Do Not Want My Employer to Know I'm Having WLS.......please dont call me Star Jones

Ok, I am not ashamed of having WLS, but I have a new job and am on probation for 6 months as part of the employment agreement and am concerned the new employer will consider this elective and deny me the time I need to off for the surgery.

Yes, it technically is elective, but I have been denied 2 times in the past and cannot pass up the opportunity to have this surgery now that this new insurance has ok'd me. Also, I know that it will become apparent that I had WLS when I drop large amounts of weight, but once the surgery is done and I am bck at work, I intend to tell people anyway.

So my question(s) is:

Have you been forthright with your employer about having WLS?

If not, how did that turn out?

Thanks for your help. I know only the people on this site can understand my feelings.

Sharon

 I know quite a few people that didn't tell their employers what kind of surgery they were having. In fact, I don't think you have to disclose that information. Just follow whatever process your human resources dept requires and disclose only what you must. If and when you decide to tell is completely up to you. BTW if your doctor writes what kind of surgery you had on your FMLA forms the HR cannot discuss that with anyone.

You do not have to disclose anything accept when you are able to return to work.  I just said gall bladder removed and left it with that, because the people I work with are too nosey. :-)

I have had some some complications and have had to return to the hospital 2 times. They might have their thoughts but honestly it is none of their business.

Best of luck to you.  Don't let any of them stand in your way!

Here's my thought... Have surgery on either a Thursday or Friday, so you have the weekend to recuperate.  As long as you are having laproscopic, you should be just fine to head back to work -- just be careful about over working yourself.

I agree, I do not think you have to tell your employer, just tell them you are needing to be off one or two days -- hmmm, maybe a stomach thing, wink wink.  Then, when you eat at breaks, you may have to explain you have been "having stomach issues," but if you can eat alone, it will be less evident that you have had your "plumbing" done.

There are members of my support group that kept it hush hush, until they felt comfortable -- or in one woman's' case - cornered by a co-worker. 

Understandable about keeping your mouth shut -- I wish you the best!!!!

Brenda : )~

Brenda,

Thanks so much for your response. I can really have the Gastric Sleeve and return to work after a few days????? I would love that. I sit all day at a desk. My surgeon said 2 weeks?? What surgery did you have and how long before you felt able to return to work? Thanks so much. Sharon

Hey Sharon,

From the five folks I personally know, they were up & about after just days to about one week.  I guess it also depends on how well things go, and how quick you "bounce back". 

Maybe if you do it Wednesday or Thursday, it gives you extra days (weekend) to decide if you are ready. 

I had RNY with a hernia repair, and was out & about within a week.  My pain was tolerable by the fourth day.  The first four days, I took the pain meds, and pretty much stayed inactive. 

How well you usually recover is probably best answered by you.  Some folks are (excuse me for saying this) a little tougher than others.  After having my daughter at 3:33am, I was released from the hospital around noon!  I was not even at the hospital 12 hours, but I guess they figured I was fine.

Brenda  : )~

Thanks Brenda. I appreciate the words of wisdom. I hope someday I can help someone too. Best, Sharon

I'm still pre-op. My boss knows I'm planning to have surgery and she's way supportive. I keep her in the loop because when the time comes she'll need to be able to plan for my absence for a few weeks. There are other people in my office building who had it done and didn't tell anyone.

In your situation, I think you're smart for not telling. It's nobody else's business - all they need to know is you're going on medical leave and when you'll be back