WLS and College...

Hey Everyone! I'm new here and weighing the option of surgery. I have dieted and failed for many many years, I have been obese since birth pretty much. I am currently a full-time student and live on campus. I was just wondering if there was anyone out there who had surgery while in college. I know I'll have to take time off, maybe, but is it possible with cafeteria food, and a busy schedule?? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!! Meag

Meag, Sure! it is possible but not easy. Although I havnt had wls yet I am stuggling keeping the 1million and 1 appoinments required by my surgeon and my pcp now as far as cafeteria food you'll have to bring your own in for a while and as far as time off everyone is diffrent I have read where poeple were feeling better in no time and others it took them months well I am sure you will be fine and I hope all goes well sorry I could be more help but feel free to e-mail me anytime Daria

Hi Meag!!! Welcome to the boards, I'm a slight lurker, but like ot post from time to time... I am going in for surgery on January 6th and my college startes classes 12 days later. I'm not sure I'll be able to get back in time, so am planning on shooting an email or calling my professors and letting them know that I had a major surgery days prior to the first of class and would appreciate it if they keep me enrolled (at the junior college I'm attending, you miss the first day, you're seat is given away). I hope this helps in some way. For the food, you'll probably need to bring your own, unless your cafeteria is better than mine! lol *~*Jaci*~*

Hey Deary! I working on my MBA so I truly understand your fear. I schedule my surgery 5 days after winter break and schedule my vacation at work for that time. As for the cafeteria food, I think that is going to be hard to maintain the proper nutrition. ANYTHING is possible with a busy schedule you just have to balance it all, but it can be done. Wish you luck!

Hello- I don't live on campus but I have a full schedule and had my surgery in May. I had it done right after finals. I would suggest the summer. That way you have time to recover and time to do things you need to do. Just incase of complications that is what I did. I got approved in Sept '04 and waited until May '05 to have it. I don't eat in the cafeteria. My main thing is protein bars. If you don't have the time you can always take a few bites on the way to your next class. And always carry a water bottle with you. You have to watch what you eat. So I'm not sure about the cafeteria food. It depends on what the doc says you can have. But it is possible. I also work part time and am married. So it is all possible! I wish you the best! hugs ~April~ Lap Rny May 13, 2005 21 yrs old, 5'1 231 / 144.5 / 120

Hi Meag, I am not in college, but I do have a demanding engineering job. I had my surgery on Nov 29th and was back at my desk at work 13 days later. I have been doing great. I was so lucky b/c i had no complications or probelms. Every once in a while I get sleepy, especially after I eat lunch, but so far the ride has been great. I am not sure how much overweight you are or how many health problems you have, but I think that makes a difference to how you feel after suregery. I think you will be able to do it as long as your schedule allows some breaks and you have no complications. I don't think you will want to eat cafeteria food. The first 3 weeks, I was on liquids only and now I am on pureed and just started eating some regular foods. After that the choices are yours to make, but I think you will want healthier food, so you lose the most you can. Good Luck and I will be praying for you. Carla

I had my surgery dec 20. i am a graduate student. i would say christmas break and summer break would be your best bets!! i don't go back to school until jan 17, so that gices me tons of time to heal. i have been doing great and my pain has subsided tremendously. good luck and God bless

Hey, I know this is a little late, but I have not been to OH for a while. I had my surgery my sophomore year in college. I had it over summer break 5 days after classes let out. Although I live off campus now, I lived on campus before the surgery. I feel that I could still live on campus now and when the semester began. If you are planning to do this I would recommend a little fridge and microwave. Also, since mine was over summer break, there were probably a few things I could have ate in our cafeteria. Some of the things I am thinking of are the soup options, grilled chicken, and salad. Some people can't handle salads, but I have no problem We have a daily food option here where they will serve some type of meat product. I would see no problem in eating the meat out of tacos, chilli, and other things of that nature. Also, decaf' coffee is available here as on option besides water. I always carry splenda on me to avoid sugar problems. I would really recommend having the surgery over summer break. I am a very busy person in college (18 hours, field obervations weekly, sorority life (I am a chapter officer), and a fiancee' to take care of). If you have any questions feel free to ask

Thanks!! Your life sounds a lot like mine...minus the fiance!! haha How long was your recovery time? I am thinking about having mine over summer break and we are off for 3 months give or take, but I also hoped to work a little bit to support my shop-a-holic tendencies! haha.

Hey, I had my surgery over summer break... I had it July 1, and went back to summer classes 3 days later. I left for study abroad in September and was absolutly fine.