Do work colleagues know about your surgery?

[Nurse Julie]

Hi

I just wondered if any of you have/have not told your colleagues about your surgery.
I have only told my manager and I know that she hasn't told anyone else. I have tried to analyze why I haven't told anyone else at work and I think it's because I feel ashamed that about 3 years ago I lost 8 stones on lighterlife and then piled 7 back on again :cry:

Interestingly, some of them have noticed that I only eat a little bit of food and I have said that I am trying to lose a bit of weight. Couldn't find the courage to tell them about the surgery though :sigh:
I had to laugh out loud though last week when I was visiting some of my clients (I visit brothels offering advice, STI screening and vaccinations), one of the women said 'Have you lost weight Julie' I said 'yes just a little bit' she then said 'do you fancy doing a stand in for today as I'm a girl down' :8855:
It kept me laughing all day long!

I would be interested in your experiences re whether you have told colleagues or not, their reaction when you did, or if you didn't their reaction when you started to lose weight (what did you tell them?)

Jxx

 

[Caren]

wow what an interesting job!!! better than mine
oh by the way, ive told everyone lol

 

[Heah]

Hi Julie,

I work on a maternity ward, and made my decision from the outset to tell my colleagues that I wanted to have a gastric bypass, I would say without exception everyone has offered me support (at least to my face!! lol) and have been intrigued with my decision. Obviously it has led to one or two people asking if I couldn't just do it with dieting etc.

We have had great fun on nightshift discussing the 'post surgery' me, and trying to imagine what it would be like..

I have had one blunt remark from a tactless colleague about the timing of surgery who thought I was very selfish to contemplate having surgery in the week running up to christmas if it was offered. She thought it was selfish of me towards my family in case I didn't make it!!!

Recently my boss asked if I was considering a community job, but I explained to her that I thought it was important to have the support of my colleagues on the ward as I imagine coping with shifts post op is not going to be easy.

I would be interested to know what response others have had from their work colleagues. xx

 

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks Caren
Good for you telling people right from the beginning.
Btw I do love my job! I work two days a week Wednesdays and Thursdays and there is never a dull moment!!

Jxx

 

[Nurse Julie]

Hi Julie,

I work on a maternity ward, and made my decision from the outset to tell my colleagues that I wanted to have a gastric bypass, I would say without exception everyone has offered me support (at least to my face!! lol) and have been intrigued with my decision. Obviously it has led to one or two people asking if I couldn't just do it with dieting etc.

We have had great fun on nightshift discussing the 'post surgery' me, and trying to imagine what it would be like..

I have had one blunt remark from a tactless colleague about the timing of surgery who thought I was very selfish to contemplate having surgery in the week running up to christmas if it was offered. She thought it was selfish of me towards my family in case I didn't make it!!!

Recently my boss asked if I was considering a community job, but I explained to her that I thought it was important to have the support of my colleagues on the ward as I imagine coping with shifts post op is not going to be easy.

I would be interested to know what response others have had from their work colleagues. xx

Blimey Heah, how thoughtless is the person who made the comment about Christmas and not making it!
Good to hear that you have the support of your other colleagues though.
Re community job - don't discount this - the best decision I made work wise was moving out of acute and working in the community.

Jxx

 

[MissDiet]

I told my boss and his boss about a month ago. My boss then discussed taking it as sick with HR, but it was declined.

I told a colleague and friend 14 days ago just before pre-op diet. I told my 2 close friends and colleagues today about it.

They all reacted different but positively. No-one said diet to me. They all respected it, thought it was wonderful. My friend Laura wants my mum to call her when I go in and when I come out of surgery as she is worried lol.

I told them as I had already been lying about stuff over the past month. Where I was going, what my loan was for... what kind of diet I was on when they noticed I'd lost a bit of pre-op weight.

I will end up telling everyone, just after the op. So then no-one can go "omg just diet". So they can see it working and so that im 1) more informed to answer questions and 2) proof it works 3) confidence to tell them where to go if I dont like what they say

Good luck with your decison

xxx

 

[mandym1]

I told my close work colleagues after a lot of thought and can honestly say Ive had nothing but support and good comments. I work in a big office so not everyone knew and some people have noticed the weight loss and asked if Id been dieting. I felt a fraud telling them yes especially as some of them struggle with weight as well so I just say Ive had a gastric bypass... and they have all been lovely and said good on you, you look great and I want one!! x

 

[Heah]

Yeah it was a bit in ya face but to be honest that's her style...

Otherwise everyone has been great, of course I hope it continues as I may need them to swap shifts etc if I have any appts cancelled and rebooked; or eventually get offered a cancellation.

I take it your back at work and managing fine!?! How long did you have off on the sick? x

 

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks MissDiet and Mandym1

It's great that you've both had positive experiences when discussing your surgery.
Has given me something to think about!

Jxx

 

[Nurse Julie]

Yeah it was a bit in ya face but to be honest that's her style...

