What to tell people during recovery?

[LargoJoe]

I've told some people, like close friends, the truth. Only I made it sound like I was exaggerating and bragging, so they don't know if I'm just pulling their leg or not.

"The wife and I were having wild and crazy sex, and we fucked so hard that we fractured my penis." (true story)
"I eventually had to go to a urological surgical specialist for a surgical repair and scar tissue removal, and hopefully I'll be as good as new."

Other, not so close friends just get the "minor outpatient surgery, it's kind of personal" story.

[HardTimes26]

Thank you, Gentlemen. Hernia is the way to go in the little white lie department. Unfortunately, there were some complications in today's surgery. A catheter for 10 days will make things a little messier.

Hardtimes, sorry about the complication, saying a prayer that everything works out and you don’t have any more bumps in the road.
I would say the Hernia is still a good answer, everyone is different and some people have long healing times from hernias.

Hang in there buddy,
SWorks

Thanks for the encouragement, SWorks. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It's just a little longer ride.

[Oz1958]

When I started this journey I was still working, and quite a few people were aware of my previous prostate emergency during a business trip, so not much to explain there, even though here in Oz legally we only need a letter from a doctor "Mr X" is unfit for work from "date Y" to "date Z" and HR can't ask any more.

But now I'm retired and looking forward to my retirement gift from me to me.

With my surgery scheduled for tomorrow I have recently needed to explain multiple times why I won't be available for upcoming occasions.

For those who need a medical explanation I have been going with "follow up surgery for my prostate problems ". That ends a conversation very quickly.

But I have been taking great joy in using a variety of euphemisms.

"New pistons, rings and bearings"
"Bottom end overhaul"
"Old man's plumbing upgrade"

There is great acceptance of these light hearted descriptions, with no need for further elaboration