Awkward Interactions with Co-workers

My surgery is tomorrow at 11am and today was my last day of work before surgery.  I didn't want to tell anyone other than my boss what I was going to do, but I had to let my teachers (I am a reading specialist for grades K-2) know that I was going to be out so I sent an email stating that I would be out for two weeks for a "private matter".  Oh, why did I do that?? Everyone came up to me today to hug me, pray for me, lay hands on me and whatever else they could do to show their support.  It was nice to know that people cared.  The weird part was when my office mate, another reading specialist, heard of my leave, she said, "you don't trust me to tell me why you're taking off from work?"  She went on to say, "I don't understand why you can't tell me when we share an office."  I really didn't know how to respond other than to say that it wasn't about trust.  I just didn't want to disclose my business.  She is very critical of other people and their weight issues.  She has even had a lot of choice words to say about one other employee who had the sleeve done.  I just didn't want that.

It is up to you to tell who you want to tell.

Im still preop but Ive only told a few people incluiding some close friends a couple didnt have anything positive to say about my decision but hey Im the one struggling not them and I told them I appreciated their concerns but at the end of the day It is up to me.

Good luck on your journey!! 

 

Technically it is non-compliant to ask questions like that in the work place. There are laws in place to protect you. I know you work with her and don't want to be ugly about it, but I would let her know it is a private matter and you wish to leave it at that. If it didn't stop I would recommend speaking to someone in charge about it. 

I fought with myself over who to tell, when to tell, and how much to tell them.  In the end, I decided there was no shame in it and people would figure it out when I dropped 10% of my body weight in a few months.  For the purposes of clarity, I told them I was having "Al Roker surgery" (even tho I don't think he had a VSG.)  People were incredibly supportive all around.  Many of them also had relatives or friends who underwent the surgery and had good advice.  I was pleasantly surprised!!

You're right! They'll figure out sooner or later.  When that time comes, I'll let them know.  There is such a stigma on WLS that I just didn't want to have to answer a whole bunch of questions.

Yup he had gastric bypass. I am not even sure if they were doing the sleeve as stand alone when he had his done.

I had my surgery in July and it was January before anyone really noticed my weight loss. I didn't share details about WLS bc I needed privacy to make lifestyle changes. It wasn't until a year went by that I told the biggest gossip I know about my VSG. By then I had reached goal and maintained. Now I am willing to share my experience but initially I needed people to butt out of my business. It is a tough call but I needed privacy.

I completely shared my story.  I return to work Monday and share the experience with my work family.  Preop they were very supportive.  This kind of life event you need all the support to can find.  

Aww , the forever tricky subject of tell.

In my case, I am completely open about it. I am in the rare position of having 100  percent support. 

I am a regular volunteer at my children's school. Some people know specifically, others just know I had surgery. Today was the 1st day I was able to pick up kids after school since surgery 2 weeks ago. I got a ton of hugs. The little kids were so sweet to hug me carefully. Mrs D! Mrs D! We missed you! Is your tummy better? When can we read together again? Did you miss me?

I find that if I come off as positive, then I get positive replies. I hope you heal well & that you are able to get positive encouragement from your educator environment.

I'm sorry your co-workers are rude and nosy.