worked to get my weight off before. So for me, it's just easier. I know people who had hernia repairs and lost a lot of weight while being at home. Frankly, it's no one's business unless you make it their business. I've learned where I work, I like to keep my business to myself.

Why not say your having your gallbladder out? Thats done the same way Larascopically. I had mine out 3 years ago and Im like you have my Gadtric sleeve operation but on 28th January...I CANT Wait! I started my milk diet today ..for me it was pre op 4 weeks on liquids. I stopeed tak8ng my Ompeprozole yesterday as Gotta have an Endoscopy on the 19th . Not looking forward to that...but been told I be sedated. So if I was you say your Gallbladder. Same incisions and healing time.

Gallbladder disease is prevalent after WLS. If that were to happen and then its surgical removal were necessary, then what?

I had my gallbladder out aged ago.

GingerDiane, I had an endoscopy. Not a big deal. No after effects from the anesthesia or the procedure.