Question:
Any of you work in healthcare have a hard time telling work?
I don't want to disclose exactly what I am having done to my work....but I am in healthcare and everyone has a clinical curiosity and we are all close and share an intrest. I have heard some people lie and say a "female surgery" or gall bladder removal. I hate lying under any circumstance....anyone out there been in this boat, if so what did you say? I should also mention that one reason I don't want to give details is that we are a really busy office and I think that if my supervisor knows it is "elective" she will try to get me to put it off when it is convenient to her needs. — Sarah S. (posted on February 26, 2003)
February 26, 2003
Sarah~~I am in the healthcare field too. I know that a lot of peers have
negative feelings about WLS. I just told others that had to know
something.....that I was having abdominal surgery. I never said anything
else and no one ever asked. I didn't even allow my husband to fill out the
family medical leave forms because of my concern for privacy. He just took
a week of sick time to be with me and that was it. The problem you will
probably encounter in the near future is how to explain your weight loss.
I am still struggling with that one but I usually just say that I changed
my diet and I exercise regularly. People seem to be able to accept that.
Best of luck. Wendi Open RNY 9/19/02 down 97lbs
— lovemonterey
February 26, 2003
It is perfectly ok to say, "I'd rather not talk about it, I'm sure you
understand" if asked. People get over it. They may come up with some
interesting theories on their own, I actually found that kind of funny.
— Amber L.
February 26, 2003
I also work in healthcare. But, I made sure everyone knew what I was
having done. My theory is...the more people who know, the more support you
have. I had a few negative reactions. I told them that I honored their
opinion, but was doing what was best for me. For the most part, I had a
lot of positive feedback. My boss was very supportive. That helped a lot.
— Kim DeHart
February 26, 2003
I also work in the healthcare field. I think it is direspectful for a
person to ask for details- no matter how close the friendship. I have told
a few work people that I will be off for surgery and they did not ask me
for details. My boss did not even ask for details- she just said that I
could have the time for recovery after a surgical procedure. I take this as
being respectful of my feelings and not as they do not care about me.Good
luck- I am sure in time I will offer up the information I am sure I will be
Post op though.
— Jan S.
February 26, 2003
I am a medical surgical nurse, I have made it no secret in my workplace
that I am having this surgery. This surgery I feel for most is not an
elective surgery. The procedure is an excellent treatment for a serious
diagnosis of Morbid Obesity. My suggestion is to research and gain as much
knowlege as you can, and remind others(if you disclose your reason for
sugery) that you are ensuring your future health. I would like to think
that anyone in the healthcare field could respect you for that.
— Traci O.
February 26, 2003
Sarah, I am a secretary in a busy doctors office. Personally, I made no
secret about having this surgery. I didn't know how i would explain the
rapid weight loss without everyone worrying about me. And I have received
SOOOOOOOOO much support! But, on the flip side, telling is not for
everyone. I respect your decision not to tell anyone. If people ask why
you're going out for this extended time, just politely tell them you'd
rather not talk about it. Don't mistake concern for nosiness. People are
naturally going to worry about your rapid weight loss after. But, look at
it this way, once you start losing, you may want to talk about it! It's
hard to keep your enthusiasm to yourself when you see the pounds come off!
I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and have lost 20 pounds already! Good luck.
— RedHeadBeauty
February 27, 2003
Thanks for the answers, I do appreciate your input. You guys are the best!
— Sarah S.
March 1, 2003
I told every body in the department I work In (90+ nurses) and have been
fully open and honest about it. Almost everybody has been supportive, at
least to my face. i am not stupid enough to think that among 90+ women that
there is not catty gossip going on. Lately I have been just tired of it all
and even tho I knoe they mean well the next person who says something like
"I can't BELIEVE how much better you look" in a gushy tone that
makes me want to ask how f-ing hideous did you think I was before. I
thought I was pretty damn PHAT (pretty hot and tempting) before. I will not
hurt my co workers, i will not hurt my co workers........
— **willow**
March 1, 2003
I'm a home visiting nurse, I've made no secret of the surgery, my close
co-workers known and I tell most other folks if they ask directly. I feel
it causes more ackwardness in some cases not to tell..(eg co-workers saying
things like "geez, is that all you're going to eat!" etc). All my
co-workers in general have been supportive, if they disagree with my
decision they are keeping it to themselves.
Working in a health care setting, if you have a sudden, very dramatic
weight loss, folks are going to come up with some interesting theories;
pancreas cancer and HIV are two things people have asked me about...I just
replied "nope, gastric bypass" and went on doing my job.
Sometimes I amazed more folks who don't know don't guess. C'mon I lost 120
pounds in 6 months, ya think that's from Jenny Craig. Hang in there and
good luck no matter what decision you make!
— Kelli D.
Click Here to Return