Sleeve + School + Working....

[Neoteric Verve 65]

I'm slated for a September Sleeve. Here's the dilemma. Fall classes begin on August 29. Should I postpone classes until Spring semester and concentrate more on adapting to life with the Sleeve or plow ahead into class? I also work three, 12-hr shifts (sometimes 4 shifts) weekly. I know work and school is a tough combination as is. But will the added factor of "Sleeve Assimilation" be too much to deal with? My philosophy is that after the fall term, I'll have a better understanding of life post-VSG.

Would taking a semester off be beneficial? What are your thoughts? Deadline to drop classes is August 26.

[Shoppingbeemom 31]

My son's state college offers some classes online, it might be a way you can keep your feet wet with school and recoop a bit. As a mom I would hate to see you stop for even a short time.

[Neoteric Verve 65]

The classes I want are sciences (Biology and Chemistry). I wish there was an online alternative but there isn't. That's why I'm split on my decision.

[yikeit 1]

Well i guess we are in the same boat, i am being sleeved on the 30th and start school full time on the 29th, and also work 40 to 50 hours a week , (WE CAN DO IT) i am just going to do it, it will be what it is, i wish you luck in your decision, oh and i am sick of the liquid diet, ahhhhhhhhhhhh 7 more days.....................

[LindaS 316]

I teach at a university, and our classes start August 29 as well. I was sleeved August 9 to give me time to recover a bit before starting fall classes. Faculty week started this week (a week of meetings), and I did OK, but I didn't log my Fluid intake as well as I did previously because I was doing other things (and I have an app on my phone). I did get my needed nutrients, but I can see where it is something I will have to really pay attention to.

As a teacher, I'd be concerned about the time you are going to miss when you get sleeved. You will miss classes very early in the semester when things are being taught that you will need to know the rest of the semester.

It depends on the timing of your surgery, but I would have missed a full week of classes, and it can be almost impossible for a student to recover from that.

You may want to contact your professors and ask about their absence policy. You don't have to explain what you are having done. It is enough to state you are having a surgery that will require you to miss up to a week of classes. They may allow you to make things up or not. That way you can find out before the deadline.

Also, if for any reason, you have complications or are having problems, you will be missing more classes.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[readyforachange38 0]

I was sleeved smack dab in the middle of the summer term. I missed some the first week, but was able to catch up and finish all of my work. I explained to my prof. that I had surgery and she was understanding and gave me an extension on one assignment, but I was able to finish it on time anyway. Good luck with whatever you decide and good luck with your surgery.

[Marie from Michigan 11]

I also work at a University and agree that you need to contact your Instructors right away. All have differing attendance policies. I was out of work for 3 weeks and I don't know of ANY instructor here who would excuse three weeks not coming to class. In addition, for the first 5 weeks I was absolutely exhausted. I had all I could do to stay at work until 5pm each day and then I came home and crashed. I can't imagine taking a class at that same time, even an online class.

I had done a lot of research prior to surgery and thought I was prepared. The two things I seriously underestimated was the exhaustion and how much work/time/energy it took to eat and drink the first several weeks.

However, your mileage may vary!

All the best to you in whatever you decide.

Marie

[wishes 125]

Well, I started classes this last Monday and I am taking Physics and Calculus. I will be having surgery September 1st. I don't work at the moment, so that is why I think I can have surgery during the semester. If you are just starting Chem and Bio, and you haven't taken any other sequences I say take a part-time semester and hold off on those too. They are pretty rigorous especially with the labs, but if you have taken the first sequences (as Chem major) I really do not recommend breaking the sequences.

[dramagirl28 22]

I agree with everyone that you should talk to your professors. Is it possible for you to just take one class? Those are pretty heavy subjects to try to get through while dealing with everything else, but if you have the drive I think you can probably keep up. Make sure to keep up with the reading while you're out.

