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'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.

You're so lucky, the people i work with are nosy and super judgmental. Love them but when it comes to anything outside of their typical lifestyle, they judge the crap out of you.


HW: 221
SW: 209
CW: 202

Sleeved 2/13/18

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?

I had RNY 2/7/18 and I am physically drained. Idk might me possible with it being a sleeve but reminder it is major surgery. Mentally I am ready to go to work but physically I don’t think I could do it. Good luck hopefully all goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

Thanks for all of the responses! I decided to take a week and see how it goes. I kept my explanation vague... “I’m having a small surgery and recovery is going to be longer than I thought it was going to be.” I didn’t get any questions asked, but maybe they’ll get raised at some point. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it! Thanks again and good luck to all!

Thanks for all of the responses! I decided to take a week and see how it goes. I kept my explanation vague... “I’m having a small surgery and recovery is going to be longer than I thought it was going to be.” I didn’t get any questions asked, but maybe they’ll get raised at some point. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it! Thanks again and good luck to all!

Good luck to you. Keep us updated!

I am planning 2 weeks off. Can take more if needed.
I have told my closest friends at work but didn’t want my bosses to know. We have a small team and one person out with a baby. Didn’t want them to be judgey about me doing it now also. HR said I didn’t have to tell them and just approved my time off and told manager I was having a procedure.

Very similar situation here.
My coworker had a baby last week so I didn’t want animosity about me being out also. So I told them procedure. HR knows the details and just told my manager I was to be off on FMLA.
I took two weeks (surgery is Friday) but can reevaluate weekly.

Screw em! They don’t need to know anything medical. Lol

My small work group was my second family and I knew there was NO way I could deny what I was doing, and didn't want to. We didn't all work the same days and only worked together on Fridays, so to save myself a LOT of talking and them a LOT of questions, I wrote them a letter! I highlighted my years-long struggle which they'd all been aware of, my reasons for doing it, what I was having done exactly, and what the first few weeks after would be like, then left a copy on everyone's desk. They were all SUPER-supportive and excited for me. I did tell them that I didn't want to advertise it to all our patients, and asked them not to mention it openly in the gym area, and they were great about that.

I had the VSG and scheduled two weeks off with the option for a third, but ended up going back for two half-days 10 days in because I felt great and was SO BORED. With the RNY being a much more extensive surgery, you'd probably want a little more than that, depending on what your job isl

...so to save myself a LOT of talking and them a LOT of questions, I wrote them a letter! I highlighted my years-long struggle which they'd all been aware of, my reasons for doing it, what I was having done exactly, and what the first few weeks after would be like, then left a copy on everyone's desk.

I love this. I am usually very private about doctor appointments and such, but I don’t want to be dishonest with people, either. I have at least six months to think about what to say to friends, coworkers, and family, and you’ve got me seriously thinking about writing a note or maybe a blog post.

My small work group was my second family and I knew there was NO way I could deny what I was doing, and didn't want to. We didn't all work the same days and only worked together on Fridays, so to save myself a LOT of talking and them a LOT of questions, I wrote them a letter! I highlighted my years-long struggle which they'd all been aware of, my reasons for doing it, what I was having done exactly, and what the first few weeks after would be like, then left a copy on everyone's desk. They were all SUPER-supportive and excited for me. I did tell them that I didn't want to advertise it to all our patients, and asked them not to mention it openly in the gym area, and they were great about that.
I had the VSG and scheduled two weeks off with the option for a third, but ended up going back for two half-days 10 days in because I felt great and was SO BORED. With the RNY being a much more extensive surgery, you'd probably want a little more than that, depending on what your job isl

Aw that's a really great idea and I'm so glad they were supportive! I feel like my coworkers would laugh in my face if i wrote them a letter [emoji52]


HW: 221
SW: 209
CW: 202

Sleeved 2/13/18