I made the decision to get the gastric sleeve early this summer right after school let out. (Really the only time I have to just focus on me). I did the research and knew about the clearances required but I was really hoping to have the surgery before going back to work in the fall. I am not covered my my insurance and I don't have any comorbidities so I'm a cash patient and things are moving pretty fast.

I am just wondering if I should feel guilty about having this surgery if it ends up happening in August and I have to take off a week when I just came off of a 2 month vacation.

Thoughts??

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Hi Almost! I'm also a teacher and I am being sleeved next Tuesday. I go back to work August 1 for in-services, but if I need to take that week off, I'm fine with that. I think if you have to take off at the beginning, that's preferable to taking time mid-year or even after the winter holidays imo. Teachers come in late often, and sometimes schools don't have numbers for enrollment on the first day so coming in a little late will be minimally disruptive. Good luck! I'm self pay also and things have gone really quickly.

Thanks so much! I appreciate your response. How long were you planning to take off. I was hoping to just need a week. I'm an AP so I think I can get away with hiding in my office if I start to feel tired or overwhelmed.

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I'm planning to go back on Aug 1- but the students don't arrive until Aug 17. I think I will be fine to sit through in-services-- we have first aid, reporting abuse/neglect, grade requirements etc etc. It's a lot of sitting for that week, which is rest Yes, you can definitely shut your door and work on something if your tired/need a break... my AP (who is also a really good friend) and she told me to hide out in her office if I need to powernap . Very exciting school year ahead for both of us, I think! Are you telling your co-workers? I've told my work BFF and my AP. They are both supportive.

What are you planning to do for lunches for the first few months? I'm not sure what I'll be eating and tolerating, so I'm not certain what to bring. I do have a mini-frig in case I need to keep some Protein shakes around.

I haven't told anyone at work yet. I'm a little nervous because this is only my 2nd year at this school so I don't really have a work BFF yet.

I have a mini fridge in my office too and I was thinking of keeping some pre made shakes, fruit juices and yogurt if I can have it.

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I am also a teacher. In hoping to have the surgery the 1st week of August! I go back Aug 16 eek!

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I'm a professor, so a little different situation. Mine was in October. Never feel guilty for taking care of yourself. It's not like you're waiting, this is simply when it can be booked. I took two full weeks off, and the third I taught classes only. My recovery was a bit more difficult in terms of fatigue, than I think it is for many. Good luck!!

I have a colleague who took 3 weeks off for RNY surgery in October. Her plan was to get her kids started, then turn them over to an experienced retired teacher (the women had team-taught for 10 years before one retired) while she had surgery and recovered. I know there was a fair amount of grumbling among the faculty, and the students' parents weren't thrilled, but it's really nobody's business but your own. If you have the sick leave, take it- you don't have to get permission, don't have to explain what you are having done or why. What you DO have to do is make sure you are rested, hydrated, and healthy enough to return to work- otherwise your full recovery will take that much longer.

I'm getting sleeved on August 17th. I work with toddlers so i am planning to take 4-6 weeks off. I work for a university childcare center and our academic year begins August 15th! I know it's a terrible time to take off, but I can do it then or wait until December. I was planning to just take a few weeks off, but with the weight limits and restrictions I don't think I would be ready after a few weeks. There is so much bending, lifting, and carrying that I think I am going to err on the side of caution and take a little longer. If there are an other ECE's out there, let me know how it went for you!

I was lucky, I'm a para in a high school and I had a sleeve done two years ago. My insurance covered it, so I spent the school year jumping through hoops and was able to schedule it early in the summer. Be prepared for fatigue.

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Thank you all for responding. I have only told a handful of people closest to me and you all are saying the same thing.

I'm coming to terms with just taking care of me.

What did you do to help with fatigue? Were there any supplements that you found that worked well?

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I teach high school. We return August 1st. Students return August 3rd. I'm looking at getting sleeved in December so I can use the two-week break to recover.

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I go back September 6 and I am getting sleeved August 22. Absolutely not ideal - I teach pre k in NYC and it's really hands on. However because of insurance I can't get it done before that and I am not willing to wait until next summer. None of our breaks mid year are long enough. The first week we have 2 pd days then two half days then a three day weekend - so I am just hoping for the best.

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I'm also in education, a counselor, and am getting sleeved on July 18th. Counsellors and APs have to return July 29th which gives me 10 days to recoup. If I need to I will take the 29 the off and return August 1st. I'm also cash pay since our insurance doesn't cover any bariatric surgeries. My surgeon thinks I'll be able to return after two weeks if I keep up with the walking. I think it is better to have it done early in the year as opposed to later in the school year. Good luck!

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Wanted to check in -- I was sleeved July 12 and I decided to attend a seminar today. It's been exactly one week. I feel way, way better than I expected. The first two days were very rough, and I had neuropathy in both arms that is just now going away-- but the pain was very tolerable (I only needed pain meds the first night). I was very sick the first morning in the hospital (threw up everything... nurse gave me something in my IV to fight being nauseated, and after that was ok). I started walking the day I went home, but could only walk about 15 minutes. One week later I can walk just fine and have had no issues tolerating liquids. Everyone is different but I definitely overestimated the amount of recovery time I would need.

I will be at work Aug 1 for in-service stuff. Kids come Aug 17.

Wow!! That makes me feel great. I got my surgery date and its Aug 22nd. I told my boss already that I would be taking 2 weeks off. He seems to be very supportive although he doesn't know what the surgery is for but I feel much better knowing that he knows and that potentially that will be enough time to feel well enough to work

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