Question:
Knee Replacement-Good alibi for open RNY to employer??

I'm scheduled for an open RNY in early September, and have resolved to tell NO ONE about it, except close family. This is particularly true for eveyone at work, including supervisors, administration, and HR. If even one person knows, it will leak (pardon the term as it associates with WLS!) Gotten varying estimates of time needed to be taken away from work for open RNY, but am going to tell bosses to block out about 5 weeks - first, does that amount of time sound resonable to you who have gone before me? Secondly, I do have very bad knees, one in particular that is agonizing; been told by orthopedic surgeons that I'm looking at bilateral knee replacement in the future, and I have said that to people here and there at work. When I leave for RNY, while I won't say the words "knee replacement surgery," I'd just as soon they'd all think that. How long out of work would a person be who had both knees replaced? Need to know so that whatever time that is would be about the same amount I'll need to recover from open RNY (5 weeks???). Don't want to insinuate I'm taking 5 weeks out for knee replacement when the recovery time is 2 weeks. I'm 50 years old, if that figures in the equation any; need to be as precise as possible, since I work in a medical environment with Doctors and Nurses. Thanks so much, you're all always so helpful.    — pam C. (posted on July 30, 2003)

July 30, 2003
Hi Pam, Just my 2 cents worth but I think if youre going to use an alibi I would use one that was closer to my actual procedure like some type of sbdominal surgery at least even female surgery. I think if you insinuate knee surgery but continue to have knee problems they will figure it out also what if you have complications(god forbid)that keep you out longer than the 5 weeks how will you explain those?I would stick as close to the truth as possible but of course you dont really have to say ANYTHING unless it becomes necessary.
   — Lisa F.

July 30, 2003
<font color="007000" face="tahoma">I also decided not to tell anyone at work what type of surgery I was having. I just told my boss I was having surgery and he never asked what it was for (its really none of their business). I also didnt want my brothers or Dad to know before hand (I didnt want any negitive comments), but I did tell them that I was going to have my gallbladder removed (which was true). <p>Now I dont know if that would work for you, but I do agree with the previous poster as you should keep the "alibi" as close to the real thing as possible.<br>Good Luck!!!<I>~~Wendy D~~ 4/23/03 RNY, -73 lbs</I></font>
   — Wendy D P.

July 30, 2003
I agree with Lisa. Knee surgery requires months of re-hab work post-op -not just 2-5 weeks. Dr's & Nurses would look at you funny for using this. You would also walk with a limp for a while. I have had 5 knee & ankle surgeries and my thyroid removed so far, go with something closer to your actual surgery area. Lisa's suggestion of "female surgery" is good. I have had 3 friends who have had large (6 & 10 lb tumors) fibroid tumors removed from their uteruses. In each case the Dr. told the person that they could not return to work for at least 4 weeks. When you return minus 30lbs you can say that you decided to start a restricted diet while home at the recommendation of your Dr.
   — M B.

July 30, 2003
I was concerned about what to say as well. One person asked if I was having "female surgery" and I said, "Kind of." To others, I just said that I was putting myself first and taking care of what needs to get done. It may have left them wondering, but it really wasn't their business anyway. I have told a few closer colleagues, and I know that a few others have found out, but that's alright. It's my life and while I am hoping that responses will continue to be positive, it really doesn't matter if some people thinking poorly of my decision because it was MY decision and not theirs. Good luck!
   — Rachel T.

July 30, 2003
I had a knee replacement January, 2001. I was out of work for 4 months because I started having problems with my hip. I had 6 months of physical therapy, a 12 inch vertical scar on my knee, and came back with a cane for a few weeks. I suggest you go with abdominal surgery, which is what I did. Some people assumed it was due to the knee and I didn't correct them. If you go back to work at 4 weeks after open RNY, your stomach (incision area) might still be sore. Mine was. Panty hose were a real pain. Stick to something in the same area and you will have less grief--and it is easier to remember your lie.
   — Margaret S.

July 31, 2003
Okay..so I'm following suit with everyone else. By all means, please do NOT use surgery on a limb as an alibi for WLS. If you don't want to tell them, then don't. A dear friend used 'female' surgery as an alibi for WLS. When she got back to work and started dropping weight she was 'hurt' that nobody commented. Come to find out, everyone was afraid to because they thought maybe she had a serious illness. Everyone's situation is different but please don't use knee surgery as your fallback answer.
   — Diane S.