After many months of pre-testing and attending other pre-qualification requirements, I have finally been approved by my insurance company and have a scheduled surgery date of March 3. I'm excited... a little scared too... but mostly excited. But here's my dilemma. I know I have to tell my office manager why I'm going to be out of work for 3 to 4 weeks, and that's okay. She can and will have to keep it confidential. But what do I tell my three bosses and my nosey coworkers? I really don't want to let them know I'm having the lap-band procedure done. Embarrassed? Maybe... but more like I don't want them judging me, and then afterwards watching me put any morsel of food in my mouth. I'm sure they're going to be sitting there thinking that if I would just use willpower I could lose the weight blah, blah, blah. So if there's anybody out there who has some advice - or I'll even take a dang good lie to give them - I'd appreciate it. I know my being out is technically none of their business and I really don't have to tell them anything, but anybody who works in an office knows it just doesn't work this way. They will out of curiosity and concern want to know.

I think it should definitely be your decision. I'm friendly, but not real close to anyone in my office, mostly because I am so very busy. I had decided to keep my LB a secret, But today I thought about it and thought "what do I have to be ashamed of?" I am sure there are those who have already judged me for weighing 264 at 5'2", not that they knew the actual numbers. So if I am taking this very brave step, I decided I'm not hiding it like a dirty little secret. I am doing it for me.I told the other case manager today and I educated her on the various phases of recovery etc. And for those whom I choose to tell, I will educate them too. When I told my case manager, she said that she realized it was a huge step and she applauded courage and determination.

Of course it remains a very individual thing, not only based on your work environment , but on how you feel about disclosure. It is definitely your right to choose.

Opps posted to the wrong thread.

think it should definitely be your decision. I'm friendly, but not real close to anyone in my office, mostly because I am so very busy. I had decided to keep my LB a secret, But today I thought about it and thought "what do I have to be ashamed of?" I am sure there are those who have already judged me for weighing 264 at 5'2", not that they knew the actual numbers. So if I am taking this very brave step, I decided I'm not hiding it like a dirty little secret. I am doing it for me.I told the other case manager today and I educated her on the various phases of recovery etc. And for those whom I choose to tell, I will educate them too. When I told my case manager, she said that she realized it was a huge step and she applauded courage and determination.

Of course it remains a very individual thing, not only based on your work environment , but on how you feel about disclosure. It is definitely your right to choose.

One week was what I was told also, but I was banded on 01/23 and I am not going back anytime soon. I think it's different for everyone, I also was in the hospital 2 nights verses everyone else's 1. Just know you may be out longer than one week.

I was told 2 weeks, but I was in the hospital 5 days. I developed pneumonia and they finally let left leave. I realized after bbeing discharged that my surgeon wouldn't see me fro 3 weeks anyway. I ended up taking 6 weeks which is what my dr asked for and it was approved. I didn't have problems with the surgery but due to the pnemonia I was sore longer. I also slipped in a puddle of water on a very slick floor - didn't bust anything on the outside but I was very sore.

Here in Ontario Canada the lapband is considered a cosmetic procedure. If I had told work I was getting lapband surgery, I would have had to use vacation time instead of sick time.

If you are undecided, I say dont tell a soul. Later you can decide to tell, but you can never "untell".

My surgery was outpatient, I was in the clinic for 4 hours (they did lapband and hernia repair) I had it done on a wednesday, and the clinic suggested I could go back to work on monday. Barring any complications, most people I have met at bandster lunches etc, stay off work for 3 or 4 days.

I've told my mom, fiancee, and best friend I'm pursuing this, but nobody else. I plan on telling everyone I'm having hernia repair surgery. Then later if people ask me how I did it I'll feel out whether I say I watch what I eat and exercise (which will be true) or the truth. I'll have to play it by ear.

Wendy,

I agree with you. It's hard to have people watching and judging us as it is (because of our size), but then to have them watching and judging what we eat after surgery is too much for me!

I am in a weird situation myself. I am a nurse and I work with the staff that will do my surgery. I can't go to a different hospital due to insurance, so I am stuck with some people knowing where I'd rather have kept it to myself. I think I won't be able to keep it a secret for much longer though. It's hard to hide this liquid diet and I think it'll be even harder to hide the mushies. We'll see. I don't want to be weird about it, but I want my privacy too!

I took 10 days off by day 5 I was losing my mind I had to get out of that house.

Wow, your lose is great can you tell me about the fills? How often do you have to have them and are you out of work very long for them? Thanks

Sherry Jones

GA:thumbup:

I told two of my managers and one of my friends at work who is like a second mom to me. Everyone else just knows that I'm having surgery and that it's nothing big or life threatening. I'm taking a little over two weeks, as long as the Dr approves me to go back to work at my follow up 2 week appointment. I'm able to move around and everything, but standing for 9 hours at this point 4 days after my surgery would do me in. I was out for like 3 hours today and I was worn out and had to take some pain meds due to my incisions hurting and being very tender.

I understand the frustration about trying to decide to tell or not tell. It's not that I don't think people would be supportive, but there is a tendency to drama in the store I work in and people are very vindictive. The last thing I want is someone I work with that I don't trust knowing something personal about me and this I consider very personal.