I work at a school. An elementary school where everyone is in your buisiness. I do not want to tell people at work that I am having the lapband. I have to submit a request for sick time for the surgery to my principal. My doctor would give me a generic note. My principal would not let up until she knew what was going on. She can't keep a secret. If I tell her I would have to tell everybody. Anyone have any suggestions about what to tell her and my coworkers?

I told my boss I was getting my hernia repaired. My dr. did find a hernia (about 2 cm.). But I am also getting banded!!! GL!

I told me boss and coworkers I was getting stomach surgery and that I needed 3 weeks off. I have short term disability insurance so it wasnt a problem. No one asked anything else about the surgery. Now I am back working ( light duty ) everyone just ask how do I feel. I was banded July 7th.

Just say you have some issues with your GI tract that must be alleviated with outpatient surgery. In the request make a clear statement that the principal is not to tell anyone the nature of her request, and if they want to know they will have to ask you directly. And then when you start losing weight, tell them you have diet changes that must be made as a result of the GI problem, and since you're losing weight you are going to stick to the diet to get healthier. Something along those lines.

P.S. - can't you tell I'm good at tip-toeing around the truth? LOL

i work in a school also...i told everyone i'm having exploratory surgery on my stomach..that's all they need to know...good luck...

I think I would just tell her that it is a very personal issue and you prefer not giving out details. Just tell her that you need to have this procedure done to try and prevent future healt problems.

Just say you have some issues with your GI tract that must be alleviated with outpatient surgery. In the request make a clear statement that the principal is not to tell anyone the nature of her request, and if they want to know they will have to ask you directly. And then when you start losing weight, tell them you have diet changes that must be made as a result of the GI problem, and since you're losing weight you are going to stick to the diet to get healthier. Something along those lines.

P.S. - can't you tell I'm good at tip-toeing around the truth? LOL

Enigma you are hella good at tip toeing!

Blest I also like the fact that you said you were preventing health problems.

I also work in a school as an administrator. Last year I shopped the idea of having wls around with my prinicipal who is super cool and would be discreet if I asked. Well he does not know that I am going through with it. So when I requested time off I just eluded to my hernia repair (he knows that I have reflux) So I am not lying, I'm just not telling the whole truth.

If any of the nosey people in my building ask where I was I will just say "sick"

Thanks for all the help. Peace and blessings

Sandra

Sandra,

By law your boss CANNOT ask what is specifically wrong, or what procedure you're having. All they need to know is that you need the time off, and for how long. HIPPA protects you from having your doctor tell your employer that you are seeing him/her, and/or what you are seeing him/her for. I hope this will put your mind at ease. Have a blessed journey

Sandra627,

I am actually a Regional HR Manager and the previous post is correct. They cannot ask you what the procedure is that you are having and more importantly you are not obligated to tell them anything! The Principal should know better, because if you did her, even if you slipped up, and she told someone else, this would be a violation of your HIPPA rights and you could legally sue. Not that I would move in that direction.

Just tell them that it's personal and you appreciate her concern, but it's not anything she needs to be concerned about. But thank you for being concerned enough to ask. And walk away. That needs to be the end of the conversation.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jlg

Thanks for the law side of this...much better to just say medical reason, nothing major, thanks than all that other stuff. Good looking out guys

Thanks guy, I just told everyone I was having the lapband. No one has been negative. I was wasting too much time and effort thinking about people finding out, and for what?

Thanks again.

Sandra