My classes started today and I'm getting sleeved tomorrow (eek!) but my classes are online so I'm really crossing my fingers that I'll have the energy (and the motivation) to work on it at home. I work full time as well and will be out for two weeks. I'm hoping to get as much done as possible.

Good luck to you!

[Neoteric Verve 65]

To say my plate is full is a gross understatement. Like I mentioned, I work 36-48hrs weekly, I have a rather tumultuous relationship with my in-laws, my wife and I are at odds over various topics and I am trying to get the first step towards graduate school. My goal is to get into medical research. I'm trying to get the "sequence" started. 1 year of Biology, 1 of General Chemistry, 1 of Organic Chemistry, A year of General Physics, One semester of Biochemistry and a semester of Calculus.

Yes, at my age (36) I am getting ready to go to medical school and hopefully become a research physician in biomedical endocrinology. Thank you, Robert K Jarvik, MD!! Between you, my ADHD & OCD I have what my psychologist and I have coined "Linear Spatial Parity". And don't even say I'm too old. Dreams never go away, they nag you more than a kids wanting McDonald's.

Well, I have just begun the process. This fall was to be the first steps. General Biology 1 & General Chemistry 1. Can I sacrifice a semester? In the grand scheme of things, yes. I didn't want to but my health is of paramount importance. I think it would be odd to do endocrine-related research with cardiomyopathy and liver cirrhosis. If I don't fix my body that's where I'm headed. Sound body=Sound mind, right?

I hope sincerely that I have put my priorities in good order. Health, Family, Educational pursuits. It all begins with great health, for without it I can't adequately do the other things. Thanks everyone for your insight and perspectives.

[Amanda131 214]

If you're just starting then I would definitely postpone a semester. This surgery is exhausting in the beginning. It is also very mentally taxing as you come to terms with food demons and adjust to a new lifestyle. Your life changes drastically and it's possible your dreams and goals may shift as well.

I was in a certification program to become a high school principal when I was sleeved. It was online and I fell far behind due to the exhaustion that comes with VSG. Fast forward a few months and the awesome confidence that comes with getting control of your weight convinced me to apply for a way high up curriculum job. It wasn't a path I'd ever thought I would go pre-surgery. Lo and behold, I got the job. Moral of the story: If you aren't invested in the program yet, hold off. It's impossible to say how you will handle surgery or what you will want out of life come January. Best of luck!

Amanda

[wishes 125]

I really do understand where you are coming from, and you are so right. Your health needs to come first. Medical school is a very tough environment, and it makes even the strongest individuals break down. You need to have every advantage you can get before and during your venture. I wish you the best in your decision!

[Ren<3 11]

I honestly feel like you should take the semester off, im doing the same.Which biology class are you taking? I recently took human anatomy let me tell you it was veryyyy stressful not easy, im sure you know whatever classes you take your going to be obligated to devote several hours into studying.That's alot of stress just focus on your surgery && returning back to work when your up to it.

[Heatherr 149]

Any update? I'm back in school full time (Math/science major) at 37yo. I can honestly tell you that I don't think it's possible. I hope you postponed classes. I don't have a full time job outside of home, but I have 5 kids. Between taking 5 classes, caring for hte kids, homework, carpooling and all of their activities, plus trying to keep the house relatively clean and feed them something resembling healthy, I am going straight out from 6am until 9pm when I crash from exhaustion. I had to drink coffee to stay up until midnight last night to finish homework. There are just not enough hours in the day and I find I don't always have time to make sure I eat and drink enough. That is a full time job in the beginning on it's own. I cannot fathom dealing with working 48 hours a week on top of it all. There just are not enough hours in the day and I couldn't last more than 6 hours without needing a nap for the 1st 2 weeks post op.

[LindaS 316]

Heather, I feel your pain! I'm the mom of four, and in 2006, I was leaving the house at 7 a.m. and getting home around 10 p.m. most days. I was in college, working, and had all of the kid activities. It was when I gained a lot of weight. My masters degree was worth it in the end, but it has made me hesitant to go back for my Phd.