How long should I take of of work???? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

sbjim5755 · 09-29-2005, 12:56 AM

Hi,

I need to tell my boss about the surgery and I am afraid her will not understand and give me a hard time about taking time off. How long did you take off of work??? I hope my boss is cool, I have a note from the surgeon with the surgery date. What were some of your experiences with this??? Thanks

Jim

twodogsmom · 09-29-2005, 02:47 AM

I would suggest that you give your boss the heads up that you will be having surgery on X date a month or so before, or however long it will take for her to be sure there is adequate coverage in the company. This might be 2 weeks. You really only need to tell her you are having surgery and expect to be gone for however long. You do not need to tell her what kind of surgery unless you choose to. Back this up with a doctors note with only the minimum info such as date of surgery and expected date of return to work. You are entitled to both privacy and protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Employment and FMLA leaves, so harrassment should not be happening. If it does, document any occurences, and discuss with human resources.

09-29-2005, 06:47 AM

FMLA is very specific to protect you from harrassment and protecting your privacy. You do not have to tell them why, or what kind of surgery. The Dr. has forms he has to fill out and you give it to your HR dept and that is all. If they violate that then they are invading into HEPA, laws which are in place for your medical information to be private.

Check with your HR dept. and ask for FMLA forms. Start there and then see where that takes you.

Rain

Good Luck and welcome to "almost the other side"

lealphachienne · 09-29-2005, 08:12 AM

If you can afford it, take 6 weeks. You can also apply for short term state disability. You don't know how your body will react to this surgery, even if you've had previous surgical expereince. You will have periods of fatigue and crankiness. The first week is really bad for about 99.9% of us. It's too easy to over do it too soon and cause further problems down the road.

bridgetgirl · 09-29-2005, 11:07 AM

Take as long as you can man.. this time is for YOU. For the first time in probably 20 years you are doing something for yourself...... take the 6 weeks if you can afford it!

bridgetgirl · 09-29-2005, 11:10 AM

check this out if ya need to!
www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

Vertigo · 09-29-2005, 11:10 AM

I'm taking a week and then I'm going to try to go back to work. My job requires no lifting, allows me plenty of down time to rest, and very flexible. If I need to walk, I can, so I think it will be good for me to get back to work. I've talked with my doctor's nurse about it and she's seen plenty of patients do it, so I think and pray that I will be able to as well.

I just wonder what I'm going to wear back to work, as I don't think I'll be able to stand the belt around my waist.

Gladitsme · 09-29-2005, 01:38 PM

Mike,

My job is not physically taxing at all, however, I took all 6 weeks off. I can't even begin to tell you how much I needed it all. I was exhausted, cranky, sick and needed the time to relearn my body. For a while, everything I ate made me dump. Being close to my home bathroom was essential! Now I know what I can eat, (for the most part) and how much. I needed the space and privacy to learn that stuff!

bridgetgirl · 09-29-2005, 02:13 PM

I took off a week too. I have a pretty sedentary job (like y'all dont know that with my 4500 posts!) BUT I had to lay down here, nap here, barf here, didnt feel the greatest here..... everyone was real supportive. It was actually funny (and unnerving) because I would be in my office, laying on the floor taking a nap and people would come by, see me what they thought was unconcious and yell at me... are you okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I learned to put up a sign if I decided a nap time lunch!

If you can take it off dude... totally take it off. Ths is YOU time, and its only for a few, short weeks! ( You should listen to me, cuz I know everything!) lmao!!!!

VanessaSFL · 09-29-2005, 05:55 PM

Take as long as you can !!!!!Then again you may be one of those who return after a week.

Best wishes~Van