How have other people handled WLS surgery in the work place???

I am scheduled for surgery May 5th..and I know it will be here before I know it. I am a private person by nature. I have been struggling with what to tell my boss...who is a tall thin vegan. I know I didn't have to give details but  I knew I had an obligation to tell her I would be taking a medical leave  so on Monday I broke down and discussed it with her. ...and I just stuck to the facts...4 to 6 weeks out maybe back in the office sooner

She seemed to be understanding but she said.."I don't think you are that big"... What do say to someone who will never understand what being obese is like... ? Thank you but my PCP says I am !! Oh and my BMI is definitely too high....I am just  venting. She also asked me what I was going to tell my staff..I told her I had not decided yet but to please keep any details to herself..I may decide to just say I was having another female surgery. How have other people handled WLS surgery in the work place???

Jo-Jo,

I have been extremely lucky. My boss and his family have embraced it. They are worried about the surgery but they say if it is what I want then they are behind me. They have installed a water cooler, switched to decaf coffee, bought splenda instead of sugar. There is fruit in the coffee room. You name it, they have done it. They have offered to walk with me at lunch even! But it sounds like you are much more shy then I am. It is all up to you what you tell them. I would tell a few you could trust to support you beccause you will need it at work as well as home.

I agree with Kay.  You will need some support at work.  I didn't tell anyone until I knew it was a done deal.  Then I told very few until the week before.  You could go the "female surgery" route.  My husband did that at church when someone asked after my youngest said "My mom's going to the hospital to have surgery".  I didn't tell a lot of people simply because of the stories that you hear.  But in response to the "You don't look that big" comment, I tell them "thank you" and keep going or even add "it's not really that - I just want to be healthier and a better role model for my kids."  Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice. I do have a couple of good friends AT WORK that I do plan on telling.. for support. I also have plenty of support from my hubby, son daughter and extended family. I haven't told everyone in my large family but have told  key people in my life... I am warming up to it..

I have surgery on 5-25 and I have told my boss I was having surgery but not what for since that was not needed.  I also work from home most of the time.  I do have a friend at work that has had the lapband and I am the only one at work that knows she had it done and she is the only one at work that knows I am having the surgery. 

I do have a couple of other friends at work I have thought about telling but am not really sure I want to.  One of them is a skinny friend I sometimes go out to dinner with I am not sure how she will take it, I still have time to make up my mind.

Hi JoJo,

First of all, welcome to the board. It's nice to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible, life-changing journey.

Who to tell and when is a very personal decision. Most people will figure 'it' out as you lose weight after your surgery. I would suggest that you only share what you are comfortable with as you are comfortable, but I wouldn't 'lie'. If you just want to say that you are having abdominal surgery... I think my husband said something along those lines and since he had a hiatal hernia that was being repaired, he just told them that he was having that done and 'left out' the bypass portion. He didn't lie, but wasn't completely upfront either. Some people are likely to have their own opinion on the subject... it's kind of like when you find out you're pregnant and everyone likes to throw in their two cents, plus is glad to tell you about their friend, cousin, someone they worked with that had it and what their friends results were... To be honest, most have been very supportive, but you need to do what works best for you. I believe that your boss is bound to respect your privacy per HIPPA, but I would suspect that once the cat is out of the bag, eventually others will find out. Personally, I would prefer that they find out from me. I doubt that I would broadcast, but if asked directly, I would answer directly.

Re: her comment that you didn't look that big. I have to say that I got that all the time before I had my surgery... even from others that were getting ready to have their own surgery. That said, now when people see my before photos they can hardly believe it's me. Go figure!

I wish you all the best as you struggle to find just the right answer for your cir****tance.

I have told a few people where I work that I am having surgery.  I work in the OR and have worked with my surgeon. I knew from the start I would get negative feedback . I had someone ask me , "Why are you on LOA  on the next schedule ?"  My reply was its personal.  "Its personal " they said, like I had to tell them.   I have been told " You don't look that big", " How much weight do you want to lose"  and then the greatest one was" I  know  your paying out of pocket because I know Insurance cant be appoving you. "   HELLO !    My insurance has been appoved and they are paying. People can be so rude. If they havent walked in your shoes they should not be so quick to give negative feedback. 

Hi HopeGraver, I see that you are scheduled for your surgery on April 3, 2009 with Dr. Enochs.  By the time you read this, you should be well along on your journey.  I hope that it has gone well.  I am schedule for May 8, 2009 with Dr. Enochs!  (Do you work at Rex?)  Thanks.

I do work at Rex. I had my surgery on April 3rd. I spent one night in the hospital. I have not had any problems. I will be returning to work on May 4th. The time has flew by. I wish you the best on your journey.

I am having this problem too. I work in a small physician's office. Two years ago, before I came to work ther, a staff member had some WLS, I'm not sure what but did not follow directions, did not quit smoking, did not follow a preop diet, etc and she ended up in ICU for months with complications and ended up dying. And to top it all off it made everyone's insurance go up! So no one in my office looks very friendly upon weight loss surgery.
One physician, who is thin as a rail and his wife weighs 90lbs after four kids said" I don't know why they can't just eat the small amts without having the surgery, they would still lose the weight."
I haven't told anyone I am having surgery because of the response I got when I even asked if our insurance paid for it. It does right now but they are thinking of getting whatever it is put in place so it won't. So I just shut up about it. I am in the early stages, waiting for consult appts, so I am just taking it one day at a time and not saying anything yet.