Question:
Telling work I am having Gall Bladder Surgery, will it work?

I am having surgery next week and I do not want to tell my boss or employer the real reason I am having surgery. I lied and told him that my Doctor said I need my gall bladder out immediately and that I couldn't wait. Will that "jive" with my surgery (LAP)? How long are you in the hospital for gall bladder and what kind of scars does it leave?    — Lisa R. (posted on May 19, 2002)

May 19, 2002
Hi I had my gall bladder removed LAP--I was outpatient--had surgery at 9 home at 1 went to work the next day--scars are barely visible fit under a dime
   — Linda L.

May 19, 2002
Your Employer only needs to know that you are going in for surgery, the exact surgery is your business. Gall Bladder and Gastric Bypass Surgery is different and your healing time will be different. Good Luck with your surgery and take your time healing, don't rush!
   — Jena C.

May 19, 2002
My mother had her gallbladder removed laparoscopically (outpatient), and she was out of work for at least 2 weeks, if not longer. I think that amount is probably typical. Even if the incisions aren't large, there is a lot of internal healing that needs to take place before returning to work. I told my work that I was having my gallbladder removed also (I work part-time only) and that I would need a month off. No one seemed surprised by that. But, I do intend on telling them the truth when I return to work.
   — Kristie B.

May 19, 2002
I had my gb out lap in November. I was in the hospital overnight and back to work on monday (surgery was Wed.). I didn't tell anybody about that one tho so that I could say that was what I was having done when I got my wls. I was out for 3 wks after lap rny, but physically, I could have gone back sooner. I had the vacation time and didn't want to return to work while still on liquids. Hope this helps.
   — GGinMA

May 20, 2002
I felt the same way. It is very personal and I did not even tell my husbands family or friends. I just told them I had my gallbladdar out. Took 2 weeks off and went back to work. I told them I started walking because the doctor said that would make my recovery time quicker. So I just keep walking and watching what I eat and that is why I am losing weight. Of course I am a slow loser so I haven't been questioned too much. People are just saying wow you look great and I tell them I have been walking my butt off and eating right. lap rny 4-9-02 35lbs
   — Robin B.

May 20, 2002
I had my gallbladder out in july on a thursday afternoon was released within 3 hrs and at duane reade the next morning and dancing at a wedding on saturday. I am just looking into lap rny but have a feeling it will be more painful and longer recovery. I have 3 holes from my gallbladder. Hope that helps.
   — concetta D.

May 21, 2002
Forgot about the scar question, sorry about that! I had three 1" and two 1/2" incisions (5 total) from the gb. They reused 2 of the 1" incisions from the gb for the lap rny, so I have a total of seven 1" and the two 1/2" incisions now. They all look the same, and are pretty much in the same area. As far as having a few more than a normal person, if anyone was so bold as to ask about it, then you could say that because you're so overweight, they need more incisions to get around the enlarged liver, which is true. Most "normal" people only get 3 incisions for a lap gb.
   — GGinMA

May 21, 2002
"Oh the webs that are weaved, When we first try to decieve." If you don't want to tell them, at least just say it is personal and you would rather not talk about it. Once you tell a lie, it will probably come back to haunt you. In 3 months when you have lost 60+ lbs, what are you then going to tell them. That you lost it by diet and excercise. Ya right. People will start to gossip and spread the rumor mill, once it becomes apparent that you have lost that much weight. Then what will you say, or will it be obvious that you have been caught in a lie. If you want to tell someone it is personal and you don't want to talk about it, I can respect that. But to tell somebody a lie, I have no respect for that.
   — Dell H.

February 15, 2003
Lisa, I know exactly what you're talking about, as I have had to BS my boss as well. It was not my intent to, I was just intending to tell him I'm having surgery and leave it as my personal business, but then he started rooting around and badgering my co-workers to see what type of surgery it was, and he assumed it was WLS and started trying to get me to change my date, telling me I only needed a week off, etc...(I might add that this is a PHYSICIAN - an eye surgeon)....and I finally felt the walls closing in on me and felt the need to tell a fibber because if I didn't he was going to make it very difficult for me. But I want to share with everyone a great solution I came up with. I told him I was having surgery for a hiatal hernia, where they take the bottom part of your stomach and wrap it around to create a new muscle. One of my very good friends had had this surgery done, and a side effect of it is - you guessed it - weight loss! I still feel violated by having to lie to him in the first place, but if you find you need to do it - do it right! It will also explain the resulting weight loss and liquid diet! It shut him up for a little while, but he still threatened to fire me if I have surgery on the date it is scheduled (2/26/03), but I am taking my chances because he went and changed our insurance effective March 1, so I have to get it done then!
   — Jennifer C.

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