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

Any suggestions on what type of surgery I can say I am having at work?



Recommended Posts

I work in an office full of women and I am very torn as to whether I want to tell anyone about my revision. No one knows I have the band to begin with, so I would have to go through that whole story too. I am going to Mexico for my surgery and just don't want to hear it from everyone. My boss will know, but I don't know what to do about everyone else. I don't want people to find out later and then feel like the big liar of the office.

What did everyone say at work? How did you explain your weight loss? Please help!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This topic comes up at least once a month like clockwork. Here's my opinion. You can for a search to see others:

  • A. There is nothing to be ashamed of regarding WLS.
  • B. You are not obligated to tell anyone anything.
  • C. There is no need to lie. If someone asks about your weight loss, say "Thank you" and keep it moving. Unless you want to discuss it and are prepared to deal with the nay sayers, don't put yourself in a position to look like a liar or a weak person. I pick and choose who I share info with, but I am a private person by nature. I am picky about what aspects of my personal life I share in general.

Edited by BLERDgirl

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you don want to tell them say your taking personal time. That's not a lie. Usually when you say "personal" people will drop it...except for a nosey few. If you happen to have a nosey few saying "it's none of your damn business" can also shut the questions up in a hurry. Then they will have a reason to talk about you, or perhaps they will encourage your leave of absence :)-

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I suggest a large hiatus hernia. After that surgery it is normal not to each large amounts of food for fear of vomiting or hiccups.

Good luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Janex43 I'm going with hiatal hernia repair. That way I'm not lying. My doctor plays to repair a hiatal hernia if he finds one as I have severe GERD. he may also take out my gallbladder so ifthat occurs I will also say I had that done too

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hI...

I, too, work in an office of women. I was over 300 pounds, and I didn't care who knew because this is MY decision. I am very proud that I chose the Sleeve. I wanted to make myself healthier and had tried many different ways to loose weight.

I did not have any problems, even when returing to work. They were very proud of me for my decision and I was actually an inspriation, because they all started eating healthier.

If you are worried about what others will say and think....just remember, it is YOUR body, not theirs. There will be some who say "easy way out", when it really is not. Just let them know it is a TOOL and it is YOUR responsiblity to get yourself healthier.

Enjoy this new journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your input. Part of me wants to say something because I hate having to always cover a lie, I just don't want to hear comments when people are uninformed. I am leaning towards not lying because I think it will help me be accountable too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I had lapband I didn't tell anyone at work, and almost no family or friends. I said I had "routine female stuff, nothing life threatening" and left it at that. It does create a snowball of lies.

I said that the gas and anesthesia left some lingering nausea and that I had dropped 10 lbs recovering. After dropping 20-30 lbs I said that losing that 10 spurred me to try to drop some more. Tangled web stuff... Shortly after I just fessed up and told everyone that I had LabBand surgery. I told my closer friends and co-workers that I it was such a personal difficult decision, that I was afraid of failure, of being under a microscope, of being judged.... Everyone seemed to understand. Of course, by 30-40 lbs down all those initial fears were a thing of the past!

I totally understand if you want to keep this a personal decision and journey.... for a while or for always. If you do, I would go with the hiatal hernia surgery.

P.S. For my revision I told EVERYONE. I was put on a prayer list at work for my surgery day, and got many supporting texts while I was recovering. The encouragement has been very uplifting.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I told people too. I wasn't going to at first but then I decided why not. I'm not ashamed and I really don't care what they think. The reality is they are very supportive and happy for me

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the main reason I am hesitating is because I am going to Mexico for surgery and I know I will hear A LOT about that because I am a nurse and work at a doctors office! I am sure I will hear ALL sorts of reasons that I am crazy!! LoL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the main reason I am hesitating is because I am going to Mexico for surgery and I know I will hear A LOT about that because I am a nurse and work at a doctors office! I am sure I will hear ALL sorts of reasons that I am crazy!! LoL

It's still NONE of anyone's business. You are taking a few days off. Period.

You are under NO obligation to say anything further. If they want to speculate, oh well.....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My circumstances are a bit different. My husband's office is filled with catty women. He's the only man and the owner. I told very few people at the office about my surgery, after the fact. I'm sure everyone knows by now but I could care less. I did it for ME!!!! I know this doesn't help much if you don't want people to know!

My son's boss/best friend had something done, but has never said anything to anyone, even though several in the office, including my son, have had the sleeve. Know that people are going to speculate even if you don't tell them!!!

Hiatal hernia can only take you so far!!! Good luck, whatever you decide!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nunyabizectomy. :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I said i made a drastic lifestyle change to regain control an i do a strict Portion Control an watch what i eat now. After 4 months i would just smile at ppl and say lets not talk about me talk about something else! Now after 8 months and 100 down i just smile and still say my weight is not up for conversation. Haha..its still not public knowledge nor dies my family no..????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Personal (true) female (true) surgery. If they persist, tell 'em you're getting a labia lift and vaginal tightening. ;) Or a penile implant. Or your hemorrhoids removed. Embarrass them into asking you nothing else.

Or you can go my route and simply say, "I'm fine, but it's personal. Thank you in advance for respecting my privacy." That leaves no room for further inquiry.

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

    ×