Hello all!

I’m at the very beginning of my path for WLS. I’m leaning toward gastric bypass but am not 100% decided.

I have a few questions:

1. How long should I expect to be off work? How long were you off?

2. What did you tell your boss when asking for time off?

3. What did you tell your co-workers?

Thank you! [emoji4]

I don’t plan to tell anyone at work. It’s a small office and everyone is thin. And although I’m judging them by assuming they’d judge me, Lol, I’d rather go with my gut thinking they’d pass judgement. So, I’m basically hoping to subtly create my story for them. In passing conversation I drop comments like, “I think cutting out carbs is making me tired”, (true)or “I feel like my legs got run over by a truck after I walked 3 miles yesterday” (also true). I’ve got Atkins supplements on my desk and am eating a lot of protein. My surgery is in 3 weeks. I’m taking off 3 days for “vacation” - Wed (surgery), Thurs, and Friday. And back to work Monday...I pray. I also hope that the weight comes off slowly so as to make my narrative more plausible. Haha. We shall see.

I don’t plan to tell anyone at work. It’s a small office and everyone is thin. And although I’m judging them by assuming they’d judge me, Lol, I’d rather go with my gut thinking they’d pass judgement. So, I’m basically hoping to subtly create my story for them. In passing conversation I drop comments like, “I think cutting out carbs is making me tired”, (true)or “I feel like my legs got run over by a truck after I walked 3 miles yesterday” (also true). I’ve got Atkins supplements on my desk and am eating a lot of Protein. My surgery is in 3 weeks. I’m taking off 3 days for “vacation” - Wed (surgery), Thurs, and Friday. And back to work Monday...I pray. I also hope that the weight comes off slowly so as to make my narrative more plausible. Haha. We shall see.

Working for me so far! (I think lol). Told them started an exercise routine and upped protein— cut out sugar, carbs etc

Weight comes off pretty fast . I’m about 8 weeks out and down about 38 lbs without exercise


HW 242
SW 236- December 20, 2017
CW 198
GW 160

Working for me so far! (I think lol). Told them started an exercise routine and upped protein— cut out sugar, carbs etc

Weight comes off pretty fast . I’m about 8 weeks out and down about 38 lbs without exercise


HW 242
SW 236- December 20, 2017
CW 198
GW 160

How exciting! Congrats! Can’t wait to be down in ONEderland .....

How exciting! Congrats! Can’t wait to be down in ONEderland [emoji4].....

Thanks! You’ll get there!


HW 242
SW 236- December 20, 2017
CW 197
GW 160

I took a full two weeks off from work, was sleeved 2/13, and scheduled to come back to work 2/28, which is also the day of my first follow up appointment after work.
If I'm feeling better, i may come back a few days early.

However, my coworkers just know that I'm having surgery, they don't know what kind, and they're expecting me to tell them what it was when i get back. I've thought about it and i want to come up with maybe something else to tell them, i just don't think the people i work with will be very supportive of WLS and of ME, and i don't want negative energy.
Any ideas?

6 minutes ago, Sleevedvee said:

I took a full two weeks off from work, was sleeved 2/13, and scheduled to come back to work 2/28, which is also the day of my first follow up appointment after work.
If I'm feeling better, i may come back a few days early.

However, my coworkers just know that I'm having surgery, they don't know what kind, and they're expecting me to tell them what it was when i get back. I've thought about it and i want to come up with maybe something else to tell them, i just don't think the people i work with will be very supportive of WLS and of ME, and i don't want negative energy.
Any ideas?

I’ve heard a lot of people using hernias or gallbladder as a cover up

I’ve heard a lot of people using hernias or gallbladder as a cover up

Do you know how long a hernia recovery would be?

I was off work for six weeks. (I have short-term disability that pays at 100% and the policy gave that much time off for VGS.) I was very devoted to my journey during my six month pre-op diet program, so my entire team (including my boss, who is a dear friend) knew about the surgery long before I had it. Most of them talked to my family the day of the surgery, and they were supportive during my medical leave and after I came back to work.

