Any Sleevers In College? I Need Some Advice...

[Tia Noel 56]

I was wondering if the surgery interfered with regular college life like walking back and forth to classes, carrying books, etc. I'll be getting the surgery over my winter break in December, around the 15th, and I don't go back to school until mid January so I will have around 2 solid weeks to rest. Will I be okay to go back to school?

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Well, more info - are you in the dorms? How far is "walking"?

Plan ahead, and get a tote-thingy with wheels. get a schedule where your classes are scheduled far enough out that your eating wont interfere, and vice-versa.

[boots321 42]

Walking will be great for you! I agree with Pooky....get a tote with wheels for your computer and books. I had a 10 pound weight restriction for several weeks after surgery. You should be fine! Don't forget to carry your water bottle with you EVERYWHERE!!!

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I went back to school a couple years ago. I just got my Associates this past semester at the community college and am starting at the university in the fall. Luckily, I'm not taking classes this summer, so it was the perfect time for me to do the surgery & get healthier before fall classes, especially since I'll be walking a lot more at the university than I was a the community college!

Anyway, I honestly think you'll be okay. However, don't be afraid to take it slowly! Maybe see if they have some kind of medical exception you can be on that makes it okay if you're a few minutes late to class - or spread out your classes a little more so you don't have to rush from one to the other. Quite honestly, the first 3-4 weeks are the roughest to get through after surgery. Some people bounce back quickly & some take longer. I was at about 1/2 my "normal" speed until week 3 even though I could gradually be more active than before. Those first few weeks you're going to be extremely tired also as your body tries to deal with major surgery and with the low calories you'll be consuming. I often took 2 naps and went to bed early at the beginning 2-3 weeks. Now I'm 5 weeks out & I'm feeling great & am just starting to be able to only do one nap or no naps. I am almost 37 years old & have a family too & I don't know how that compares to younger college students, although I will say that my bariatric coordinator at the hospital said that he has seen younger women without kids have more issues with pain after surgery than women who have had children & are a little older. That being said, it really is different for everyone. Just listen to your body and don't overdo it. I would really look into a medical stipulation or spread your classes out if you can though.

[Tia Noel 56]

Well' date=' more info - are you in the dorms? How far is "walking"?

Plan ahead, and get a tote-thingy with wheels. get a schedule where your classes are scheduled far enough out that your eating wont interfere, and vice-versa.[/quote']

Yes I'm in the dorms. My dorm is kinda in the middle of campus (Radford University) so all of my classes are about 5-7 away from my dorm, so I guess a block or 2? I have my schedule and I have at least 30 minutes in between all of my classes. Thank you for the tip on the rolling bag thingy. I didn't even think of that.

[Tia Noel 56]

Walking will be great for you! I agree with Pooky....get a tote with wheels for your computer and books. I had a 10 pound weight restriction for several weeks after surgery. You should be fine! Don't forget to carry your Water bottle with you EVERYWHERE!!!

Thank you for the idea!

[Tia Noel 56]

I went back to school a couple years ago. I just got my Associates this past semester at the community college and am starting at the university in the fall. Luckily' date=' I'm not taking classes this summer, so it was the perfect time for me to do the surgery & get healthier before fall classes, especially since I'll be walking a lot more at the university than I was a the community college!

Anyway, I honestly think you'll be okay. However, don't be afraid to take it slowly! Maybe see if they have some kind of medical exception you can be on that makes it okay if you're a few minutes late to class - or spread out your classes a little more so you don't have to rush from one to the other. Quite honestly, the first 3-4 weeks are the roughest to get through after surgery. Some people bounce back quickly & some take longer. I was at about 1/2 my "normal" speed until week 3 even though I could gradually be more active than before. Those first few weeks you're going to be extremely tired also as your body tries to deal with major surgery and with the low calories you'll be consuming. I often took 2 naps and went to bed early at the beginning 2-3 weeks. Now I'm 5 weeks out & I'm feeling great & am just starting to be able to only do one nap or no naps. I am almost 37 years old & have a family too & I don't know how that compares to younger college students, although I will say that my bariatric coordinator at the hospital said that he has seen younger women without kids have more issues with pain after surgery than women who have had children & are a little older. That being said, it really is different for everyone. Just listen to your body and don't overdo it. I would really look into a medical stipulation or spread your classes out if you can though.[/quote']

Thank you so much for the idea! My school is really good understanding different needs. I was even excused from my Midterm exams for a weeks because a had a biopsy. And about the whole younger women have it worse kind of scares me, but I feel better now that everyone thinks I will be fine. Thanks again!

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I have my schedule and I have at least 30 minutes in between all of my classes.

You should definitely be fine then!! I only have 10-15 minutes between classes & that's hard sometimes depending on where the buildings are!

[chitowngirl 885]

The biggest challenge I had was carrying my books.

[minaleigh 95]

I had mine over Thanksgiving break last year. I was definitely not up for it though. I had to walk pretty far carrying a heavy computer bag and I had to stop and rest two or three times walking to class since I was so exhausted. Never even had to do that when I was heavy! Thing is though, I was very sick and actually had to be readmitted to the hospital twice because of complications. I had a lot slower recovery than most.

If your school is anything like mine, it sounds like you'll have 3-4 weeks to rest, which should be fine. I would still recommend what others suggested: Plan ahead and use a roller backpack for a little bit until you get your stamina back.

[sabstar22 25]

yea I will be pushing it, but I do not have much choice unless I want to wait over a year, which for selfish reasons I do not want to wait, I will be sleeved on Aug 13(my sleeve sister aug 14) and we each have about 9 days after surgery till we start classes and clinicals, she is in school for nursing and I am in school for radiology. My thoughts are I am nervous but my faith in God is stronger and if something goes wrong then it would go wrong with or without the surgery.