Discussing WLS with your work/boss/team

I just got my first appointment scheduled today at the Cleveland Clinic which is two hours away. I have a feeling I will be needing time off from work on various days to go to appointments and wondered how other people handled the work situation. I work with about 500 people and they all know who I am since I have been there so long, but I'm not sure I'm ready to sing it from the rooftop and make a public announcement to them all ****il surgery is done or at least scheduled). How have some of you handled this situation in your professional life? I'm trying to decide if I will use up vacation days for this or if the early appointments can be considered part of the short term disability plan I have. Any suggestions?

HI Laura I feel ya problems hun. I have kinda the same problems at work. But yet different. Most of my co-workers ridiculed my friend for having the surgery I heard them talking about her behind her back saying things about her then being all goody too-shoes nice to her face. I have decided once I get ready to go one with my surgery, They will not know. My husband how ever, told ones that he works with and there trying to talk him into talking me out of it. THese are some of the same ones that are not informed on this surgery and are big around as a pencil go figure. THen when he come s and tells me all this I can see in his eyes that he worries more and more about this but I tend to calm him down about it. When I go out, I am just gonna leave on sick leave and tell them along the lines that I am have female surgery, {or something along those lines}. You have to take care of yourself and not worry. Your leave is what it is there for ...your use not theres! When I return I want to make them all turn there heads in aww cause I am gonna make a drastic turn on my life when I do come out of it that is for sure!! I am not saying that you have a problems like this but I jsut wanted you or anyone else here see that it aint all rosey in the work place. But I hope this helps you some in understanding the problem! BullDog Lady

I didnt tell anyone outside of my family and two closest friends until AFTER I was approved and had surgery scheduled. I would just tell your boss/co-workers that you have some doctor's appts. They dont need to know anything else until you want to share it with them. Good luck in your journey!

I never plan to tell anyone except my husband. I'm telling my co-workers and extended family that I'm having my gallbladder removed. It's nobody's business.

I've been very upfront with my boss and coworkers and all have been supportive in general. Some think the surgery's too risky but we just agree to respect eachother's opinions. I really don't care if people approve of my surgery or not, guess that's why I'm so open about it. I guess it depends on your surgeon, but mine had me weigh in weekly and visit with him once a month. Now that it's almost time, I'm seeing him about every 2 weeks. Considering your drive, you may want to consider at least sharing with your boss unless it's relatively easy for you to get off fairly frequently. As far as time off to use, I too was going to use a few sick days and vacation days at first. But my boss informed me I could probably use short term disability instead and keep my vacation days (I love her!) and so I applied for that and I'm waiting to make sure I got approval. You may want to look into that, but again, you'd have to let your boss know if you go through with it. Good luck to you whatever you decide !!

Because my job is marketing outside the workplace, I can go to appointments very easily during the day and make up the time later, or on weekends when I also work. As far as the surgery goes, I won't say a word until I let them know my date and the time I need off. If anyone asks about the details, I'll make a joke and say "I'd love to tell you all about it, but unfortunately that would violate HIPAA laws".

Thank you all for your replies. I read each of your profiles and it is so motivational. I have updated my profile and have decided to use it like a journal. Rebecca, I felt like I was reading my own profile when I read yours! I'm already addicted to this website because of all the information given in the message boards and in the profiles. I keep thinking "This is Do-able!" after seeing all the success from everyone. I decided to only tell my closest friends that gave me a positive response before when I was just thinking about it and use the line Pre-Op Jan gave - "I'd love to tell you all about it, but unfortunately that would violate HIPAA laws". when it comes to work. I will tell my boss and HR that doctors are trying to determine if I need surgery and leave it at that. After the fact, I'm sure it will be noticable and I will talk about it then. I just don't need any negativity so I'll do it quietly. I will definitely check on the Short Term Disability though.

Laura, I don't know what kind of relationship you have with yourr boss, but trying to hide it might become harder as time goes by. if you have as many pre-op appointments as I did, trying to get clearance from this doctor and that doctor, it gets to be quite a few appointments. If you have a good relationship with your boss, tell him about the surgery and ask that he not tell anyone else. If you need insurance help from your benefits coordinator, that person will have to know about your decision also. Good luck and remember, while this surgery is not anyone's business, at the same time, there is no reason to be ashamed or embarresed by it either.

Hi Laura! I work in a company with about 50 people here in my local branch. So far, I have told anyone that asks. I was nervous about doing this at first because I didn't know how people would react, but the response has been overwhelming. It seems I have a whole following at work here counting down the days with me. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't come up and ask me questions about it. I know not everyone feels comfortable about being open about something so personal, but it has been great for me. As far as time off goes, my company was able to make arrangements for me to leave early on certain day. On days where I had a doctors appointment in the middle of the day I took a vacation day. For my surgery next week I am taking my last 5 vacation days to cover me until the short term disability covereage kicks in. I won't have any sick/vacation time left, but I figure it's so late in the year I won't really need too much. At any rate, I hope this helps you!! Good luck!! Karen

I told my boss about the surgery and told her that I would be needing various days and times off work pre-surgery. She was ok with it because I explained the whole thing to her... how these appts are very important and that my insurance also required them, not to mention the surgeon. There were one or two that I had to reschedule, but all in all, I got to go to each and every one of them. Besides, her boss had the surgery too and we discuss it periodically. Guess I got lucky, my boss and co-workers understood and were all pulling for me. I guess if you are honest with your boss, then the hard part it over. Good luck! Kathy