Question:
What reason can I give for needing time off for surgery?
I'm not planning to share that I'm having WLS, as I don't want to deal with insensitive comments and inquiries. What other surgical reason can I give for needing time off work? — Janell C. (posted on April 13, 2009)
April 12, 2009
It depends on which surgery you are having and how long you anticipate on
being out. If you are going to be out for around 6 weeks, you can tell
everyone you are having knee surgery or something like that. Then when the
weight starts falling off you can tell them it's because you are now able
to exercise with your new knee! I don't blame you at all for not wanting
to put your business out there. Sometimes I wish I hadn't. Most have been
really supportive but the thousands of questions get old after a while.
— k_ibarra912
April 13, 2009
I'm currently in the pre-approval testing phase, hoping to get a May 2009
surgery date. I have told work about my testing (EKG, stress test,
etc)since I took some time off to have it done, but they are being told I
am getting surgery to fix a hernia (which I do have and which I believe
they are going to fix during the GBS). I may or may not tell people what
the surgery really was when the weight is off, but I do not want to have
constant questions and second guessing from people I work with or patients
who visit our physical therapy practice and barely know me. To me this is a
personal matter. I have shared the real surgery with the people important
to me, husband & children (adult children). The little white lie gives
me the option to tell others when I am ready, if I want to, and really,
it's nobody's business but my own. FYI I plan to have laproscopic surgery
and take three weeks off. I have a desk job. Oh, and if you do have to tell
your human resources department the real reason, they are bound by HIPPA
(federal regulations) to NOT DISCLOSE any medical information about you
without your permission.
— buckscountybabe
April 13, 2009
I also didn't tell anyone at work about my bypass, either. I told them I
was having some minor stomach surgery (and that was entirely feasable,
because I'd been having issues with my stomach for a LONG time, and had
been having many tests related to my upper GI Tract. I did mention a
moderate hiatal hernia, and they seemed to accept that explanation.
— Erica Alikchihoo
April 13, 2009
Janell -- I told most people I was having some abdominal surgery, and I
told the really nosy ones that I was having some plumbing rerouted -- which
you better believe stopped the questions right quick. Good luck!
— Cheryl Denomy
April 14, 2009
A friend of mine told them she was having some female surgery and no one
wanted any more details.
— sarah_joy_1
April 14, 2009
Another possibility is you are having sever stomach problems and allergy
complications. You're not lying. Our stomachs are to big. And we are
allergic to food . We keep breaking out in fat.
— Kathleen W.
April 14, 2009
I had my surgery on 02/19/09 and initially I didn't tell my work about my
surgery either. I had my doctor write a note for me saying that I had a
health condition that needed to be dealt with. In the mean time I found
out I would need my gallbladder out at the same time so I used that as an
excuse. I actually ended up telling the people I work with before I got
back though. The truth is that you loose so much weight at first your
co-workers will most likely notice. I was already 25lbs down when I went
back to work. My work was very supportive. It's also good to let them
know in case you have post op problems. I ended up missing an additional
week of work about 3 wks ago due to fatigue and weakness. If they don't
know what's going on they might not be as sympathetic. Good Luck to you.
— alojah82
April 15, 2009
You shouldn't have to tell them anything more than, I'll be having a
medical procedure done and will need these days off. Because of the HIPPA
laws you are not required to disclose any of your medical problems to
anyone in your office... I have told select few I'm thinking about it, but
I will not be telling my direct supervisor what I'm doing when/if the time
comes for my surgery.
— robslove
April 16, 2009
I don't have your problem exactly but i am a college student. So i have to
leave school a couple of days early and have had to skip a couple of
classes. I've been telling them that I am getting my gallbladder removed.
Its not a lie cause I am and the removal of your gallbladder CAN cause a
decrease in weight (so that will explain both my absence and my weight
loss- that and there will be 4 months between my surgery and when people
see me again). If all else fails tell them you hired a personal trainer and
to MYOB (the rudeness should scare them off).
— uNiQuE, iTs wHaT i Am!
April 16, 2009
I don't have your problem exactly but i am a college student. So i have to
leave school a couple of days early and have had to skip a couple of
classes. I've been telling them that I am getting my gallbladder removed.
Its not a lie cause I am and the removal of your gallbladder CAN cause a
decrease in weight (so that will explain both my absence and my weight
loss- that and there will be 4 months between my surgery and when people
see me again). If all else fails tell them you hired a personal trainer and
to MYOB (the rudeness should scare them off).
— uNiQuE, iTs wHaT i Am!
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