On what grounds can an employer deny an employee the leave under the FMLA

My first consultation is tomorrow with my surgeon. Maybe this is thinking a little too far in advance, but I have decided that I am not going to tell anyone at my work what I am doing. I am just going to tell that that I am having major abdominal surgery and it is something personal and I don't want to talk to anyone about it. I was told that by law, I am not required to tell them what kind of surgery I am having. Upon scanning through some profiles, I came across a women that was denied her time off under the Family Medical Leave Act. Her company said that something major in their agency was going on and she couldn't take the time off at that time because they needed her there to help. Can a company actually do this? I thought that if your doctor filled out the FMLA form, they HAVE to approve the leave. How would something like this affect me in my situation, where I am not telling them anything? What would be some grounds for denying the leave, and what are the consequences? For all they know, I am having a kidney removed!!! Thanks

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