Question:
How would I keep my surgery private from my employer?
I work in a small office and EVERYONE knows EVERYONE else's business. For example: A woman in my office just had a hysterectomy for uterine cancer. The woman wanted it to be very private, well, our loud-mouthed manager let everyone know her business IN A STAFF MEETING. Seeing the way she was treated, I now know that when I go for surgery, I want to tell them I am going on "vacation." I am having open RNY, would 2 weeks be enough time for me to heal to return to a desk job? There is no manual work involved, I am young (23) and a fast healer (C-Section healed in 10 days, pulled wisdom teeth healed in 2 days). PLease advise. I also want to keep this from my family, they are not very nice people. Just my husband and I would know. Is this possible? -Erinn — Erinn D. (posted on September 9, 2003)
September 9, 2003
Don't tell anyone. Under the law, your medical issues are private unless
you tell someone or someone gets a court order. Next, you may have to tell
your employer something other than "vacation" in case you are
still having problems moving around after surgery, or if there are
complications. I told everyone I went in for "GERD" Acid Reflux
Surgery. I went back to work in a week. No one is the wiser even after 5
mos and most people at work contribute my rapid weight loss to the surgery
which fixed my acid reflux. (It is true the RNY cured my acid reflux). :-)
Best wishes-
— M B.
September 9, 2003
Your boss sounds like an idiot! Your surgery and medical information is
personal and confidential and thats backed up by federal and state laws.
You don't have to tell your boss the details. I would not tell them you
are going on vacation though, you may need more than 2 weeks. I like to be
safe and prepare for the worse, (I asked for 3 weeks). You never know what
could happen everyone is different.
— Kara J.
September 9, 2003
By law, you don't have to tell your work anything. You can say you are
having 'surgery' and don't wish to discuss what type. They can't press you
for it either. If they do, tell them its personal and you prefer to keep
the details to yourself. I would advise to taking about 4 weeks off. This
is MAJOR surgery and 2 weeks isn NOT enough for an open procedure. No way,
no how! Trust me on that! If you have short term disability available to
you, TAKE IT! I did and it was a godsend!
— Kris T.
September 9, 2003
I agree with the others that it is no one's business except yours (and your
husband) what you are doing. I am sorry you work among such unkind people
-- they should be supportive rather than rude. But I really want to say
that two weeks is NOT enough recovery time from an open, even though you
are young and heal quickly, this is a very big operation, and having it
open makes it bigger. I was out for a total of five weeks. You won't
believe how weak you will be. I would schedule at least a 4-5 week absence
if I were you.
— Sherrie K.
September 9, 2003
Erinn-
Your medical information is protected by HIPAA laws and you are not
required to disclose the nature of your surgery to your employer. Your
provider can provide a letter stating that you will be out of the office
due to surgery and if needed he upon your return can instruct special
conditions for your return ie..frequent trips to the bathroom, access to
water at all times etc... What your very ignorant manager did regarding
your co-workers medical condition was more than just gossip, she broke the
law. I would say something to that effect to deter anyone from even
thinking about guessing why you are out to let them know you are aware. You
can even mention the incident to your HR department there are strict fines
for breaches in this area. I hope all works out and protect your privacy!!
Simone
— Monie B.
September 9, 2003
I had open rny in July, I was 4 weeks before I could even THINK about doing
much more then light house work. It was much harder then any of my 3
c-sections which I had breezed through. Everyone is different and you might
have it easier then I did, but I would say be prepared to be out at least 4
weeks. Good luck!
— TheresaC
September 9, 2003
LOL LOL LOL @ Kelly. I love it!!!
— **willow**
September 9, 2003
I have a co worker that came back to work in 3 weeks, and the first week
back, she worked half days then back full time after that. I think your
manager is is violation of privacy laws and sounds immatuer. If you file
for disability there gonna know. I would use vacation time, good luck with
this one. -Karen
— Karen A.
