Question:
Has anyone had surgery and been able to play it off as having something else?
I cannot share this surgery with anyone at work, it is a huge joke. Others have had it. I am saying I am having my gall bladder removed and intestinal problems to account for the weight loss have to severly change eating habits. — Nicole K. (posted on April 7, 2002)
April 6, 2002
I did not tell a soul at work. I teach so I told my principal and some co
workers before my three week break in the summer (I taught summer school)
that I had to have surgery to repair my esophagus. I told her that I
should be back on time but I wanted to let her know just in case. When I
went back to work (two weeks post op), no one knew nor suspected anything.
When the weight started shedding, some people began asking questions.
"What's your secret? Did you put yourself in a dryer? (That one was
my favorite)" I told them that I significantly lowered my portions,
avoided carbs somewhat and ate high protein foods. Many suspected that I
had WLS; it was regular old rumor mill. But that was my story and I was
sticking to it. About a year later, another woman I work with had WLS.
She kind of knows that I had the surgery though I never openly admitted it.
It's like "one fat chick to another". I don't mind if she
knows, but it really was no one's business. She also did not tell anyone
at work (besides me) and she knows that her secret's safe here. If you are
going to keep it a secret (and you have every right to), make sure you try
to be an honest as possible and stick to your story. Good luck.
— Jeannet
April 6, 2002
I told everyone at work that I was having WLS. They were nearly all very
supportive. In fact all the support and concern which I got from friends,
faimly and co-workers improved my outlook on life. The answer I gave to the
negitive people was," Do you know that obeisity is a desiease?"
When they say yes you ask "If I had cancer would you still have
negitive things to say about surgery?" I worked both times for me.----
Good Luck
— Robert L.
April 6, 2002
The nurse at my surgeons office had a neighbor in her who told other
neighbors she had her gall bladder removed (she DID have it removed during
WLS) and no one seems to have figured it out (so far).
— Michelle W.
April 7, 2002
I did not tell anyone at work. I told them that I intestional surgery and
after surgery would have to change my eating habits significantly. It is
your choice. You do not have to tell anyone. It also is a law for your
medical providers to keep your condition confidential unless you give them
permission to do otherwise. Good Luck.
— Yvette W.
April 7, 2002
I'm in the same position, my husband or family don't even know, only my
mum, I am only 4 weeks post op. I visited my practice nurse told me to say
that I had some of my intestine removed. She said that if anyone knew about
intestines they would also know that weight loss and a drastic change in
eating habits was all part of the surgery. She also pointed out that indeed
the op did infact involve removing some intestine but only from the
internal system and therefore saying this was not a lie. Hope this helps.
— Marianne T.
April 7, 2002
I had planned to tell my boss that I was going to have surgery for a hiatal
hernia. My skinny husband had that 2 years ago and I noticed that the way
he eats and the weight he lost (25lbs.) was similar to WLS. I decided to go
ahead and tell my boss because I thought if complications should arise, I
needed to be honest with her. She is sooo excited for me! There are only 13
people in my office (a city hall) and my boss said it was no ones business
and she appreciated me telling her. I understand your decision. If I was
still working as a receptionist at the local YMCA, I would have lied
through my teeth!. A girl came to work there that had the surgery and to
her face it was wonderful, but behind her back it was awful! You have to do
what is best for you. Hugs.....
— Joy B.
April 7, 2002
I've been giving this a lot of thought -- what will I say and when will I
say it. I think I'm going to tell only my very closest friends & family
before the surgery. (I'm doing it during a long vacation this summer, so I
don't feel a need to bring it up to my supervisor right now.) When I start
losing weight and people start asking, I've decided I'm just going to be
honest and tell the truth. I believe that people will suspect it anyway,
and I've always been a really terrible liar. I just can't seem to pull it
off! The reason I'd rather keep it quiet right now is because, like some
others here, I've also seen a situation in which my co-workers were
reasonably nice and supportive to someone's face, but rather critical
behind her back. I'd rather be on the *other side* of the operation before
the talk begins. That way I won't have to deal with people trying to talk
me out of it or spend a lot of time reassuring those who would worry a lot.
Hopefully, I'll be doing well, and I can just say, "Yes, I had gastric
bypass surgery and I've been losing a lot of weight. It's been great.
Thanks for asking!" :-) Plus, I think it's nice to be able to be
"visible" for others who might be considering this surgery. Yes,
it will be a little bit difficult to be the subject of gossip and
criticism, but if we handle it well and just concentrate on becoming
healthier and happier, eventually the naysayers will have to eat their
words, won't they?
— Tally
April 7, 2002
I kept it simple. I told family and friends, no one at work. When I went
out on leave I just told my boss and co-workers I was having abdominal
surgery. Most people are courteous enough to leave it at that. When I
return to work (I am 4 weeks out) and the pounds start coming off I am sure
there will be guessing and a few questions, but it's OK to keep 'em
guessing!
— Sandra C.
March 10, 2006
I only told people I was having surgery. None of the men at work asked any
questions, I think they figured it was female stuff, some of the women
asked and I told them I was having my hyatle hernia repaired. When they
started noticing my weight loss I told them the truth, because of the
surgery I had(I never said it was anything other than hyatle hernai repair)
that I was on a restricted diet, was eating much smaller portions,
exercising more and under a doctors care. All true. After a few months
when people started asking how I was keeping it off I told them that I got
used to the restricted diet the doctor had me on after my surgery, liked
the weight loss that came with it and decided to continue even though I was
cleared to eat whatever I wanted. Most of my family was told the same
thing and not one person(family, friend or co-worker) has ever questioned
me about it.
— tazfan
March 10, 2006
When they see your fast weight loss and eating so little they will KNOW, or
fear your dying of cancer AIDS or other terrible disaese. Had a tell no one
at her job and she found out others were planning on who would get her
desk:( Better to tell and be PROUD, you cant hide the fast loss!
— bob-haller
September 28, 2006
I've decided to tell my supervisor and a close personal friend from work.
My family has all been extremely supportive and i can't imagine going
through it without them kowing.
I want to show that I'm proud of making such a huge life-altering decision
for myself and for my family. It's no easy thing to do. And I hope that
being open and honest about it all will help others who may be considering
surgery.
I also want my employer to understand if I need to time off down the road
due to any unforeseen complications, and when I take time off for follow up
plastic surgery.
— erinjstarr
October 4, 2006
— Andrea M.
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