To Tell or Not To Tell

Here I am, almost done with my 6 months of Nut classes. Getting all of my ducks in a row.  Now my question is, when should I tell my boss that I "might" be getting surgery this summer? or should I tell her at all? I don't want to spring it on her last minute because I work 2nd shift and they'd need to find someone to take over for me.  I almost thought about just taking 2 weeks of vacation and not telling them anything about it. BUT if something went wrong and I needed to take off longer, that could be a mess. Not to mention FMLA is there to be used and let's face it in this economy we can use all the job security we can get.  Another dilemma is that I don't see my boss very often, nor do I get to talk to her one-on-one very often. Would an email suffice or should I definitely schedule and appointment to talk to her?  Or is this all a moot point until I get approved?

Lisa its a big decision and I am not sure which way you should go. If you have leave I would for sure try to plan to use that. I think I would kinda wait till you get approved then decide what to do. I think its great to think ahead but you dont want to jump to fast. Will you tell your boss what kind of surgery or do you want to keep that quiet? It also depends on how comfortable you are talking face to face with your boss. I like talking in person myself but thats just my opinion.  I am also not sure if your boss would spread your business around. You need to be careful depening on what you want. It is a kinda private thing if you know what I mean. I wish you much luck and I hope whatever decision you make its a good one for you... I havent had surgery and I am retired on disability so I dont have your decision to make.,but I remember when I did work how people love other peoples info and sometimes they spread the negative instead of the good. I call that being jealous and having no life...
Have a good weekend..  

                                                                                        Julie

Hi Lisa, IMO I'd wait until I was approved and had a surgery date.  Do you know how long of a wait you are expecting between approval and getting the surgery with Dr S?  I would think a month or two but I don't realy know?  If it is a month or two, wouldn't that be sufficient time for your boss to cover your shift?

And I'd also use any sick/short term disability leave with FMLA before using vacation time. After all, that's what it's for right? LOL

Hi Lisa, IMO I'd wait until I was approved and had a surgery date.  Do you know how long of a wait you are expecting between approval and getting the surgery with Dr S?  I would think a month or two but I don't realy know?  If it is a month or two, wouldn't that be sufficient time for your boss to cover your shift?

And I'd also use any sick/short term disability leave with FMLA before using vacation time. After all, that's what it's for right? LOL

Lisa first off what your doing is private all you should have to do is let them know that you are having surgery and that you need to be off for awhile. Also better check to see if your insurance accepts the VSG I wound up in a losing battle because alot of insurance companies are denying claims for the VSG because it is not medically proven.  I don't want to burst anyones bubbles but i fought tooth and nail and would hate to see anyone else go through it due to it not being fun. When i reversed what I wanted and went for the realize band I was approved in 2 days. So good luck wuth your boss and keep it private because if it gets out you'll have all these people trying to talk you out of it.

I'm hoping my ins. company doesn't give me a hard time about the VSG. My doctor is recommending it (it wasn't my 1st choice), because I have other health issues leading to malabsorption of vitamin D and calcium.  Cross your fingers for me.. I hope I don't go through what you did.

Hi Lisa, 

It's much to ponder about isn't it??  You'll figure it all out but since you asked, I too would wait until I was at least approved by insurance.  Then if you need to talk to your boss about dates that might be the time before you schedule with your surgeons office.  Personally I didn't tell my boss.  I had saved well over 2 weeks vacation and I did have some sick leave saved in case there were complications.  You know best the environment and rules you work in and what would be best.  Remember you don't have to be speicfic of what the exact nature of your sugery is. 

Hi Lisa,

I agree with Angie and Charla on waiting until you get your approval and surgery date.  You are not obligated to tell them what kind of surgery you are having, I believe that is covered under the rules of HIPPA.  That being said, I told my team before I got approved thinking that I would be having surgery in June.  In the end, it took longer to get all of my info to the surgeon's office and then insurance than I'd anticipated, and in the end didn't have surgery until October.  I also told some people what kind of surgery I was having and even told my boss right before I went out for it, even though I wasn't obligated to do so.  In the end, it's your decision and I wish you much luck!

Heather

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I will wait until I am approved and then just tell them I'm getting a surgery (and not be specific). If they ask, I'll just say it's personal.

and see I'm an open book.  my boss, co-workers and friends, already know we are considering the surgery and are going through the steps to be approved for it. 

I guess because i know our insurance is a slam dunk i'm not worried about it.