What to tell coworkers?

[chelsey211 21]

I am only in the approval phase for VSG. I hope to have surgery in Dec. I know I will have to tell my supervisor, HR, and coworkers something since I plan on taking 2 weeks off. I have been going back and forth about tell the truth, only telling the truth to my supervisor and HR, and then just tell everyone a lie, like I am having my gallbladder out. I've been at my job for only 5 months, and I know my supervisor and some coworkers will be judgmental. I defiantly won't say anything until closer to time though. How did you handle this?

[allwet 868]

nothing

[Frustr8 7,886]

You owe them nothing but y h ey owe you respect for your Privacy.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

I think it is a very personal choice as far as whether or not you want to tell anyone, and your feelings may differ on it over the coming months as you get closer and go through the process. You can simply say that you have to take time for medical reasons, or that you have to have surgery, and leave it at that. I wouldn't make up a story and say you have to have your gallbladder out (unless they are doing that at the same time) because what if you have gallbladder problems later and really have to have it taken out, that may be hard to explain, lol.

[Chunkysoup 75]

You could tell them that you’re having a hiatal hernia repaired.

[BostonWLKC 806]

you shouldnt have to tell them anything. Just say surgery .... I like Chunkysoup's answer of hernia. I never told anyone other than my husband. Weight loss- I said I switched my diet to low carb high Protein months before and added in a lot of exercise etc

[Briswife15 889]

I'll be watching your responses as I am worried about telling my supervisor as well. I think she'll be negative and judgmental. I don't plan to tell coworkers but that could change after the surgery.

Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

[chelsey211 21]

I chose to say gallbladder because I have already had that removed lol. The hernia is a good idea too. The only reason I would make something up is because I know my supervisor will want an explanation. I know that is not professional, but my supervisor isn't professional lol. She is very nosy, negative, and judgmental. I feel like if I give a reason besides just saying surgery, it might stop some rumors that I know will start spreading through my office full of gossiping people. After surgery, I do plan on just saying that I am working hard to loose weight buy eating better and exercise. Which is totally true!

[Bootscraper 56]

I am just in the approval phase too. I already had my gallbladder out so I know that excuse is out - except I did have to have bile duct surgery the year after gallbladder removal because the duct had scarred over and was not draining properly. I am considering saying that, or that I have unmanageable stomach acid issues that were solved by removing part of my stomach. You literally don't HAVE to explain yourself, you could just say "I am having surgery, it is a sensitive topic and I would rather not discuss it". That way people will think it is something worse than a voluntary surgery and maybe not dig too much, and just gossip among themselves because they will anyways.

[apositivelife4me 189]

1 hour ago, chelsey211 said:

I am only in the approval phase for VSG. I hope to have surgery in Dec. I know I will have to tell my supervisor, HR, and coworkers something since I plan on taking 2 weeks off. I have been going back and forth about tell the truth, only telling the truth to my supervisor and HR, and then just tell everyone a lie, like I am having my gallbladder out. I've been at my job for only 5 months, and I know my supervisor and some coworkers will be judgmental. I defiantly won't say anything until closer to time though. How did you handle this?

Why do you have to say anything? Keep it to yourself.

[chelsey211 21]

7 minutes ago, Bootscraper said:

Yes, you are right. They will talk no matter what. I know I don't HAVE to explain myself. I am just one of those people that feel that need to explain everything and do my best to get approval from everyone (it's something I am working on)

[chelsey211 21]

1 minute ago, apositivelife4me said:

Why do you have to say anything? Keep it to yourself.

I am a social worker so everyone in my office works closely. I will have to have coworks cover my case while I am out. I feel like I have to say something since people will be pulling my weight for a couple weeks.

[apositivelife4me 189]

Why 2 weeks? I recovered in 3 days.

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

Repeat after me:

I have to have a medical procedure and the doctor says I must be out of work for x time.

To your supervisor - I will bring in the medical note as soon as I have it, but wanted to let you know for scheduling purposes.

To your coworkers - I'm having a medical procedure and I will be out for x time. Thank you so much for your concern and asking about it, but I don't want to discuss my medical issues with anyone other than my doctor.

Assuming you are in the US and you work for an employer of more than 50 people, they cannot force you to say anything else. If co-worker's push, say - did you have sex last night? When they are shocked explain that you feel the same way about your medical issues - they are private and no one else's business. I only had to do that once. It worked.

[chelsey211 21]

1 minute ago, apositivelife4me said:

Why 2 weeks? I recovered in 3 days.

That's just what the surgeon recommended.