Disclosure to Employer

Does anyone know if you legally have to disclose to your employer about your weight loss surgery.  I would like to just tell my boss I am going to have some surgery and will be off for a few weeks. 

No I don't think you have to tell them the type of surgery if you don't want to but I'm not a lawyer or anything either..lol..good luck to you

I dont see any reason why you'd have to tell them.

I don't know where you work, but at my job, it would eventually become necessary.  Our policy, if you are using sick time, is that any time over 2 continuous days, you must have a note from the doctor in order to return to work.  The note must include date of "illness", diagnosis and doctors original signature.  I assume you are self-pay, or they would know what was going on already.  Although HIPAA laws say "no telling", most companies can't control the little leaks. 

However, if you have vacation time built up, you are under no obligation to disclose the purpose of your time off.  It may be the same with leave without pay, but at my job, you have to request that in advance and tell them why you need it (or submit FMLA in order for them to hold your job).  If there is a handbook for the company, or a union contract, you might refer to that.  If you are union, ask the union steward.

Good luck!  And in the end, who cares if they know!  You are doing it for your health and if they can't be happy for you about that, the hell with them.  Also, keep in mind that if they begin taunting or teasing you about it, that turns into a whole different ballgame---can you say "harrassment".

I'm not sure what you have to disclose legally, but if you do, some Docs. will write down "abdominal surgery" if the employer is insistent on something in writing. Good luck!

You do NOT have to disclose the type of surgery, even to your HR folks (and HIPAA laws prevent your insurance company (both your medical insurance company and any short-term disability company) from disclosing info to you employer as well).  You absoultely CAN say you need to have surgery and not specify what kind if that's the way you want to handle it.  Any doctor's note that HR requires can be generic and just say "surgery".  (The doctor's onfo to your STD company, however, will have to be specififc.)
Keep in mind, though, that eventually people at work WILL figure it out and you will likely have to 'fess up... but if you are just avoiding a boss who is not going to be very understanding about an "elective" surgery, no, you do not legally HAVE to tell.

Lora

I have Dr. Teel too...i am assuming your having a band placed since he is your doc...that is mostly what he does...anyway...he is easy going if your boss wants to know whats going on have doc teel write u a note saying abdominal surgery tell him the situation he'll help you make the right decsion...a genaric note should be sufficiant enough.  Tell your boss its personal...for all he knows (or she) you could be having female surgery...they don't need to know! 

I have Dr. Teel too...i am assuming your having a band placed since he is your doc...that is mostly what he does...anyway...he is easy going if your boss wants to know whats going on have doc teel write u a note saying abdominal surgery tell him the situation he'll help you make the right decsion...a genaric note should be sufficiant enough.  Tell your boss its personal...for all he knows (or she) you could be having female surgery...they don't need to know! 

I never told mine at any time.  Of course I didn't use sick time which was stupid on my part. If you're using FMLA the doctor will prepare a note stating the surgery diagnosis  and date. This gets sent to the insurance doing FMLA. Your manager does not need to know and if je/she is told it is a violation of HIPAA.

Check with your HR dept and FMLA people to see exactly what they need., Give them no more no less