Wooo hoooo!! two more weeks after tomorrow. What are they looking for with the labwork?? I had labs done 5 months ago, and everything was ok. So, I'm not too worried. Also, I meet with the surgeon. Any tips on what to ask him? Anything I should tell him? Would this be a good time to let him know I need him to approve 4 weeks off? That is how much time my employer's Short term disability insurance will approve for this surgery. I have a sedentary job, but I have to lug a 25 pound laptop bag in and out of my truck. I've also been told by friends to take as much time as I can, because they came back too soon, and ended up having to use up all their PTO. I have someone covering my desk for me, so no worries there. I would like to know when the best time to ask that particular question is. I don't want to wait till post op. help!

Have you verified with your HR folks as to what they need for short term disability. Make sure that they don't require you to use all of your PTO first. I'd start the dialog ASAP, so that you know as much as you can as to what everyone will require. That way it leaves you time to plan.

Wooo hoooo!! two more weeks after tomorrow. What are they looking for with the labwork?? I had labs done 5 months ago, and everything was ok. So, I'm not too worried. Also, I meet with the surgeon. Any tips on what to ask him? Anything I should tell him? Would this be a good time to let him know I need him to approve 4 weeks off? That is how much time my employer's Short term disability insurance will approve for this surgery. I have a sedentary job, but I have to lug a 25 pound laptop bag in and out of my truck. I've also been told by friends to take as much time as I can, because they came back too soon, and ended up having to use up all their PTO. I have someone covering my desk for me, so no worries there. I would like to know when the best time to ask that particular question is. I don't want to wait till post op. help!

1. Labwork...

Basically here they want to make sure you are healthy before surgery and also have something to compare to after surgery. There will be a lot of lab work right after surgery.

2. Time off work

Definitely communicate anything you need for work. It sometimes takes time to process and you don't want to be off and not get paid. Also make sure there isn't anything your employer needs.

Ask any questions you have now. Don't be afraid to ask anything. Make sure you know exactly what your surgeon is going to do and what he will require you to do.

Got work covered. I have to take the first week as pto, then STD kicks in at 100% for 25 weeks. I know I am allowed up to 4 weeks for this procedure. I have someone covering my desk, that my boss approved. I want that time to get well, and get acclimated to my new tummy and new way of eating before I go back to the job of meetings every other hour, "help me with this", write up this memo and meet with this person, be available to assist in terminating this person, be available to do interviews all day on this day and that day......no breaks, no lunch breaks. I am an abused supervisor. I am not "important" enough to be able to take my breaks. I am salaried, so no one gets in trouble for that. Nor for expecting me to work 60+ hours per week. I want this 4 weeks. I'm going to ask for it. Sure hope he understands.