Question:
ANYONE THAT HAD THE SURGERY DID YOU CHANGE YOUR CAREER?
The reason why I ask this question is because I may do this myself later on. I was wondering if it has made a difference in your wages and plus if you felt better about the career change instead of what you were doing prior to the surgery? Please respond emails are welcome too! — Nicole H. (posted on August 19, 2002)
August 19, 2002
I have been a nurse for years and always will keep up my nursing, BUT, I
have always wanted to be a flight attendant.
I dreamed of it daily! But it was never going to happen at the weight I
was. After my first WLS year I decided to "go for it" and was
actually hired, passed the training and had a ball traveling all over
Europe and every other day to Vegas, Cancun etc. Sitting by the pool in a
suit is my idea of a great job! ( I work 1 W/E a month doing nursing to
keep current)
— ZZ S.
August 19, 2002
Nicole, I didn't change careers, but was between jobs when I had the
surgery. Needless to say, that before the surgery when I would go out on
interviews and not get the job offer, I didn't feel good about myself and
often blamed my not getting the job to my weight. After surgery, and the
weight started dropping off, my self-esteem, confidence and self-image
soared. 2 months after surgery I was gainfully employed again-good job and
happy too.
— Cindy R.
August 19, 2002
Nichole, I heard that women who are more than 65 lbs overweight earn an
average of 7% less than their thinner counterparts. Changing jobs after
WLS is a great idea, especially if you feel you are underpaid for the work
you do now.
— Amber L.
August 19, 2002
Funny you should ask, 2 weeks after returning to work from my operation, I
lost my temper and walked-out on a job I had hated for 7 years, and I did
that with $0 in my bank account and no idea what I wanted to do. What
should have worked-out to be the worse move in the world actually ended up
with a very good governement job and a cool $1000 more a month in
pay.....would I have quit my old job like that before the operation and
50lbs heavier I don't think so, did it work out? Heck yeah..:0)
— Diane B.
August 19, 2002
Um, yes, I had a career change. Yes, it is more rewarding to do the work I
do today than anything I ever did. But it was certainly nothing I planned.
— vitalady
August 19, 2002
Hello: I didn't change careers, I went one further. I worked for the same
company for 12 years and after surgery I had such a different attitude
towards my industry, I BECAME MY EMPLOYERS COMPETITION... I started my own
company and things could not have worked out any better. The one new
company has branched off to 3 other sister companies to go with it...My
FORMER employer wasn't too thrilled that I left, but when they figured out
I was their competition, the mouthes dropped....I have so much self
confidence in myself now...before I was just a sloth going to my desk
everyday....I have to now make myself go to bed after 15-16 hours of
working.....LIFE IS GOOD & I have my surgeon and everyone on this site
to thank for it...When I had "stupid" questions, one of you guys
had the answer or told me to call my Dr....THANKS AGAIN !!!
— Joi G.
August 20, 2002
I didn't work outside the home prior to surgery. I am starting school full
time this fall (actually next week) I don't think I would have had the
courage or self confidence to take this step before surgery. I worried
about not fitting in the seats and having to go up and down stairs to
class. I'm excited, nervous but in a good way, and I really think without
the surgery I would not be starting this next life phase:) good luck if you
change jobs!
— Becky K.
August 20, 2002
I have not changed careers but I have to say after loosing more than 100lbs
already I can feel the difference in the air and in myself. I am
confident, where as before I would never think of changing because of Fat
Chick prejudice now I am all gung ho! Of course I am waiting a bit longer,
I would like to be below 200 when I start really hitting it, 11 more lbs to
199 :) I have this green Nieman Marcus suit I bought that is a size 16,
that is like my goal interview suit :) I wish anyone out there that is
thinking of changing after surgery all the luck in the world. Our
attitudes sure change about ourselves, that makes a big difference. I used
to be like..I am a mouse, please do not look at me, you don't see me, I am
blending...Now I am like I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!! :)
— smedley200
August 20, 2002
Yes. Though I'm not back at work yet, I do plan to go into something
different. I was a telephoen operator and now I want to do aromatherapy and
massage. I think it has to do with me not settling and 'hiding' from the
world anymore.
— Gremlin Q.
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