what to tell people at work

Well, unless your surgeon has specifically told you so- I don't know why you'd assume 6 weeks off work. I was only out for 2 weeks after having OPEN RNY. I told casual acquaintences that I had abdominal surgery, if they got too nosey, I'd say something like "I'm confused about why you think my personal medical conditions are open for discussion." Usually people look at you like they want to jump off a bridge when you say that. To those that cared about me and vice versa- I told them about the surgery as soon as I got back to work. But not before, because I didn't want to listen to 'oh- I head about someone who died from that'- or- 'oh my uncle's cousins' brother's monkey had that surgery and gained back all their weight!' If you've decided not to tell anyone- then I suppose you stick with- I don't care to discuss it- as it's a personal medical matter, and I don't discuss your personal medical issues with you, now do I? And leave it at that. People ARE going to talk and figure it out- don't think you're going to have surgery loose lots of weight and people wont say 'oh well- she must have had that stomach stapling thing.(horror!) They WILL say it- it's just a matter of wether or not you feel comfortable straightening them out. Good luck with whatever you decide.