What did you tell people?

I need some advice. My boss wants to know what I want her to tell people as I prepare for my leave of absence. People will wonder why I am gone and she doesn't want to tell them more than they need toknow without my approval. Does she just tell them I am haveing surgery, does she mention what kind, etc? I had not thought about that. I am sure once I get back to work people will notice I have lost. I just wondered what other have done. Thanks

I didn't tell my boss what I was having done as he is the biggest gossip in history. My FMLA paperwork just said major abdominal surgery. I did tell a couple of friends and swore them to secrecy but told them they could tell after I was gone. I didn't want to answer a bazillion questions about it before hand but I knew I wouldn't be able to hide it from anyone afterwards either. This way I'm at home while all the gossiping is going on and I don't have to deal with it. I know that there are going to be questions and stares when I go back to work but I'm more able to deal with that now than I was prior to the surgery. Did I mention that there is more gossip that goes on in my office than actual work? LOL

I think everyone is different on who they tell. I told my boss and basiclly anyone who asked, but there are a lot of people who don't. It is really a personal decision that depends on your situation. I had an easier time telling people at work then my family. I guess I didn't care what the people at work thought but I did care what my family thought. Good luck in making your decision, and good luck with surgery!!!

I wasn't ashamed of what I was doing. In fact, I was proud of it so I told anyone who would listen. I figured that even the people who didin't know me well would definately see the difference & some would assume I was not well, like if I had surgery for cancer. I didn't want those kinds of rumors flying around. Now, this way might not be best for everyone. I work in an atmosphere where people are just not mean & backbiting. I imagine there were a few remarks I don't want to know about but for the most part my surgery was accepted & my results aplauded. Now, 2.5 years later, I rarely tell people but I'm not ashamed to let them know that I had the surgery. I'm going back to school in the fall & have decided that it will not be mentioned. If the subject comes up, especially in a negative way, you can bet, I'll be right there defending a person's right to have the surgery & the reasons why. Do what you think is right for you but please, don't be ashamed of the decision to have it done. Dixie

I only told a few people in my immediate office before the surgery, but it got around quick when i got back. I had lots of people stopping in and giving support and asking how I was. I work ina huge office though, so word travels fast. Inevitably, people will notice and unless they are idiots, they will put 2 and 2 together when you start losing weight. Examine why you do or don't want to tell people. Is there some shame? If so, that's a normal feeling that lots of people feel . Are you worried what people will say or do you care? Are you proud that you are making a life choice to make yourself healthier and happier? Then tell people that. For me, I just didn't want all of the extra attention, which is so against my typical personality. I was tired of everyone asking everyday "How are you feeling" or "How much have you lost?" which I have discovered is about the most invasive question people can ask when they don't know you very well. And come up with some fun one liners for the jerks. I had someone who was as big as me tell me they are doing it the old fashioned way by working hard. I asked them how that was working for them and be sure to tell me how it goes. I also had someone say that is such a hard thing to do to your body and that they think I should have exercised more and ate less. I just said, "I'm sorry to hear you feel that way." However, my journey has also inspired 2 people to start the process here at work to have the surgery. They never knew it was 100% covered by our insurance and now they feel empowered to move forward. So there are positives to it too. I also decided it wasn't fair to all the people who know me who are overweight and fighting like I was to lie to them and say "I am jus****ching what I eat and working out." I want to inspire them in whatever way I can and being dishonest is not how I operate. But that is why it's called "Your Journey." You can walk whatever road you want. Good luck!

I was just curious what other people have done, I am not ashamed in any way, in fact just the opposite. I would tell anyone that I came into contact all about it. I am fairly new in my job, and I have told those that I work most closely with, but the others that I only see in the breakroom or bathroom may start to wonder. I don't want to put my boss in an uncomfortable position of do I tell them or not. Privacy guidleines can get us into trouble sometimes with disclosing too much information. When I told my family and friends I asked that they not talk about me but to talk to me so there was no miscommunication or misunderstanding about the surgery or my decision. I think I need to make a sign for my forehead. That way I don't feel like I am always talking about myself to people. I guess I am just so excited I can hardly stand it any longer and to think I still have month left! oh boy!

Hey Blake just was wondering how you were doing?

My EGD last week didn't work for two reasons: I had thrown up so much in the days before the procedure because they were telling me to keep trying to ge****er down and it would come right up. So I was very swollen and inflammed. Second, the meds didn't work real well when they out me under so they had trouble with me staying calm on the table with the tube down my throat. Between the two, he wan't able to see an opening to put the balloon in, so he had to reschedule. I have to stop liquids orally and just use my tube until Aug 1 when he will try to do it again. I have to spit into a cup all day to avoid letting the saliva build up a thte bottom of my throat and me vmit it back up. Not a lot of fun but I am trying to be patient.

Yikes is this one of those bad thigns that goes along with surgery? I have heard the tube can be a pain. But if that is your only way of nourishment right now, I can understand. Keep us posted.