Telling Work About Needing Time off for Surgery

Tell them!
My boss normally fights giving me ANY time off at all. (Just a personal thing, I think.) So when she started in on me about "can't you find another time to do this?", I simply said if she wasn't willing to give me ATO time, I needed information regarding FMLA. I signed up then for two weeks FMLA  time, and when paperwork was approved by my company, they gave me 4 weeks FMLA.

Don't be shy... just say it. Fight for your rights!  Best of luck gal!

I think you have to make the decsion if you want to tell them or not - that is up to you. BUT do not be embarrased by what you are doing - own it. Gastric Bypass is just a tool and not an EASY way out at all. If some think that way educate them on what we have to go through and maybe you will help someone else make the same choice and in the end be a true role model.

You can also opt to just tell HR and no one else if you chose - what you tell them shoudl be kept confidential.

Good Luck in whatever you decide to do - you have a great bunch of supporters here if you need us !!

How about, "I must have surgery on this date and must take two weeks off work."

I for one am someone who did not tell anyone about my surgery with the exception of my family and one very close friend. As an elementary school music teacher in three different schools, I did not and still do not want all of the talk and chatter about what I did or did not do. I simply said I was having my gall bladder out and that because of the surgery it kick started healthy habits such as eating right and going to the gym four times a week. No one has questioned me and my students all tell me how tall I am now. ( Only through the eyes of Kindergarten!).

It is your choice and you and only you will decide what is right for you!

Teri-Lynn
POI

you are not obligated to tell why you are having surgery.  I know my last boss suspected I was having gastric bypass.... I did not tell her at all.

ONly the people that needs to know is HR when doing FMLA paperwork.  YOu do not have to tell anybody. 

I chose to keep this quiet, and was out Aug 1 to 16th.   If people ask, I will tell them, but u know "don't ask, don't tell".

 You just answered my question. I know that someone needs to know what type of surgery and figured it'd be HR for the medical leave. Unfortunately they usually can't just take our word for it!

But aside from them, you really don't have to tell anybody. Sometimes, though, not telling created more buzz than just telling but it's up to each of us and our own situations.

If you are filing for disability or FMLA, you will have to at least provide details to HR.

I respect each person's right to keep a secret, but I still believe this also implies a certain "shame" about it.  It perpetuates all the bad stigmas attached to WLS.

You made a very educated, informed decision to utilize a medical tool to help with a medical problem.  No different than getting chemo for cancer.

I was very upfront about my decision to everyone.....and they were very supportive.  Many of those people later came to me and thanked me for educating them on what is involved in WLS and they now know it is not "the easy way out".

 

 I used to think I was going to be "loud and proud" about having WLS - but I'm finding it much more difficult than I thought. I found there are people I work with that I just don't trust well enough. I also find going into the details a little cumbersome. But yes, be prepared for everyone asking you how you did it. At the moment I'm trying to split the difference by telling them I'm on a protein based diet with small portions and plenty of physical activity (all true). I hope to get comfortable enough to be open about it - but I'm just not there yet.

As for work I was lucky to have my surgery at the end of the year. I took a week PTO and blended that with two weeks off for the holidays. I did not need to take FMLA. I needed those three weeks!

Honey, I know exactly how you feel. There are not many people that know about my surgery. I did tell my boss because I am close to him and he is like a father to me. Besides I did not want to have a side effect at work that he was taken aback from. In my opinion you need to tell one person at work, but who that person is should be someone you trust. If it is your boss fine, if not fine. This choice is very personal and some people wear it on their sleeve and some do not. You need to do what is right for you, whatever that is.

I was happy to tell everyone and got NOTHING but support from all my friends and co-workers. I am always shocked when I here about people encountering so much negativity. The truth is the only person who was aprehensive was my mother and she was/ and is still supportive of my decision. I feel (and this is just my opinion) that people like to keep it a secret because they enjoy the drama and whispers.
The whole thing may be regional as well. I am from NY and we say what we think and feel and so telling everyone seemed natural. Also I live in LA so WLS is VERY accepted.