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

I need some good come backs



Recommended Posts

Well it finally happened . I have only been back to work for 2 weeks. I am one month post op, and 30 pounds down. I was talking to one of my co-workers , she told me I looked really good and to keep up the good work. Then she continued to say "you know what everyone in the office is saying right?" Then told me that they were talking about you and said they think you had a bypass surgery . I chose not to tell anyone because I just don't feel it's their business . And I was sleeved anyway. I only told who mattered husband kids parents sisters . We work in a hospital so it's a big place . I told her I have been exercising and eating healthy . She didn't seem to care if I did or didn't . I told her I am honored that they were concerned but how come they can talk behind closed doors but not one has said you look good or are you sick nothing or in fact asked why I was out for a month. How do they know I'm not sick or something ? They actually made my day knowing that they have nothing else to do except talk about my weight loss . But here's my problem now I can't stand "the office people" and want to tell them off one by one . I can't help think that someone researched my doctors name off of my letter for my time off, because the 30 lbs is not that noticeable that one would think oh she had surgery . I'm not good at this stuff !! How do I handle it , do I ignore , do I assume they know for a fact and if they do that's a hippa violation if they researched. Or do I have some quick answers ready to give back to them ?????

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Why assume anything? There are several possibilities and, unless someone names the one, you'll never know what they may know as fact. If someone does say, "We know you had bariatric surgery," ask how they know such a thing. If the answer reveals research, then make a formal complaint if you wish. Otherwise don't go getting even slightly paranoid. You have more important things to do.

If you want to stop the gossip behind your back, tell the next one who comments on your appearance that you hadn't been well. (It's true as far as not feeling so hot in the days right after surgery.) If someone says, "We think you had bypass," tell her that you had coronary bypass. Not true, but they'll feel like creeps for being yentas.

Make up any preposterous, ludicrous or otherways farfetched story that entertains you. When asked about my nonstandard appendectomy incision (an 8" vertical cut starting a couple of inches above my belly button and just to its right), I said I'd been camping in the back country of Yellowstone when appendicitis struck. With no way to get back to a more populated area, I drank enough and performed appendectomy myself. If you say anything with a straight face and keep it simple, people will believe you or at least believe that it's possible.

Edited by WLSResources/ClothingExch

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At some point they will all start coming up and directly asking, so indeed have what answer you want at the ready. For me, I opted not to disclose but told one person I know who I love dearly but can be a bit of a blabber mouth in the office that I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (true) and that I was having surgery(true) I just left the gastrectomy part off. The hernia story got around the office but of course with massive weight loss a bunch of people still gossiped about me having a gastric bypass.

When I was asked what I was doing to lose weight, I told people what I was comfortable sharing (and that was true) I was working with a registered dietitian, exercising with a personal trainer, attending a weight loss support group, and doing anything and everything possible to lose weight. That answer seemed to satisfy people. I do understand the concept of lying by omission and am definitely guilty of it but I choose not to overtly lie to anyone. Do what feels right for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

But what's the big secret really u had surgery to improve ur life and there is no shame in that of course with weight loss and a rapid one at that speculation come with this process be open be honest u did this for u don't hide ur truth

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tell them if they are writing a book to leave your chapter out of it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

But what's the big secret really u had surgery to improve ur life and there is no shame in that of course with weight loss and a rapid one at that speculation come with this process be open be honest u did this for u don't hide ur truth

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm not planning to tell anyone about my personal medical decisions. It has nothing to do with shame. It has to do with people thinking they have the right to get up in your business and offer unwelcome judgement and advice. No thanks.

Sent from my LGLS992 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just tell them you had a scare in the family so now your losing weight to better yourself... Also if any of the office people say anything to you then I would get them for a hippa violation. There are other people who need a job and if they want to play stocker they can in the jail house

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been a lot about this topic and what my comeback will be to people. And here is how I'm going to try to handle it: "I feel great, thanks for noticing" and then ask them a question to quickly change the subject.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My one episode of yenta-ism,sorry for this, I asked a friend (and 2nd cousin) if she'd had cancer. No she' d been sleeved, found out later from her mom, my 1st cousin. Sorry Tonya I of all people should have known better, it just rolled off my lips.

Sent from my S55 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use a variation of this. When I went back to work i just called all of us together because there were various rumors. I first I confirmed my penis reduction surgery and that explains why my pants are already loose. Then I told them that I had an alien baby in my stomach and there will be constant growling. I did slip in wls before mentioning that I was doing the Mexico Water diet to constantly flush EVERYTHING out of my body and that I would be loosing weight one toilet flush at a time.

I have fun with it. Just tell them not to believe everything that they hear and give everyone a different bogus story.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Make up any preposterous, ludicrous or otherways farfetched story that entertains you. When asked about my nonstandard appendectomy incision (an 8" vertical cut starting a couple of inches above my belly button and just to its right), I said I'd been camping in the back country of Yellowstone when appendicitis struck. With no way to get back to a more populated area, I drank enough and performed appendectomy myself. If you say anything with a straight face and keep it simple, people will believe you or at least believe that it's possible.

Lol! Great story... hope your recovering well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm doing the hiatal hernia story too. I plan to tell people I had complications and have a hard time eating then I will Segway into getting a trainer and stuff. I work in a hospital, it's gossip city. I'm usually open and honest but they'll resent me for taking time off for this so I choose to remain private. To each his own.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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

    • 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.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 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

    ×