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Original poster

Cosmetic surgery - what to tell work

22 replies

Sortthemout · 04/11/2022 00:18

I am due to have surgery for replacement breast implants (to replace faulty PIP implants) and need some ideas to tell work why I need to work from home the week after as I won’t be able to drive. I work in a very professional environment and will use holiday for the op date and then have 4 days off afterwards. I am happy to tell my boss minor surgery and doubt any further questions will be asked but just in case any of my colleagues ask, we do have fairly open conversations things, what minor surgery could I say? I don’t like the idea of lying and so just something vague would be good that has a recovery of 1-2 weeks? Any ideas, thanks

OP posts:

ItsNotNormalLove · 04/11/2022 00:23

I'd just go with "I'd prefer not to discuss it" and leave it at that. No matter how open you all are, no one has the right to know if you don't want them to.

BobbyBobbyBobby · 04/11/2022 00:42

No ones business but your own.

I f you feel the need to say anything ‘women’s things’ usually silences most.

meowzeer · 04/11/2022 00:48

Laparoscopy- removal of cysts. No one would know as its keyhole and recover is 1-2 weeks but up and about the next day after surgery.

MarmiteCoriander · 04/11/2022 00:51

I would think most colleagues are already aware you have implants. They are usually pretty obvious. Would you feel comfortable just telling the truth?

If not, I'd keep it vague. 'I'm having some investigations,' 'old shoulder issue needs sorting so I can't drive', 'I'd rather not go into the details till I know more myself'.

Original poster

Sortthemout · 04/11/2022 01:16

MarmiteCoriander · 04/11/2022 00:51

I would think most colleagues are already aware you have implants. They are usually pretty obvious. Would you feel comfortable just telling the truth?

If not, I'd keep it vague. 'I'm having some investigations,' 'old shoulder issue needs sorting so I can't drive', 'I'd rather not go into the details till I know more myself'.

No one knows at work at all actually. I had correction of a tubular breast deformity so the implants just filled them out rather than look like a glamour model. It has also been almost 15 years and kids later since they were done, and I have put weight on. Some of my friends don’t even know I had it done. Not all implants are for the reasons and looks that you may assume!

OP posts:

Original poster

Sortthemout · 04/11/2022 01:17

meowzeer · 04/11/2022 00:48

Laparoscopy- removal of cysts. No one would know as its keyhole and recover is 1-2 weeks but up and about the next day after surgery.

Thank you, this had come up on a Google search for ideas.

OP posts:

fallfallfall · 04/11/2022 01:57

to your closest colleagues you could simply say i had some breast issues that needed surgery, and not elaborate.

Wishyfishy · 04/11/2022 06:37

Hm but if you say a surgery like removal of cysts won’t they question when you are having it done and insist it goes down as sick leave not annual leave?

Walkerbean16 · 04/11/2022 07:29

It feels a bit weird to lie about things, just say it's personal?

Original poster

Sortthemout · 04/11/2022 07:45

Wishyfishy · 04/11/2022 06:37

Hm but if you say a surgery like removal of cysts won’t they question when you are having it done and insist it goes down as sick leave not annual leave?

I only need to take one day holiday for the op date, on a weds. I don’t work Thur/Fri and then I’ll have the weekend. I just need to pre warn about needing to WFH the following week as you is unlikely I’ll be able to drive. We are allowed to WFH anyway when there are no meetings so it’s just really so no one arranges in person meetings for me that week. They may put the op date down as sick/medical leave but it’s only one day and it is for an op (and I never take sick leave usually!)

OP posts:

MisgenderedSwan · 04/11/2022 07:53

I would say
'I need a minor op for reasons I'd rather not discuss. I won't be able to work thurs/Friday so I'm happy to take holiday those days. It's not recommended to drive for a few days after but I will be able to work from home'.

And present it as a fair accompli. It's a medical procedure, the PIP implants need replacing. IMO you're being very reasonable with work.

MisgenderedSwan · 04/11/2022 07:54

I misread the days needed for the op but the rest I would stick with!

Original poster

Sortthemout · 04/11/2022 07:58

Walkerbean16 · 04/11/2022 07:29

It feels a bit weird to lie about things, just say it's personal?

Yes that’s how I feel. I’m rubbish at lying too! I think if asked I’ll say private/lady’s things. I just didn’t want to be caught off guard and before I know it I’ve blurted it out to the whole (fairly male) department!

OP posts:

AlisonDonut · 04/11/2022 08:00

When i had surgery the hospital gave me a fortnights sick note anyway. Can you not just get one of those and take the rest needed to recover?

QueSyrahSyrah · 04/11/2022 08:09

Say nothing about surgery, say you've got a tradesman in the house for a few days and you'd rather be WFH so you can let him in / out and answer any questions?

Clymene · 04/11/2022 08:14

Just say you're having minor surgery and you can't drive for a week so you're going to be wfh.

People will not ask.

twinkleteas · 04/11/2022 08:15

You should take the operation day as sick leave at the very least, personally I would take the recovery as sick leave too. As you say, the original correction was not for vanity and now the follow up is necessary.

To me, taking it as annual leave gives the wrong and confusing messages, take it as sick leave.

acornsarenottheonlyfruit · 04/11/2022 08:16

I don't think its lying per se, you are being honest in saying that you are having surgery. The details are irrelevant, I don't know why one person is saying it would feel weird lying🙄. So everything in your life you tell the absolute truth? You are late to meet someone because you are in bed with your DH/partner 'sorry im late I was having sex', etc. .

Its no one business and they there is absolutely no need for them to know why you having surgery, as long as they know the dates you are off thats all thats matters.

Mrsjayy · 04/11/2022 08:23

Just say you are having an operation it's nothing too serious and leave it at that . Some might be nosey and persistent but hopefully they will just respect your privacy. You don't have to tell them anything.

Mrsjayy · 04/11/2022 08:25

I also think you should take it as sick days you are having an operation it's "allowed''

MichaelAndEagle · 04/11/2022 08:28

MarmiteCoriander · 04/11/2022 00:51

I would think most colleagues are already aware you have implants. They are usually pretty obvious. Would you feel comfortable just telling the truth?

If not, I'd keep it vague. 'I'm having some investigations,' 'old shoulder issue needs sorting so I can't drive', 'I'd rather not go into the details till I know more myself'.

Not everyone with breast implants is walking round like Katie price you know.

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 04/11/2022 08:33

I'm due to have cosmetic surgery in a few months and I've told my manager, I wouldn't tell my colleagues as its not their business. I wouldn't ask why they were WFH so they shouldn't ask either. I've asked to WFH that week so I can recover. Unless you really want to tell them, I'd just say you have a minor op and thats it. They shouldn't ask further and if they do, just say you'd rather not discuss it.

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