Otherwise everyone has been great, of course I hope it continues as I may need them to swap shifts etc if I have any appts cancelled and rebooked; or eventually get offered a cancellation.

I take it your back at work and managing fine!?! How long did you have off on the sick? x

I only had a week off work and if I'm honest I went back too soon. The main problem I had was the overwhelming tiredness, which I still do experience. On Thursdays I work from 1-11pm and too be honest I start to feel really tired about 9pm and it's a struggle to stay awake. I then have an hours drive home so get in about midnight.

Jxx

 

[donza]

I worked on a surgical ward and asked one of the surgeons for some advice about having WLS. He was lovely, said he didnt think i needed it but respected my wishes and offered to sponser me to help loose the weight. He admitted to not knowing much about it as he specialises in colorectal surgery and advised me to ask another consultant, which i did. However, he wasnt all that knowledgable either and laughed in my face. i was furious! once i'd decided to have surgery i told everyone i worked with and they were all very suportive.
12 months after my surgery the nasty conultant aproached me and said " are you the nurse who was asking me about surgery"? i replied "Yes, and you laughed in my face!!!! i told him i'd had a sleeve gastectomy and had lost 7st. he looked as embarrassed as i was when i asked him for advice.
i see people i havent seen for a long time and they all comment on how much i've lost and i just tell them how much i've lost and that i had surgery and its the best thing i've ever done. if they want to critisize me for it let them. i did it for me not them x

 

[kateyloo]

Hey! My work colleagues are the only people I haven't told - they have all noticed a real difference but as I go to the gym nearly everyday and as I am always saying no to the cakes and biscuits that float around the office they just assume I am losing the weight by willpower and exercise alone so I don't think it is necessary to tell them about my 'tool'

Good luck with your journey xx

 

[Nurse Julie]

I worked on a surgical ward and asked one of the surgeons for some advice about having WLS. He was lovely, said he didnt think i needed it but respected my wishes and offered to sponser me to help loose the weight. He admitted to not knowing much about it as he specialises in colorectal surgery and advised me to ask another consultant, which i did. However, he wasnt all that knowledgable either and laughed in my face. i was furious! once i'd decided to have surgery i told everyone i worked with and they were all very suportive.
12 months after my surgery the nasty conultant aproached me and said " are you the nurse who was asking me about surgery"? i replied "Yes, and you laughed in my face!!!! i told him i'd had a sleeve gastectomy and had lost 7st. he looked as embarrassed as i was when i asked him for advice.
i see people i havent seen for a long time and they all comment on how much i've lost and i just tell them how much i've lost and that i had surgery and its the best thing i've ever done. if they want to critisize me for it let them. i did it for me not them x

Hi Donza
Hmmm, I've seen my fair share of nasty Consultants too in my time:sigh: but great to see that you had the last laugh eh!? :8855:

Jxx

 

[liggielass]

i just told a select few first then when i came back to work the people who noticed and commented on my weight loss i just told them the truth that i had a gastric bypass xxxxxx

 

[JO28172]

I plan on telling my closest colleagues and the others I will wait to see the shock on their face when they next see less of me when visiting their branches

 

[cu16]

Ive told everyone.

I feel very privilidged to have been accepted on the waiting list especially in this economic climate. I cant wait.

 

[angiemason]

i haven't even told most of my family and only a couple of close friends, i still keep thinking something will happen to stop me having it done so i try not to get too excited about it .

 

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks for all of your comments.
Interestingly, yesterday someone at work commented on my weight loss and I told her about BS she was very positive and supportive which was not what I expected. I have decided to tell the others when they ask about weight loss, although I'm sure the office 'telegraph' will inform them!!!

Jxx

 

[stacey-marie]

my whole family know about my surgery i am proud of my self for having the courage to actually change my life for the better ..... work on the other hand i havent told as i wasnt sure i could get the time off to heal with full pay once im back at work im gonna tell them... xxx

 

[Denise Morris]

Hi

I just wondered if any of you have/have not told your colleagues about your surgery.
I have only told my manager and I know that she hasn't told anyone else. I have tried to analyze why I haven't told anyone else at work and I think it's because I feel ashamed that about 3 years ago I lost 8 stones on lighterlife and then piled 7 back on again :cry:

Interestingly, some of them have noticed that I only eat a little bit of food and I have said that I am trying to lose a bit of weight. Couldn't find the courage to tell them about the surgery though :sigh:
I had to laugh out loud though last week when I was visiting some of my clients (I visit brothels offering advice, STI screening and vaccinations), one of the women said 'Have you lost weight Julie' I said 'yes just a little bit' she then said 'do you fancy doing a stand in for today as I'm a girl down' :8855:
It kept me laughing all day long!

I would be interested in your experiences re whether you have told colleagues or not, their reaction when you did, or if you didn't their reaction when you started to lose weight (what did you tell them?)

Jxx

All my colleagues/family knew about planned surgery I didn't feel ashamed only annoyed that after 5 years of doing pre op assessment and seeing so many people on their way to surgery it took me so long to make the best decision of my life.