Question for those in college/grad school....or not

So...I've been slowly but surely taking classes for my Master's degree. I recently decided to finish up my last 4 classes online...and by taking 1 class/semester....which will have me graduating in Spring, 2009. I have been stressing myself out about this surgery date. I keep trying to plan it so it can perfectly land in the first few weeks of January (during winter break)...but I know there are many things that can come up that I can't plan....complications can also arise that may require me to be hospitalized during the time that encroaches the semester...who knows! Also, I just started a new job in the beginning of the summer, and I want to be flexible for my boss for the 2-3 weeks I will need to take off for the surgery...so that is another factor that may prevent me from landing the perfect surgery date.  I'm thinking of just stopping all the maddness and take a semester off of school. I figure I will need to closely focus on my diet and excercise for those few months after surgery (and of course, beyond), and the stress of having a class may hinder that process. What do you all think? Anyone have any experience with this?

You might want to take a semester off. or take a class that is only offered the 2nd half of a semester. I remember having one or two weekend classes like that in grad school.  I cant imagine going through surgery while i was in grad school!  you need to be able to rest and recoupperate, grad school is so demanding that you will be tired and stressed out and it might hinder your recovery.  you will need at least 5 or 6 weeks before you feel 100%. 

I took off this semester to do the whole process and will recover over break and go back in the spring.  I would take the time for yourself to focus on you and give yourself a chance to heal and get in a routine.

I didn;t take any time off.... I wanted my surgery this summer it didnt happen.  I ended up having it on the 11th of september 2nd week of classes.  I told all my teachers about the surgery... i was out from the 11th till the 24th they were all really understanding I still have some back work but they understand that it will come in when I get to it.... My doctor was happy i was going back to school because that got me up and walking more than if i was just at home.

First, welcome to our group. It's a great bunch. You'll find a lot of support here and it is always FUN....This question comes up alot, if you search some of the past threads you will find a lot of great info on the topic.... Basically, there are a lot of variables involved so it will depend....What procedure are you having? Recovery from an open RNY for example would take longer then for laproscopic lap-band surgery.  Also, have you talked to your surgeon about it? Depending on his/her schedule and case-load they may be willing to be flexible and work with your scheduling demands....How far along are you in the process? If you are all ready to go it is easier to putt off your date to make it fall into your timeframe then it is to get it moved up. Your professors are a factor to. If you tell them I'm going to have surgery (you don't even have to say what it is unless you want to) they will likely work with you as long as you talk about it in advance. As far as recovery times everyone is different. For me, I had laproscopic RNY - I was taking online classes and scheduled in a break around my surgery, but honestly I would have been OK taking just a week off. If I were taking classes at a campus, I would have been fine about a week and half out. Hope this helps, and again, welcome!

No, no, no! No need to quit school! This surgery is so easy! I had surgery on Thursday and was back in my gradute classes on Wednesday! You never have to miss a beat. Plus, school gives you something else to focus on besides what to eat and what not! You can do~ Holli

My plan was to have my surgery over the summer(preferably early on) so that I would have a bit to get in a routine.  That truly made it a lot easier to keep up the new routine once classes began again.  I had to have my gallbladder taken out that October though and that slowed me down just a bit, but I am not working, only classes full time.  It didn't effect my studies much at all.  Good luck! Rachale

i feel your pain....i am preparing for the gre and sending out all my grad school applications and going to school...right now my surgery is set for the weekend we get out for thanksgiving...so i am hoping that during that week i will be able to recover enough to start back school.....and i am praying that there is no complications....i seriously just said a pray and decided not to stress over it...i will say one that everything goes ok for u too