Surgery & School?

I have kind of a crazy question to ask all of you wls veterans so let me tell you a little about me. I am 18 years old, 5' 11'' , 365lbs. and have an extensive list of medical problems that include diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, cancer and many more things. I have been considering having the gastric bypass for some odd years now and have finally decided that I am going to do it. My family and friends are very supportive of my decision to go through with the surgery. I just graduated high school and hope to start college in the fall. I have already started the insurance process with the surgery and I am on the 5th month of the 6-month period. The surgeon says that I should expect to have my surgery done sometime in the middle of August if approved. I am on this web site all of the time, but I am more of a reader than a poster. I love to read all of your guys post. I get so much more information from this forum than any of the doctors that I have talked to. So in saying all of that, here is my question: I am planning to attend college starting September 4, 2008 and if my surgery is a week or two before that, would it be a good ideal to wait and start school? I plan on having the surgery no matter what, but if it is going to be too much too soon, school can wait. I was wondering if you guys could tell me what you think because I trust that you guys really know your stuff. Thank You and God Bless You All! - Ashley

Since I am a 39 year-old Mom, wife, a full-time employee and student, I thought I would attempt to answer this for you.  Therefore, I hate to tell you this but there is really no sure fire way to say when it comes to this surgery.  It seems that some fly through and others have difficulties, however one thing for sure is that you will be tired for about 6 weeks or more.  Therefore, I would try to have the surgery in early August to give you more time.  What every you decide to do, do not put off your education or the surgery, because I know first-hand how hard it is to go to school, have a family, work, not to mention a social life and in poor health.  If you want to do both, then you may want to see if they offer any online classes and try them for your first semester, therefore if you are not feeling like physically attending class you will not be behind and knocking out two birds with one stone!! Good luck with your decision and a speedy approval!! Shelia 

I would have to agree with Shelia, after my surgery I was very tired for the first month or so. Our bodies go through such a shock that it needs time to heal. I didn't have any problems and I thank the good Lord above for that but I was very tired.  However, I was 39 also when I had my surgery you are a lot younger so you may adapt quicker, there isn't any way of really knowing how it will affect you. Just beware that you will probably want to sleep a lot afterwards. Good Luck to you and God Bless.

Hi! I had my surgery a little over a month ago. As for the "pain", in the hospital it was tolerable with the help of pain meds. The first 2 days at home was almost unbearable because the pain meds aren't as good LOL But, exactly one week after surgery I felt relatively good. I was able to go out and walk around Wal Mart for a couple hours. And, 9 days after surgery I was at the gym and feeling GREAT! I am 33 and while not young exactly but after surgery I sure don't feel 33. Now, as for the fatigue I concur with what was already said. I feel so dang tired so much.  Now, that's not to say that I just don't do anything but sleep. But, sometimes I have to push myself to get out and about.  But, once I get going it's hard to get me to stop. However, if I spend the whole day doing and going then when I do sit down I am just DONE! Like others said, everyone is different but I think that age definitely works in your favor. Of course, it's not common people are at the gym 9 days after surgery. Be prepared for fatigue but you can continue to go on about daily activities for the most part. I do want to say that I think you are making a great decision for your future and I commend you for being able to make that decision at your age. When I first starting thinking about WLS I was a couple years older than you and it took me about 10 yrs to finally act upon it. And, I was 367 the day of surgery. So, kudos to you for making a great life decision!

It may depend too on where you are going to school. Will you be living at home or in the dorm? If you will be living at home and commuting to classes, you will have an easier time than if you are living on campus. By living at home, you will have more control over what you have available to eat.  I was working at a university when I had my surgery. Just 6 weeks before my surgery, one of our nursing students had gastric bypass (this was right after the Fall semester ended for Christmas break) She came back at the start of the Spring semester in January and moved immediately into her clinicals. She did great! Note - she was married and living in a married apartment on campus so she had the advantage of her own kitchen for most of her meals.  Good luck sweetie. I say if you need to delay school by one semester so you can have the surgery, go for it. You will never regret postponing school to get your health back.

Thank you guys so much for posting back. I had not heard of being fatigue after the surgery. I will be attending Tennessee Technology Center at Jacksboro in Jacksboro, TN in the nursing program. After having a long talk with my mom, I have found out that she has been wanting to go to college and start nursing school as well, but she didn't want to say anything! She said that she thought that I wouldn't want her going to school with me. I told her that I definetly wouldn't mind her going with me and thought that it might be fun. So I guess that is God's way of telling me to wait because she didn't graduate high school and she will have to go and get her GED and all of that stuff. Again thank you guys sooo much & God bless! - Ashley

I can relate to your question. I am having lap band on August 12 and I start school 2 weeks after my surgery and my surgeon said I should be fine. My procedure doesn't have as much healing time as gastric bypass but I think you'll be okay if you just give yourself at least 2 weeks to recover. As long as all you're doing is sitting in class all day, I'm sure you'll be fine. I have heard from alot of gastric bypass patients that it takes a long time for the fatigue to get better, but sitting in class doesn't usually take alot of effort. But if you're worried, I would say take a semester off and let your body get totally adjusted before stressing yourself out. Good luck! Leslie