If you didn't tell people at work about your surgery, how did you explain the weeks gone and the fast weight loss?

I told my immediate supervisor and the HR dept in our corporate office but I do not want to tell my colleagues.

How did you do it? Any advice?

I told my coworkers so I could be held accountable in moments of weakness. Every day I get positive comments and words of encouragement. It's helped me not to get frustrated on hard days.

Edited September 26, 201510 yr by loo loo

I only told HR I was having surgery. The paper listed surgery specialty so she might have guessed but she can't tell. I told my boss I would be on FMLA for 4-6 weeks. I didn't elaborate and he can't ask. I told no one else I would be out... When I get back if they ask I will tell-- I didn't want to have to explain or deal with negativity....

I am extremely lucky and have a great boss and colleagues. I have been pretty much open with everyone when I started going to the mandated 6 months of classes and have found nothing but support for my decision. In being open about it, I have found two others in my office who have recently had it done and another who is having hers done the month after mine which has been great because we bounce problems/worries off each other and give support to one-another.

My question for everyone else is why try to hide it? Are you worried about what others may say or maybe worried it will alter your future at the job?

No hate on anyone. In my opinion, its your life and you should do whatever makes you the happiest.

I know that feeling. I had my surgery done and a hiatal hernia repair done at the same time so I just tell people I'm on a strict diet due to the hernia. Like you only my manager and directors know along with few close friends.

Now that I'm further out from surgery I can say it's based on individual preferences. If someone is trustworthy and they will offer support then I would tell them. If not it's none of their business. I had someone who was initially "happy" for me then say I look like I wasn't eating. She felt differently when I became thinner than her. I'm more mindful of who I tell now.

????????

I tell everyone that asks, I tell them that it is still work (my treadmill can attest) but that with this tool I am able to be a better me. I do not now, nor ever care what anyone thinks about me or my decision. I tell people because they or someone they know may be suffering with this also!

I switched jobs shortly after surgery and wasn't planning on telling my new coworkers. Not that I was keeping it a secret so much, I just didn't want the attention. But we all eat lunch in a common break room and there's no where else to really go, so multiple times a week I get questioned about why am I eating so little, why are my portions so small, how do I keep my energy up, etc, etc. It drives me crazy and I've ended telling a bunch of people. So far none of them have seemed judgemental, just lots of questions.