Worried @ Teaching while Recovering

[LouLouM 70]

Hi everyone. I have done all that I can to try and have surgery this summer, but it won't happen until the fall (we all know what a process this is). I am a mother of two and teach 6th grade, thus busy. I am very nervous about my stamina on the two week liquid diet and during recovery. My surgeon said that I will need to take a week off. For those of you who have been through the process already, what are your thoughts? I started the process in January and would hate to perhaps postpone surgery until winter break, but am wondering if it's the wisest thing to do. Teaching while on a liquid diet sounds EXHAUSTING.

[catwoman7 10,843]

I had to wait on mine. I was a university librarian (now retired). I could have gone as early as March (2015), but the library director wanted me to wait until the semester was over, so I had it June 3 (2015). I took three weeks off but could have gone back after two, probably - but then, my job was mostly a desk job. It might be harder with yours since you're on your feet all day - plus with kids of your own....

[Arabesque 6,420]

I taught year 6 many years ago & I would have definitely needed more than a week recovery before returning to the classroom. I tend to take longer to get over things & I struggled to return to a desk job at week 4: low blood pressure, low energy & often got doughy in the head as the day progressed. A friend returned to work after two weeks & was fine, another extended her two week leave to three weeks.

We all heal differently so take how you tend to recover into consideration. Remember you will be limited on how much you can lift too for the first month. I was restricted to carrying less than 5kg - 10lbs.

Can understand why you don’t want to delay your surgery further though.

[Orinskye 165]

Can you do the surgery at the beginning of thanksgiving break/end of the week prior to thanksgiving …. Then take a few weeks off after that break? That will give you three weeks post surgery but only taking two weeks of time off.
the other option would be to the the same thing but with winter break in December, do it at the beginning of winter break and then you can take two weeks recovery afterwards and you could then have 3-4 weeks off depending on how your schedule plays out.

im currently trying to get a teaching job (my weight has been detrimental to me landing a job). I spent last year subbing and I had to take a month off because I had a problem with low blood pressure. I went back after 4 weeks and I was good. The liquid diet wasn’t that big of a deal because no one was allowed to socialize during lunch (because of covid). I was worried about fatigue too, but even one month out my weight had dropped to the point where I had more energy (and less joint pain) I had prior to surgery…

good luck!

[Esi 179]

So hard to decide! Just want to add that there is a small chance of complications, too. I had nausea and vomiting for weeks which prevented me from eating and drinking like I should have been. I wasn’t able to work for 8 weeks.

Hopefully you will have an easier time, but teaching is demanding, so give yourself plenty of time to recover, gain back your stamina, and get accustomed to new ways of eating and taking supplements. GL!

[Cyt 5]

I teach 7th grade and had surgery in February this past year. It’s a major surgery and can be hard on your body so even though I didn’t have incision / surgery “pain”- I was tired, figuring out the food, keeping hydrated, my electrolytes were off some — just things I needed some time to get all figured out. I also have 2 kids of my own. My original intention was to take a little over a week off and return in about 10 days. I had some nausea issues at first - was in the hospital for 3 or 4 nights - back in the ER the next week with elevated heart rate. I ended up off a month as per my drs instructions after my couple little bumps in the road at first . Afterr 3 weeks I’d say I would have been okay but my original plan of just over a week off didn’t work. Several months out it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself - wish I would have done it sooner. Put yourself first - take the time you need. Let your body heal and best of luck to you!

[Keisha321 2]

If it’s 2 weeks of pre-op liquid diet, you’ll be fine. However, I’d say take at minimum 2 weeks off after surgery because getting in Protein and hydration is a full time job. I started feeling more like myself week 3

[LouLouM 70]

Thanks for all of your replies everyone. I am just so conflicted. I don't want to put it off because I have been going through all of the required motions since January, so putting it off until November or December seems like forever, yet I want to do a good job teaching. Sigh. I appreciate all of your responses.

[LouLouM 70]

Me again. Thanks to your feedback, I think that I will wait until November to have the surgery. I'll take off Thanksgiving week, the week after, and then have 2 weeks until winter break. Parent-teacher conferences will be finished and I will have plenty of time to recover and adjust.

Trying to look for the positive, I am thinking that I should take these next 4 months to focus on preparing my body for surgery. I have been working with the dietitian, and making some changes, but cannot lose too much weight as I will no longer qualify. So far I have lost 6 pounds. Is there anything else that you wise people suggest that I work on to prepare myself for the surgery and big life change?