Question:
Does anyone else want to change their career after surgery?
I was wondering about feelings of wanting change. Is it normal to want to change around one's life when considering and having surgery? I just feel lately trapped by my chosen profession and having no social opportunities. I do childcare and more days than not I don't really want to continue. Could it just be depression or maybe since I am chosing a life change I want to change professions too? Anyone out there who has had the same feelings and what did you do? Did the feelings pass and you continue along as normal or did you make a change? Thanks Tammy — Tamilyn12 (posted on March 31, 2000)
March 31, 2000
Tammy:
I think it is pretty normal to want to change many areas of our lives after
WLS. I've been a Real Estate broker for 12 years and I'm ready for a
change. Plus, we can get out of the rut we are in and make lots of other
changes - exercise, activities, etc. I might even go back and finish
college! Plus, I think I'm going to take up painting! Who knows, maybe
I'll run for a public office again. (I am a former school board member).
This time maybe I'll get into the State Legislature. Or, I might move to
another State. The sky's the limit! I am woman, hear me roar!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrr! (Now, are you inspired??)
— Cindy H.
March 31, 2000
Tammy,
I have the same feelings. I was downgraded 3 years ago from a job that I
loved to one I hate. I have been wanting to get out of this job, but have
felt that if they would have wanted me they would not have put me in
another position. Since I have decided to have the surgery I have been
looking at getting my job back. For me it is a matter of feeling like I
deserve it. I have decided that I am going to wait until after the surgery
and have recoperated some to persue this. I was feeling very frustrated
before I decide to wait. You have to decide what is best for you. For me
when I decided to have the surgery it meant that I was finally taking care
of myself and I believed that I was entitled to dream of a better life.
Pam K.
— Pamela J. K.
March 31, 2000
Yes, I am 7 days post op and all ready thinking of a career change,, i am
currently in law enforcement, and was thinking of going to school to be a
lawyer, and yes speciality would be human's right's... you can be what ever
you want to be that this weight has held you back from being....
— Linda C.
March 31, 2000
This question and the one about feeling lonely the more weight is lost is
interesting. Last May, I made a mid-life career change at 500lbs., having
only fleeting thoughts about how my weight would impact my obtaining the
desired position. But I can see how having a fresh start in life has us
question where we have "settled" in life for something other than
being true to ourselves. The other thing is I think I can tolerate being
lonely when I are fat...I tend to expect it, I can't do the same types of
socializing as other people, I have to plan ahead, etc. But once I am
thinner, if I am lonely, it will mean I have to work on the other areas.
And maybe, just maybe, the reason I am lonely has more to do with features
of who I am being rather than anything abou my size. Truth is, at various
times in my life, I have been popular, people demanding to be with me, use
my time, etc., and I have been a social outcast. My perception is
"people are troublesome, either way." Now, I live peacefully
with a few friends, fewer family and a loyal, loving dog. I like it just
this way. Will I change as I start to lose weight? I guess we will
see....
— merri B.
March 31, 2000
What I have said to my family about this very topic, is that with this
surgery...we get to pick the life we want...instead of settling for the
life we have. Now, we have more choices and more confidence to follow what
we have secretly desired. While it can be frightening to leap into the
unknown, we will find a satisfaction that food can never touch...we can
finally live our dreams out loud!!!
— Anne C.
March 31, 2000
I think the child care business is one that produces lonliness and
isolation, especially if you are doing family child care. I do research
about the child care business. I am wondering if the weight loss was not
involved if you might feel the same way. There seems to be a high burnout
rate....
— Judy B.
March 31, 2000
I am only 1 month post-op, but already I have been thinking the same
thoughts that you are Tammy. i currently have a good job, but it's a desk
job that I have because I couldn't do anything that required standing,
moving around, etc...Now I am thinking of all the opportunities that I will
have when I don't have to worry about whether lifting is part of the job,
or that I won't even get certain jobs because of my appearance. I want to
do what I want, not what I have to do because of limitations.
— Holly G.
March 31, 2000
Well, prior to surgery I was on medical leave for my many medical
problems almost all were weight induced. I worked for many years as
legal secretary then paralegal for the last ten years. Presently still
on leave, however, I do want to return back to work asap and in the field
that I love "Law".. I have written many poems, the latest was
published in the book "Mirrors" Publisher Cader Publishing Ltd.
Iliad Press. I have also written a murder mystery "Beyond on all
Laws and Justice",however, I have several rewrites on that project
before it goes to publisher. Also my cookbook will go to print last of
April this year.. So while I'm recovering from surgery and yet another
surgery around the corner, I still manage to keep very busy. Thank you WLS
for giving me that life back so that I might accomplish all that I can.
;-)
— Victoria B.
March 31, 2000
Bravo Tammy for feeling that there are other things in life out there other
than what you you currently experience. GO FOR IT!!!
— Paula G.
March 31, 2000
Tammy, I am still pre-op, but as soon as I started thinking about this
surgery, I started think about change. I am in Special Education and have
been for years. Not only do I want change, I need it. The same week I
started research for the surgery, I registered to go back to college. I
have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, but I won't have my weight
be a factor in my decision. I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope
you find something that is very fulfilling.
— Donna G.
April 17, 2000
Tammi,
Many times I have told people that this surgery really didn't change my
life drastically. Ok well, not drastically but, it did change. I had a
very sedentary job before surgery and after having lost 120 pounds I
decided to change to a very physical job. I didn't want to be sedentary
anymore. I HAVE CHOICES NOW! People see me differently now (as a
worthwhile person, not just an obese person)and I have been offered many
jobs that I know that i would never have been offered before. The job I
have now only hires the "beautiful" people. It's not right, it's
not fair, but it's life and it's true. I find myself getting angrier and
angrier with prejudiced people now. Before, I couldn't say a word for fear
that people would point out my obesity. I didn't have any self esteem. I
have it now and I speak out. I used to just accept the fact that I
couldn't "get the right job" because I knew it was my weight.
How dare they! I am no different a person now than I was then. Large
people are so ridiculed and it's such an unfair situation. Our hearts and
minds do NOT change with this surgery, it just allows us to finally be the
people that we always were inside without fear of ridicule. I am basically
the same person I always was but certainly I fight for the large person
much more so now.
— BARBARA R.
August 28, 2002
I work in childcare for 3 years and it is a very hard job to do for years.
It is a very demanding job for anyone. The daycare I worked in had a high
turnover as well as people calling in sick alot! You are more than likley
burned out.
Good Luck!!
— MARIA H.
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