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Telling People about WLS

anrobe

By anrobe, in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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anrobe    34

anrobe
Posted

I've told just a few trusted friends and family members about my upcoming WLS. Soon, I will need to ask for time off from work for surgery and I'm pretty sure my boss will ask what surgery I'm having (even if he's not supposed to) and I'm not sure whether or not I want to tell him. But, if he asks, I'm not sure how to politely say I don't want to tell you. LOL I'm not sure if he'll be overtly non-supportive but I have no idea. People react very strangely about WLS in my experience. If I hear one more time about all of the terrible things people have heard about WLS, I'll scream. I'm just trying to tackle this work discussion and how to approach it. Any suggestions?

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Bufflehead    6,358

Bufflehead
Posted

Hint that it's something personal and embarrassing. "If I told you we'd both be mortified." "Trust me, you don't want the gory details any more than I want to give them to you." Or be even more general, which can get the message across without actually saying it. For example:

Him: What kind of surgery are you having?

You: It's nothing immediately life-threatening, I promise.

Him: What are you having this surgery for?

You: Stuff I need to get taken care of. Don't worry though, I will be fine!

ETA definitely don't lie and say something it isn't (gall bladder, hernia repair, etc.). People will eventually figure out what kind of surgery you had and you don't want to look shady at work!

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anrobe    34

anrobe
Posted

Those are great suggestions ... thanks so much. Yes, I don't want to lie ... I just want him to not keep asking me what surgery lol

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reree6898    1,164

reree6898
Posted

Just be direct and tell him it's a private matter and let that be that. You may want to check with HR about FMLA just to be safe and sure that your job is safe while you recover if you haven't already.

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hdw85    48

hdw85
Posted

I told my boss I was having an elective surgery and she never asked anymore.. I have told everyone at work now that I am 3 weeks post op, everyone but one person has been super supportive. The one that wasn't was one that responded with all the dangers that can come with WLS, I just said, " well thanks for your concern" and smiled! Good luck

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els    21

els
Posted

An employer cannot ask what surgery you are having, it is private! They can however ask for a Doctor's note advising how long you require off work. I asked my Dr to supply a note stating I required 2 weeks off work due to surgery - no further detail. End of.

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gord1972    19

gord1972
Posted

After surgery you will be a better employee. Faster, more stamina, less risk of injury , illness claims or time off. .. I have been very open about my VSG. So far everyone ( except my mom who feared i would die on the table) is very supportive. Yesterday a female friend i went to dinner with jokingly said I traded in my food addiction for anorexia 4 months ago. It made me laugh as i am still over 350 lbs and 5 foot 5.

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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