Got a new job...uh oh

So I have been going through the 6 month hoops and am at the end which is great but I applied for a huge promotion in September and low and behold I get an interview in November, got the job and will be starting December 20, 2013. I have my last supervised dr's visit on 1/3/14 and was expecting approval and a surgery date in late February. What do I do now? I don't want to postpone my surgery, I've waited so long already, but how can I go on medical leave so soon after starting the job of a lifetime. Any ideas on how to deal with this? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

First, Congratulations on the promotion.  That's wonderful news.  I'd ask your new boss to get a feel for how critical it would be to take a week or two off for health reasons.  They may be willing to work with you.  Or they might look for a compromise.  Or you could wait until you were in the job and then get a sense of how they operate. 

Good luck with your decision. 

I'm happy for you.

Carol

You don't have to tell employer it is bariatric surgery.  Just say you've been having some health issues that you've been working on and it requires surgery in February.  If possible ask if you can work from home for a week.  You are worth this and life always throws something in our path.  You just have to stay the course!  Best of luck and congrats on the promotion!

Actually, you don't even have to tell your employer that it is health related, necessarily.  If your company has "paid time off" for all leave, you can just tell them that you already had time off planned that will be difficult to adjust. I think it also depends on whether you have a desk job (maybe just off two weeks?) or a job that involves lifting (maybe 4-6 weeks).

Plus, if you have an HR department, maybe ask your HR person about it as well.  If your new area has a super busy time that coincides with your expected leave time (like tax people), then it might be a problem.  There are just lots of variables, and in the end, many of them may not be a problem!

Best of luck!

Thanks Muttlover, KVP, and Cappy. I think I'll wait a little and see what the dynamic in the office is like first then try explaining about a medical procedure that I will need to do. I don't want to lose this opportunity and I certainly don't want to look like that person who starts a job to take time off. Boy do I hope and pray that I don't have complications and need to stay out longer because I'm going to shoot for 2 weeks and hope for the best.

I have a desk job and was back at work one week later.  Good luck.

You say "it's a job of a lifetime", right?  How much shorter of a lifetime will you have if you're not healthy?

Not very helpful Sandy M. What I'm looking for are ideas on how to get the time off and on how not to have to postpone my surgery. I am very much aware of the health benefits to having this surgery earlier than later which is why I have been going through all these insurance hoops to get it done but I am just as aware of the importance of a good job to pay the bills and feed the family. 

I apologize - my meaning to that, which you already know, is putting your health first is the right first step.  Unfortunately, I don't have any tangible ides for you for the work situation since I don't work there, know the culture, rules, etc.  

I wish you good luck in both the job and the surgery aspects in the new year!

I'm always honest when I start a job, tell them what's going on and say if it is an issue you can postpone it for a short while but if at all possible you would like to work with them to make it happen.  I find employers are always greatful when you are honest.