Question:
I have been approved but how do I tell work.

I want to be honest becuase i will end up telling other people in the company what I am doing and I know it will get back to my bosses. Unfortuantely I work for a television production company that produces medical documentaries and a while back they did a show on the surgery and viewed it in a bad light. I don't want to see their looks or tell me not to do it. I am only 22 and I know they will start lecturing me. How can I say it's medically neccessary and what would be some extreme excuses why I would be needing this surgery. What Can I Say?    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 31, 2001)


July 31, 2001
So who viewed the surgery in a bad lite the station or your boss etc? If its going to be taken badly or even perhaps held against you for the time off etc. I'd try to come up with another reason. You are having gallbladder problems etc...
   — Dawn R.

July 31, 2001
Why do you have to tell them what kind of surgery you are having? It's absolutely none of their business. How they portrayed wls in program is irrelevant. Simply say that you are having gastrointestinal surgery and leave it at that.
   — margaret N.

July 31, 2001
Hi I am the person who posted this question. The reason I feel I have to tell is already have told a few key friends at work. In the entertainment industry news spreads like wildfire. I am sure they will hear from the grapevine and then I can't have my reputation in the industry be that of a liar. I just want to know a way I can tell them it is completely neccesary (it is but normal reasons will seem like cop outs to them). Thanks!
   — [Anonymous]

July 31, 2001
Here's what I did. I told them I would be out this date to that date for surgery. When they asked "what kind of surgery?" I replied, "Please don't worry; it isn't life-threatening. No cancer or brain tumor or anything like that. But because I do not want to hear other people's surgery horror stories, or a lot of non-medical advice to "try this instead", I have decided not to discuss my surgery until after it is over. Then I will be willing to talk about it with you. Thank you so much for your under-standing about my privacy; I really do appreciate it!" Not another word has been said. They wished me the best of luck and will want to hear all about it afterwards. I thought they might not accept this, but put this way, what choice did they really have? Good luck!
   — Lisa D.

July 31, 2001
I have not been approved yet...insurance is giving me the run-around but I already told work. I am COMPLETELY honest and open. regaurdless where you work, there will be skeptics. I've made it my personal goal to educate everyone on the subject. Be proud of yourself for making the biggest decission you may ever make! I am 27 and wish I knew this at your age!
   — krissy F.

July 31, 2001
I really know how you feel. I told everyone at work that I was having Gall Bladder surgery and that I was having a problem with type 2 diabetes. I didn't really have my gall bladder out, but I really didn't want the comments and questions either. Keep it simple and tell your friends that know about the real procedure that if anyone asks, you had your gall bladder out. Now that I'm down 70lbs, I just say that I had to start eating differently after my surgery. And I really am following a diabetic diet plan. Good-Luck.
   — tdrzal

July 31, 2001
Hey! tell them that you have a family history of serious medical problems, you are beginning to develop the same pattern and since yo-yo dieting puts more stress on your body, you feel this is the healthiest way to go about retianing your health. Everybody in the entertainment industry is beginning to do it.
   — K T.

July 31, 2001
It is really up to you. Do you want them to know that you are having WLS surgery. Will depends on your employer. My employer was fairly supportive, however, my boss commented that it was really an "elective" surgery. I did not see it that way. Matter of life or death to me. You will find that there are a variety of opinions about this surgery wherever you go. It's ok no matter what you decide.
   — Terri D.

July 31, 2001

   — [Deactivated Member]

June 17, 2003
I plan on telling my boss that I am having a gastric bypass operation deemed medically necessary by my doctor. I don't think of this as elective surgery at all, and don't expect my boss to see it that way either. It's medically necessary, and I will tell her I need to take 3-4 weeks of recuperative sick time following the surgery. Since it IS medically necessary, about all she can really say is: Good Luck! We'll see you when you return to work.
   — Deborah L.

June 17, 2003
I have told a few people that I respect and trust the truth. There are others who are ignorant, but not because they are bad people. This was my message to them: I have surgery scheduled on _____, to address a few of my health problems that have hit "critical mass." I will be gone for two to three weeks. It made me giggle, maybe a few others will giggle also.
   — Patiently W.




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