Source
r/wls•
xtinalala

What to tell work?

Hi! Great news - I am officially at the scheduling stage of my journey and looking at a “next month”-ish date. I started a new job a few months ago and don’t feel comfortable telling them it’s WLS. I don’t have that sort of relationship w my boss. I also think it will be considered a voluntary surgery and they will want me to push it off if they learn what it is. I would be super vague about it but it’s a small company and I think that would just lead suspicion. I have a daughter so maybe I can use postpartum/childcare excuse. I’m hoping someone here will have some ideas.

Edit: it’s VSG surgery

Posted Aug 12, 2019, 5:53 PM UTC

331
FictionallySpeaking•

Your work doesn't have any say in when your surgery is scheduled. Simply tell them you're having a medically necessary procedure and ask what paperwork they need your doctors to fill out, because they may require it.

12
olie2405•

This! 100%

2
elpolloloco710•

I said it was surgery to help my severe GERD. Technically, it did help that 🤷‍♀️

9
xamanda0715x•

I’ve seen a lot of people use gallbladder removal as a cover up - same type of recovery and recovery time!

5
[deleted]•

[deleted]

2
larra80DS 6/2018 |HW 301|SW 277| CW 166|GW 145•

I wouldn't do gallbladder unless you already had it out or are having it taken out. I had my wls June 2018, needed to get my gallbladder removed in May 2019 because of rapid weight loss (yay?!)

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

2
bananaclawsRNY 4/22/19 HW: 365 SW: 302 CW: 221•

I just told work that I was having abdominal surgery, they didn’t ask what kind or any details, just for a note which didn’t mention the type either.

5
caliomniVSG 8/7/19, CW 314, HW 355•

Same

1
SpikeMcAwesomeSleeve | 01/17/2019 | HW: 284 CW: 181 GW: 150•

Tell them it's gall bladder or hiatal hernia. I didn't even tell my work what my surgery was - just said I was going in for surgery and they pretty much shut up about it.

4
ClevelandCassVSG 1/5/18- HW247 SW227 CW154•

I went with hiatal hernia. I think the eating restrictions are similar. after gall bladder- I was able to eat whatever I wanted.

3
sparklekittehVSG Dec 2013, RNY revision Jul 2019•

All you have to tell them is that you're going on medical leave, no need for further details.

3
chulbertRNY - 21 Jan 2013 · 439/180•

Please don’t lie. Tell the truth or say it’s private.

It’s eventually going to be pretty obvious to everyone.

3
SkinSins•

I agree with not lying, I feel like there's too great a risk of being caught & people thinking I'm a liar. I'm going through the pre-approval requirements, so I've been out for a zillion appointments. When people ask if there's anything wrong I just tell them I'm working on some health issues. It's no one's business by my own.

2
chulbertRNY - 21 Jan 2013 · 439/180•

I think that’s a fine response!

If you want to lie and eventually get caught - which you will - then whatever. It’s your integrity, or lack thereof.

But when you lie and say things like “just eating less and moving more!” it’s just so damaging and hurtful to those around you who might be struggling to lose weight.

3
BCthrowawayTempVSG 3/20/19 Current loss: 112lbs•

It's nobody's business whether it's obvious or not.

1
BCthrowawayTempVSG 3/20/19 Current loss: 112lbs•

"I am having surgery next month and will be out for x days." Period. It's absolutely nobody's business beyond that. If people notice your weight loss and are nosy enough to ask about it just say "I've made some changes in the way I'm eating and I feel better."

I don't know why people complicate this so much and feel like they have to tell everyone their business.

3
chulbertRNY - 21 Jan 2013 · 439/180•

Please don’t lie.

2
BCthrowawayTempVSG 3/20/19 Current loss: 112lbs•

How is "I am having surgery next month and will be out for x days" lying? OP does not owe it to anyone to give them details. Nothing I said was a lie. After surgery OP will be making changes in the way he/she eats, so it's not lying.

1
chulbertRNY - 21 Jan 2013 · 439/180•

Where I am from a half truth is a lie. Arguably the most insidious kind. 

1
BCthrowawayTempVSG 3/20/19 Current loss: 115lbs•

That's not a half truth. It's the truth. Adding what the surgery is for doesn't make it more true. It's personal information that isn't necessary to share.

1
stephaloveVSG 8/13/19 - HW360/SW344/CW306/GW199•

I just said I’m having a hernia repaired, which is true!

2
Lostinthetrees010519•

I would just tell then you've been experiencing some medical issues and you will be getting surgery. Leave it at that and if they ask for more info just tell them it is private and you are not comfortable talking about it!

2
tempgrumpM · 6'0" · RNY · 9/7/17 · 350/172lbs•

If they ask just be honest with them, majority of people will guess as you lose majority of your body weight. You do not have to share with anyone if it is uncomfortable.

1
jillzymarie•

I said hernia as they fixed that too

1
RamenOod•

I didn’t tell my work what kind of surgery it was. If anyone specifically asked (which only one person did) I just said it was a gallbladder issue.

1