September 9, 2003
Erinn, I was in the same situation as you. I went to Mexico to have my
surgery, open incision 14 inches long and was back to work in 10 days. No
problems! Good luck to you!
— SMG I.
September 10, 2003
Erinn, I was open RNY, back to work in 3 weeks, and really felt wiped out
for the first couple of weeks back. Do you have your gallbladder?
Planning on taking it out? I would admit to surgery, just not what kind.
They are going to figure out something with the rapid weight loss...I think
admitting to gallbladder surgery you can explain a new diet, saying that
you had problems digesting fats, etc. That way you can explain any fatigue
and achiness. Good luck!
— vittycat
September 10, 2003
Erin, you are protected by new HIPPA regs as far as noone obtaining any med
info about you without you consent. BUT-if you are covered undera GROUP
BENEFITS plan then the employer can ask the insurance company for
"Loss Runs" meaning claims and they would see a huge claim for
surgery for theri group. It would not take much for them to deduce that
SOMEONE had surgery. As a Licensed Insurance Broker, I can only advise you
to do what you think best, but I would at least let them know that you are
having some KIND of surgery in case GOD forbid you need more time off. I
had to take an extra week b/c of complications due to a blood clot in my
leg and I had an Open RNY now have to have a revision. GOOD LUCK.
— Elaine S.
September 10, 2003
Erin, I'm sorry, I had a LAP RNY but had alot of complications
post-surgery. Fever of 102, blood clot, etc. I am planning a Revision of
my surgery and hope that it can be performed LAP, other wise it will be
open and I only plan to hopefully be out 2 weeks.
— Elaine S.
September 10, 2003
Hi Erinn, I was in the same boat as you. Only told my husband, father and
sister my plans on surgery. I eventually told three close friends at work.
I told my Boss that I had to have some surgery and would need some time
off. He was wonderful. I didn't tell him what TYPE of surgery I was having,
only that I wanted to keep it private. I took vacation time and was back to
work 17 days after Open RNY (surgery date was 5/12/03). I sit at a desk at
work, and didn't have any problems. I was a little tired, but heck, I was
always a little tired, LOL! If you have the time coming to you, I would
suggest three weeks. If not, I think you should be just fine with two. You
are even younger than I am (just turned 34) and I wholeheartedly believe
that much of my speedy recovery was due to my positive attitude.
Seriously...I was just so darned happy to wake up from surgery, that I felt
that I could deal with anything ahead of me. I had a few bumps in the road,
but have to say that the whole experience, so far, has been much better
than I could have anticipated! I wish you much luck!! Tara -63
— Tara B.
September 10, 2003
I'm an old gal - 56 - and I was back at work only using 12 days of vacation
(open RNY 7/10/03). I was weak and tired but I did fine. I work at a desk
too. I sort of wish I'd kept mine a secret but work in a large corp which
is "open concept" (meaning no walls on our cubicles) and it was
impossible. But they were all very encouraging and are certainly noticing
the weight loss now.
— Margaret G.
September 10, 2003
For your work leave, can you ask for vacation time so they don't know it's
surgery? As far as the rapid weight loss from wls, can you say you are on
an extremely stict low calerie diet?
— Danmark
September 11, 2003
***ORIGINAL POSTER*** Thank you all for your great advice. I think what I
am going to do its tell my employer that I am having gallbladder surgery
(in case I need more time) and then explain the rapid weight loss with a
very strict diet. I do believe that a lot of my success will come from my
VERY positive attitude. I am tough girl and I have great endurance. Thanks
again! You guys are great!
-Erinn
— Erinn D.
September 12, 2003
I don't know why there is so much same in all of this WLS. I mean I'm not
tellin everyone but I also work in a small office and at the end when you
happy and healthy and have family/friends that will love you no matter. WHO
CARES WHAT YOUR BOSS OR YOUR CO-WORKERS THINK. If you stopped working there
tomorrow you would probably never see any of the AGAIN. You are going to be
healthy and happy! Stop worrying what others think of you!
— gina L.
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