secret surgery

[bay bay]

Hello, Just got a call from a friend who was asking advice and not knowing what to say, I'm trying here.

She had breast implant surgery 20 years ago, and now is having complicationss. She needs to have the implants removed, and her doctor told her she would need to be out of work for 2-3 weeks. She works in the "Corporate office world" and is struggling on what to tell her co workers as to the reason she will be out of work. She obviously does not want to state the real reason, and when I suggested to simply say "Its personal" (none of your business in other words) she said it wouldn't fly. What other common surgery would justify a response for her? Please help!!

[DDRN4me]

how about " iam having female issues" most people wont even go there!!!

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

A step up from the "It's personal" can be, "I prefer not to talk about it; I'm sure you understand." Only a complete dolt would press on.

I feel quite strongly that she shouldn't have to specify what's happening, especially not a lie, since she'll be hearing from everybody who ever legitimately had that particular surgery done, thus causing her more stress of maintaining the lie.

However, if she's not comfortable with the above, the "female problems" is an excellent option, then follw up any nosy types with the, "I prefer not to talk about it; I'm sure you understand."

Best of luck to her!

[Larry77, RN]

I'm not sure what kind of relationship she has with her co-workers but I have always been completely open with my life at work. Yes I am one of very few men in a mostly women profession where everyone seems to like to talk about theirs and others personal lives...maybe that is why I talk so freely.

My wife just had her breast augmentation surgery two days ago. (I did not want her to but was not going to stop her because this was something she has been wanting to do for herself for years) I was very open with why I was taking a few days off to take special care of my wife and this was not an "issue" with any of my co-workers and was not even a "hot-topic" because this procedure is so common nowadays.

I do wonder though if it is different in the corporate world where "image" seems to be more important than in our line of work...hmm

Personally I never have been good at coming up with stories so have always just come out and stated the truth because it takes such less effort but the "woman problems" idea sounds feasible.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I agree, id just brush it over with "female issues". They dont have to know its none of their business. But you friend may get innundated with all her co-workers horror stories about their "female problems". She may just have to listen and let it go unless she wants to devulge more information.