ObesityHelp

Well, my experience is, if one person at work knows - friend or not - everyone will eventually know. I just told people that I was having surgery and that it was personal. Usually nobody pryed further. I don't work directly with my co-workers every day, so when they saw me a few months later, many were shocked about my weight loss. Many asked how I did it, and my standard answer was "it was hard". Most people left it at that, but a few wanted details. I said very little. One co-worker did call me up later and asked me point blank if I'd had a lap band. That she just couldn't believe I'd lost all this weight without one. I could assuredly tell her NO, I did not have a lapband. Apparently she didn't know about the other surgeries b/c she didn't ask....so no lies were told, but it's a personal decision and you shouldn't be required to tell anyone at all.

If someone does pry, just tell them you are having some gastric issues, or whatever, but have a standard answer prepared and stick to it with everyone. Your HR department will have to know why you are taking off, but they could be fired for revealing to ANYONE else.

 This is a good question, as I have been wondering the same thing recently.  I would have to tell management where I work (i.e. my supervisor and a couple of other authoratative figures), but as far as anyone else is concerned I was just thinking about saying I was having "abdominal surgery" if anyone asks.  That's all they need to know.  Of course, inquring minds will want to know more, but too bad.  I prefer not to tell anyone either!

 I said it was gall bladder surgery, but then wondered what I would say if I ended up needed gall bladder surgery later.  Thankfully it never happened.  You can say adominal or female if you want.  It is nobody's business.

I told my manager so that my time away from work was all sick days instead of any vacation days.  I also "slipped" and told a co worker all about it and her questions were more around our coverage than anything else.  I now figure since I told one, I would not hide it, but I wouldnt broadcast it either.  If someone asks I will tell them, otherwise I figure, let them wonder.  There is a statistic that says only 5% of morbid obese people ever lose the weight on their own.  Telling others that number and expaining that WLS is a tool to help the other 95% and not an "easy way out" seems the best way for me.

It does make me wonder though, there was a guy who dropped 100lbs in a year when I first joined my current group.  Did he have WLS or was one of the 5%?

I only took a week off work (I have a desk job). I told my immediate supervisor I needed to have surgery. Like the earlier poster, my HR dept got the details so I would qualify for FMLA should I have had something occur and needed to stay off work. My coworkers were told I was taking a week off work and they assumed 'vacation' as I take a week here and there - sometimes to do items around the house and sometimes to travel. Also, I always do an annual January "diet" so the eating wasn't causing any questions either. Not fast enough weight loss for them to notice anything different - YET. Good luck to you in whatever you decide!

 I am very private and only told people who have my best interests at hand whi*****ludes only 1 co-worker.  I told my employer that I need 1 month off for surgery and recovery and I offered to bring in a doctor's note (which was also generic and said I was having surgery with no further explanation).

Several friends and co-workers have repeatedly asked for more info and I reiterate it's a necessary surgery and that it is personal.  My thing is if I wanted people to know more I would pull them aside and tell them.  To me, my health is my business and I don't owe the world an explanation for my actions.  I am proud to have the surgery but I recognize that any negativity I receive from others could hinder my succcess so I amnot giving people the opportunity to affect me.