Would you do PS if you could not take off work?

I do hope you are right! That after March I'll see continued improvement. I am exercising a lot, weight training, etc. My thighs are just awful - I never imagined they would look this bad! But that isn't a surgery I plan on having because I've read so much about it and the complications and recovery.

I hate it about my job but it is what it is. I've looked around and other similar positions just don't offer the flexibility and bonuses I have (salary, commission on my office's sales, company car, gas card, lunch/client allowance, etc) for what I get. I've wanted to leave so many times but just can't under the cir****tances with the economy.

I suggest not disclosing the procedures you are having.

When I requested time off, I told HR that I was having a procedure. They never asked what type or by whom.

You do not have to tell him what kind of surgery you are having.

FMLA still applies.  I'd use it.

You won't be wanting to work from home at 1 week out.  You won't want to go back in 2 weeks.

For all he will know, this could be a life and death situation.

 For something as major as a lbl, that wouldn't really be enough time even for superwoman. 

Lbls also have a high rate of complications (minor stuff like dehissing, but it adds heal time) and there is nothing you can do to speed some of those issues up. 

You will almost certainly need more time, and it's none of their business what you are having done, so don't worry about the resentment and such. Look into FMLA and do what you need to be healthy. 

Thank you all. After reading all that, I do think I am going to pursue it. Its not like he's the one paying for it or that I am asking to be paid while off, except for what I am due and requesting in advance. If I don't have to tell him why legally, then I won't.

Dr Sauceda, keeps you for 12 days with several of his procedures.  I had an LBL, BL, arms and medial thigh lift and 4 days later a full neck & facelift.  I actually stayed for 14 days, 7 in the clinic and 7 at the hotel.  I took off another 6 weeks with short term disability.  Tom (levittown_loser) went back after 3 weeks, he's your age, not old like me!  I wanted one surgery, one recovery period. 

This is not cosmetic surgery.  It's surgery for abnormal body structure due to morbid obesity.    Very different than a mommy TT.

If you don't mind me asking, was there a savings having it all done at once, in Mexico?

I am thinking more and more I just may ask for a leave of absence, but not sure how that will affect my job. If I can work the FMLA, I will.

As you combine procedures the price goes down.  Plus, if you have like an LBL (7k), 12 days at the hotel, plus your clinic time are all inclusive, and up to 600 off for your airfare.  Everything I had done was less than 20k.

I'm scheduled to have everything that Chris had done.  I'm scared of so many surgeries at once but love the idea of one recovery.  The part about spending two weeks in Mexico really appeals to me because of the daily medical care.  At home I'd be more on my own worrying about every little pain.

I am 38 and feel I recovered pretty darn quick, but there is no way I would have been able to go back to work (even a desk job) 2 weeks out, let alone 1. Maybe 2 weeks out if you could work partial days. After those 1st couple weeks, the recovery kicked into high gear - at least for me. For all your boss knows, your appendix almost ruptured and you almost died. It's not a work injury so they have no rights to your medical records. Good luck !