In fact, I told anyone and everyone about my journey, including the surgery. It helped to educate people about the realities of the situation and has helped to hold me accountable!

Do you know how long a hernia recovery would be?

It is 2-4 weeks.

I was off work for six weeks. (I have short-term disability that pays at 100% and the policy gave that much time off for VGS.) I was very devoted to my journey during my six month pre-op diet program, so my entire team (including my boss, who is a dear friend) knew about the surgery long before I had it. Most of them talked to my family the day of the surgery, and they were supportive during my medical leave and after I came back to work.
In fact, I told anyone and everyone about my journey, including the surgery. It helped to educate people about the realities of the situation and has helped to hold me accountable!

I was approved 6 weeks as well with short term. Everyone at my job knows too. I work in a hospital so for me the decision to tell people was a no brained. Not super excited about telling the world but if they ask I will be honest because this was not an easy decision nor the fastest solution. Everyday is a challenge mentally and physically. I agree with you on educating people. My son has learned the most from me. The other day he looked at the back of a box to look at ingredients and calories. He said okay I am going to have 2 pieces for 70 calories. It felt amazing because he did that on his own at 9years old.

Does anyone who has already had their surgery feel like you could have gone back to work earlier? I’m getting sleeved this Friday (2/23) and have a work commitment Monday and Tuesday (2/26-2/27) that I agreed to prior to booking my surgery. I didn’t really want to tell anyone at work, so I was just going to try to tough it out and go, but I’m starting to get a little nervous. I can always say I came down with something if I don’t feel up to it come Monday, but I feel like that may be worse than letting them know ahead of time. From what I’ve heard, it’s more of a mental game and getting used to the lifestyle that’s hard after surgery than not feeling well physically... any suggestions?

30 minutes ago, Christina033 said:

Does anyone who has already had their surgery feel like you could have gone back to work earlier? I’m getting sleeved this Friday (2/23) and have a work commitment Monday and Tuesday (2/26-2/27) that I agreed to prior to booking my surgery. I didn’t really want to tell anyone at work, so I was just going to try to tough it out and go, but I’m starting to get a little nervous. I can always say I came down with something if I don’t feel up to it come Monday, but I feel like that may be worse than letting them know ahead of time. From what I’ve heard, it’s more of a mental game and getting used to the lifestyle that’s hard after surgery than not feeling well physically... any suggestions?

There is absolutely no way I could have done that.

If you say you're having a hiatal hernia repair...you might not even be lying:)

Edited February 20, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

I've opted to tell only one person here at work, and I know she'll keep it under wraps. I signed out of office for 2.5 weeks and offered no explanation. A couple of colleagues have asked what I'm doing (assuming vacation) and I simply said minor surgical procedure. Fortunately, they are too polite to ask for more details, but I was prepared to go the hiatal hernia route if pressed, because it IS true.

Does anyone who has already had their surgery feel like you could have gone back to work earlier? I’m getting sleeved this Friday (2/23) and have a work commitment Monday and Tuesday (2/26-2/27) that I agreed to prior to booking my surgery. I didn’t really want to tell anyone at work, so I was just going to try to tough it out and go, but I’m starting to get a little nervous. I can always say I came down with something if I don’t feel up to it come Monday, but I feel like that may be worse than letting them know ahead of time. From what I’ve heard, it’s more of a mental game and getting used to the lifestyle that’s hard after surgery than not feeling well physically... any suggestions?

Sorry, i don't think so
Mine was 2/13, and i have a work thing this wednesday-Thursday 2/21-22, and i don't think I'm going. It involves dinner, hotel, and an all day training on Thursday....

I was in a lot of pain and very weak since my surgery until yesterday (Monday) which was the first day i went outside for a walk.
I totally thought I'd be back at work early but I see now why a week and a half to two weeks is necessary. You have to let you body heal properly, and you have to get your protein and fluids in. Those first days at home were the hardest i can't imagine doing them anywhere else.
Message me if you have questions since i just went through it and am still home healing!!


HW: 221
SW: 209
CW: 202

Sleeved 2/13/18