WLS Surgery & Teaching

I wonder about the experiences of teachers who have had WLS. How have students, parents, administrators, other teachers reacted to your rapid weight loss, special diet needs, etc? Especially public school teachers who typically have 30 min to eat lunch (if that) and cannot even use the RR when mother nature calls. I've been out of the classroom for 7 years as a technology specialist, but am considering returning next year and hopefully will have my surgery sometime before August. Looking forward to meeting fellow teachers who are dealing with weight and WLS issues! Jenni preop

I just found the education board and was disappointed to find it so inactive. It looks as though we had surgery right around the same time.

Hey! I'm a Head Start teacher's aide. And I was wondering about returning to work once I have the Lap Band surgery done. Congratulation to all of you who have already went through the process and returned to work. Becky33

Hi, Jenni.  I am in the preop phase and am an AIG teacher which means I am not in the "regular" classroom right now but have back to back classes all day so I think that it is about the same a far as going to the bathroom.  I am a little concerned about that.  My school (elem) and the high school are on the same campus and the principal at the high school will be going through the same surgery.  I talked with him Friday and told him that I hadn't talked with anyone at school about it yet although I'm going to try to have it done during Christmas break.  He suggested that I go ahead and talk with my principal.  My principal said he was also thinking about doing it and he would wait to see how things went with me.  You never know...

 Will you have an assistant if you go back into the classroom?  It also might help to explain your situation to the principal or whoever makes up the school schedule.  When I had my daughter I explained the situation of needing to pump breast milk during the day (which was more than he wanted to know!).  He allowed me to go home during lunch (which is less than a block away - thank goodness) and spend my lunchtime as well as my class's "special" time (PE, music, art, library - one each day).  It really worked out well.  Didn't have that luxury with the first child and stopped breastfeeding at 6 months b/c of it. 

Not sure that I helped but I hope things work out well for you.  I would think tech specialist would give you a little more flexibility. ???  Good luck.
Ginny