Hello everyone!

I am scheduled for my banding on December 23! SO excited :-)

I am employed as a teacher in Massachusetts. Luckily, my surgery is being done during winter vacation so I will be back to work on January 3rd, though I realize I will still have my stitches in. Every teacher at my school has a "duty" and my "duty" is bus duty. I have to stand outside for a 1/2 hour each day and make sure the kids get into the school safely. I don't mind this duty because I get to see the kids! However, the worst part of this duty is having to stand outside for a 1/2 hour in below freezing temperatures.

I was just wondering if being exposed to the cold (below freezing temperatures typically in the low 20s) for this prolonged period of time is ok after surgery? I remember hearing that with stitches, it's best to avoid extreme temperatures? Does anyone have experience with this? Should I talk to my surgeon about getting a note to excuse me from bus duty while I heal?

Thanks :-)

I would get an excuse just in case whether the cold affects you or not. Who wants to do bus duty right after surgery?

Hello everyone!

I am scheduled for my banding on December 23! SO excited :-)

I am employed as a teacher in Massachusetts. Luckily, my surgery is being done during winter vacation so I will be back to work on January 3rd, though I realize I will still have my stitches in. Every teacher at my school has a "duty" and my "duty" is bus duty. I have to stand outside for a 1/2 hour each day and make sure the kids get into the school safely. I don't mind this duty because I get to see the kids! However, the worst part of this duty is having to stand outside for a 1/2 hour in below freezing temperatures.

I was just wondering if being exposed to the cold (below freezing temperatures typically in the low 20s) for this prolonged period of time is ok after surgery? I remember hearing that with stitches, it's best to avoid extreme temperatures? Does anyone have experience with this? Should I talk to my surgeon about getting a note to excuse me from bus duty while I heal?

Thanks :-)

I am thinking that you may not want to do that so soon after surgery. I have been very cold since my surgery and you may have the same issue. Could you switch duty with someone for a month or so? Just a thought.

Ask your doc if he/she uses stitches. My incisions/stab wounds were sealed with Dermabond.

Ask your doc, quick call to the office to ask. But honestly, you won't be standing in the cold with your belly exposed, you will be covered up with a coat I assume, scarf, gloves etc, so your core temp of your body will be pretty static, your ears may be cold, but your core body temp won't be that affected. I would think the standing may be more of a concern for that period of time, rather than the cold. I'd ask though, just to make sure.

Nicole