How much school will I miss?

[hannahmacie 0]

I am a 17 year old getting the sleeve. My surgery is going to be scheduled sometime during the school year. I was just wondering how much school I'll miss?

[nvsleever70 6]

Everyone is different but for me it was three weeks off work so I would expect two- three weeks. Good luck!

[YNVTish 1]

Be prepared to be out those 4 to 6 weeks. If school is important look into online classes. You will be up and alert but when it's time to sit down and rest youre gonna need to listen to your body.

I took online classes and between my periodic walks, struggling to drink Water and figuring out what to eat ... I sat in the bed with my laptop and did my assignments

[sunnyreader 29]

I don't think you need to miss 4 to 6 weeks. I am 3.5 weeks out and go to the gym every other day. I spend the rest of my day running after 2 small kids and I am always doing something-gardening/shopping/etc. I think one week is more than enough to be out of school, MAYBE 1.5 weeks-most of the day is spent sitting down.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I don't know but some things to think about and plan for are:

You may experience some brain fog after surgery due to the anesthesia and change in diet. It's hard to say how long it lasts but I think I noticed it at least a couple of weeks after surgery.

You won't be able to lift much weight until your incisions are healed so you won't be able to carry a very heavy book bag for about four weeks.

You will need to be sipping Water and Protein supplements/liquids just about all the time while you are on the liquid phases so will need to have them on hand with you at all times.

People heal at different rates. Some people on here have experienced complications and pain that lasted weeks, others were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to take on the world the next day. Most are somewhere in between. You won't know which you are until after you have experienced it.

I don't know if you are in high school or college, but you will definitely want to talk to someone at your school about possible accommodations if you do choose to go back sooner than later.

Best of luck with your surgery!

[thatonesleevedgirl 21]

How exciting! I am 19 just had the sleeve 7/13/15. We are young so we bounce back a lot faster than the older folks on here. (No offense) I'm a little over a week post op and I'm going out with friends, movies , shopping doing everyday activities so I'd say once you're feeling less pain you should be fine to go back to school so if shoot for 2 weeks TOPS!

They make you walk immediately which speeds up healing and prevents blood clots so you'll be ok after a week I guarantee!

[BarrySue 602]

Honestly, I have had some complications with my surgery (bad fall, incisions tearing a little), and I still would have been okay to start school after a week. Work is another story entirely, but for school I would have been fine. I'd definitely email your professors NOW before classes start, because if for some reason you need a little extra time, you want to make sure a particular professor won't be a jerk about it. Don't tell them you are getting WLS, just mention that you will likely be having abdominal surgery.

[hannahmacie 0]

What about work? I work part time at McDonald's how much will I be missing there?

[thatonesleevedgirl 21]

@@BarrySue why not say wls?

[BarrySue 602]

@@BarrySue why not say wls?

Unless you have a relationship with that professor and know how they will react, I would be vague in order to avoid fallout. A lot of people judge WLS and consider it both "elective" and "the easy way out." There is a big perception of obese patients as being lazy, unmotivated lumps, and when someone is holding your future in their hands, you don't want to give them any ammunition or set yourself up for failure. Some professors grade heavily based on attendance/participation, and would be more willing to permit you time off if: 1) they think it is medically necessary, and 2) you tell them in advance, preferably before classes start.

You could also check the syllabus, which is always available before the drop date, to ensure you will be okay. One person I know had a professor who had a test every. single. friday. It didn't matter what the reason was, because no professor is obligated to give you time off for any reason. She missed two Fridays, and ended up with a "C" in a very important science class she needed to get into a competitive program. Another girl I know GAVE BIRTH and still lost points for still being in attendance.

Ultimately, it is up to YOU to make arrangements beforehand and with plenty of notice, and drop the class if it will negatively impact your grade.

[samelton68 64]

Everyone is different I scheduled a week off work ended up off for 2 months, plan for the unexpected

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

@@BarrySue why not say wls?

Unless you have a relationship with that professor and know how they will react, I would be vague in order to avoid fallout. A lot of people judge WLS and consider it both "elective" and "the easy way out." There is a big perception of obese patients as being lazy, unmotivated lumps, and when someone is holding your future in their hands, you don't want to give them any ammunition or set yourself up for failure. Some professors grade heavily based on attendance/participation, and would be more willing to permit you time off if: 1) they think it is medically necessary, and 2) you tell them in advance, preferably before classes start.

You could also check the syllabus, which is always available before the drop date, to ensure you will be okay. One person I know had a professor who had a test every. single. friday. It didn't matter what the reason was, because no professor is obligated to give you time off for any reason. She missed two Fridays, and ended up with a "C" in a very important science class she needed to get into a competitive program. Another girl I know GAVE BIRTH and still lost points for still being in attendance.

Ultimately, it is up to YOU to make arrangements beforehand and with plenty of notice, and drop the class if it will negatively impact your grade.

It is still not clear whether the OP is in college or high school.

For college students, if you are having surgery or have any medical issues, the best thing to do is go through your disability services office (which is usually a function of the Dean of Students). Most colleges and universities have policies related to this. You should not have to navigate this by yourself.

If you are in high school then you and your parents should talk to the school administration -- they should also have policies that will help.