How can I receive medical leave from a doctor without telling my job what procedure I am having done?

It is not your employers right to know what the reason for the medical leave is. When a doctor fills out a medical leave form, they solely state that they are your medical professional and under their care, not the reason or cause of it. Hope this helps.

You are entitled to your privacy, so you need not worry about your surgeon describing anything more than "surgery" and any restrictions applicable to your job requirements. However, if you are asking for paid "sick leave" or paid benefits, your company may have the right to inquire about "qualifying procedures," which might exclude elective cosmetic procedures, for instance.Only you know the details of your job's requirements for time off, sick leave, paid medical leave, or FMLA requirements--you will have to check with your employer or HA department, and that might involve confiding in a trusted supervisor, who you can gently "remind" that disclosing confidential personal information is a privacy violation that can result in legal action (if you want to go that route, and play "hardball").Or you can simply take vacation time and then make up your own excuse (the less said the better). Good luck! Dr. Tholen

It depends how you are taking leave.   If you use vacation time, then there is no reason for staff to discuss your personal life at work without a violation of privacy.    If you use state disability, the physician has to disclose the procedures codes which describe your surgery.    In either case, it would be a violation of privacy and harassment to discuss your private life.

Dear Ms. Ashley Jo,Thank you for your information and questions. I understand and respect your privacy issues.I suggest a alternative approach: make a appointment with your primary care phyiscian, discuss your concerns and see if he/she could compose a letter that would provide what you need without compromising anyone's integrity.I trust you have chosen a Plastic Surgeon who is experienced and Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition ideally a members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).I wish you my best and success,R. A. Hardesty, MD, FACSDiplomate and Certified by the Am. Bd. of Plastic Surgerywwwimagineplasticsurgery.com4646 Brockton AveRiverside, Ca 92506(951) 686-7600