What to tell people during recovery?

[HardTimes26]

I deal with the public in my job. Lots of meetings. (Lots of hard seats!) Many of the people I interact with know me fairly well. Some will be curious if I'm walking slow or canceling meetings.

Any suggestions for clever excuses during the first week or two in recovery, when I expect discomfort, icing, etc., will require taking it easy?

Aside from the Bionic Brotherhood, I'm not keen on sharing this very private surgery with anyone, including family. Not now, anyway.

[GoodWood]

“Hernia surgery”.

It’s neutral. Not embarrassing. Explains why you are moving gingerly. And doesn’t lead to further questions.

[riseagain]

Agree with Goodwood, That's the best explanation to give. After about a week or two you should be fine.

[cbinspok]

Agreed with the other brothers
Hernia surgery, I asked my doc what I should say, his advice was to tell no one, in recovery you’ll be concerned with lots of stuff, there will be plenty of time down the road to choose who to tell.

[Ephi82]

Hernia.

[SWorks17]

Yup, that’s what I told all the people around me a hernia.
I didn’t get any more questions.

SWorks

[Old Guy]

I told people had a tumor removed from my testicle. No one asked any questions.

[Time2Change]

I told people I was having hernia surgery.

I think the typical time to be out of work is two weeks.

At my two-week follow-up appointment, my doctor deflated me.

At that point, I was able to wear loose pants. I think I walked bowlegged for a little while because the implant was so stiff that it felt like a stick down my leg. Also, and most distressing, was that I had a little incontinence for a while.

But I don't recall anyone seeming to notice these things.

[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.

[SWorks17]

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