Calling all teachers

I have gotten my approval and was planning on going ahead with VSG in the next two months. I was thinking 3 weeks would be enough time off and I would be eating soft food by the time I go back. However, now I am thinking I should wait till summer. If I wait no one will know I had any surgery and I might be able to hide the fact I had WLS. I also was thinking I would have time to get use to my new tummy and how it responds to food. I also realize I;m getting super nervous about doing this. At the same time I realize I am doing this for better health.

Any insight going ahead or waiting till summer?

I'm not a teacher- but I wouldn't wait. Why put starting in the road to healthy because other may flap their gums about how your getting healthy.  People will recognize that you are losing-- so spend energy in how you will choose to respond. (I don't tell folks at work about my surgery btw). 

I had my RNY during Christmas Break. I had my surgery on Dec. 23 and went to work on January 2. I was tired, but I was just fine. I was up front with everyone about the surgery so I can't help you on that part.  Everyone at school has been very supportive.

Good luck, and if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to give my two cents on my experience being a teacher.

Hello,

I'm a teacher and I tried very hard to have my surgery over the summer but my surgeons schedule just didn't permit it so I would have needed to wait until next summer. I opted to have it as soon as I could so it was done in late September. I took 6 weeks off because for my job (hs music) I'm on my feet conducting all day and have many extras after school. I'd imagine how long you are out would depend on what you teach and how active you  need to be. Now I am glad I didn't wait to get the surgery, I wish I'd done it even sooner! I'm a much better teacher (way more energy) and it really didn't end up making a huge difference to the students. Actually they really missed me so they were so happy I was back they are working really hard. Haha. I haven't told anyone at work I had surgery and I haven't had an issue.  My opinion, put your health first. 

If they see you every day the weight loss will be gradual, and it takes longer to notice. If you go back in the fall and have lost a ton of weight since they last saw you, they'll all assume you had surgery. Or cancer.

But really, you'll lose so much, people will figure it out anyway. Do what's best for you, and don't worry about what people know.

I wouldn't look for reasons to postpone surgery.  From my personal experience, the sooner the better.  I have never heard anyone say, "Gosh, I wish I had waited a couple more months."  I have seen over and over that people's only regret is that they didn't have surgery sooner.  

You asked for teachers' responses -- I teach at the college level.  Had surgery over winter break -- New Year's Eve 2013, to be exact.  Was teaching two weeks later -- walking two large campuses.  I was very tired -- and a bit sore at first -- but I was fine.  It was easy enough to pack 2 oz of food to take... and I only brought food that I had already tried at home.  In fact, I often took a protein shake and a bottle of water.  I was just finishing the pureed diet when I went back.

Don't wait. Start living your healthy new life ASAP. I am a teacher. We were a month into the new school year but I still had it done as soon as I could. I did take 2 weeks off. When I returned, I was tired and went to bed early every night for months, but it was so worth it.

If you have it now, you will be thinner and healthier by summer and be able to enjoy your summer off!!

I work in academia, but not as a teacher (I'm a university librarian).  But I waited until June for some  of the same reasons you listed (easier to take extra time off if needed, give myself and my new stomach time to adjust to the food progression, etc).  I'm glad I did because I had two strictures that summer - I found myself in the bathroom throwing up a few times a day - much easier in the summer when I'm not standing in front of a class or working at the reference desk - yikes!!).

as for the weight loss, I started out so heavy that people didn't start noticing I'd lost weight until Oct or Nov.  By then I'm sure no one connected it to the "vacation" I took in June, or even remembered the "vacation"...

I teach elementary. So next 2 months would be near spring break most likely? I would try to schedule for a few days before break and come back right after. 

Start letting on that you are on a health kick now, people won't know anything. 

I wouldn't wait,  summer is for enjoyment!

I am a corporate trainer, so I think my experience applies here.

I took 8 weeks off work and very glad that I did.  It was a good 6 weeks before I felt like myself again and I took 2 weeks to get myself into a routine for my work days.  I think waiting until summer is a very smart idea, for you just don't know how your recovery will go.