post-op opinions needed please........

I am wanting to start a new class the 21st of this month. my surgery is scheduled for feb24th. I can only miss one maybe two classes to get my credit hours. The class is only one day a week. I know everyone heals different after surgery, but what do you think? I'm a pretty tough cookie most of the time. If I have surgery on tuesday....miss class wednesday...by the next wednesday, I think I should be fine to sit in class for 3 hours after Lap RNY. That is if everything goes as planned. Thanks a bunch Sarah

If all goes well you should be able, but you have to make sure you are off pain medication and able to drive. Talk to your teacher and asked if you can tape record it just in case you can not sit the whole time and incase you are not all there too.lol Everyone is different you are correct. I drove my second week but we know I am not normal.lol I think you can do it, make sure to have your water.. And walk during your breaks. What about meeting soon? My email has been down and up lately, your son's picture was so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doughnut...Let me know...

Sarah: If you do sign up for the class, speak to the teacher right away. Explain you're having surgery. I know about the attendance requirements at Wake Tech - its Wake Tech isn't it - I even taught there for awhile. Those requirements are for people who just might want to skip class. Medical necessity is something else. If you can prove you made up the work, etc. I believe they will work with you, particularly if you can prove you were hospitalized and recovering from surgery. And don't forget about what happened to me - two weeks in the hospital. Complications are a risk. I figure I've eaten up Dr. Malik's quota for complications so you're probably due for smooth sailing! Christine

I would tend to agree with your and Ann's comments, Christine. So long as you do the work and medical necessity is what is keeping you out, you will have documentation from the surgeon that you are out for medical reasons for as long as you need to be out. It would be good, given that you know your surgery date coming up, to let the instructor know when you plan to be out with the surgery and make advance arrangements for makeup. A few suggestions would be to get a classmate to give you notes or leave a tape recorder with someone to record the class lecture so it can be heard and understood by you later, just as if you had been there. I did this before when I had to be out with medical leave. But good communication is everything, and they appreciate no unnecessary surprises. If it turns out that there are complications, keep your instructor's number handy to call to let them know if it happens. With kindest regards, Donna Earley http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_WLS_Information_and_Support/join

First of all Barbara, congratulations on your surgery date. I think that you should tell the R.S. presidency as well as your compasionate service leader in your ward. You don't need to tell them what the surgery is, you just need to be vague and tell them you are having a really personal surgery and your DH may appreciate a meal or two brought in while you are recouperating. They may also need to fill in for you while your out. I would just emphasize that this is of a personal nature and don't go into any more detail than that. Good luck. This is exciting. Let us know how you're doing. Melody P.S. Do you have an angel yet? If you e-mail me your home phone number I'll call and check up on you.

Hi Barbara, Congradulations on getting your surgery date. Sounds like youare really looking forward to the women's conference too. I think you should tell you RS pres./other counselor. Maybe you could tell them that you are having abdominal surgery. I don't want to discourage you in any way what so ever, but......I told the YW pres.(I was her counselor at the time) I didn't want a whole lot of people to know but.....I was also very excited that I was having the surgery. I was very comfortable with my decision, and I knew that all it would take was just one person who wanted to gossip. I asked my husband to tell the bishop and our home teacher. However.......I had a few complications with my open RNY. The RS pres. found out from the YW pres. and an announcement was made in RS and Sac mtg. requesting prayers in my behalf. I was very glad that the people in leadership knew about my situation right away. I got hospital visits and calls from well wishers. If somebody "trys" to tell you about so and so's cousin's uncles mother who died from the surgery...just tell them that you are sorry but, if you don't have anything uplifting to say to me...please keep it to yourself. I know some people just tell their co-workers etc. that they are having abdominal surgery..and you are!! Hugs and smiles Ginger from Arizona

Congragulations on your surgery date Barbara! Thats great. When I had my surgery I shared it with my close friends in the church. They were very loving and supportive. They brought meals in for my husband and son and they even came in and cleaned my house one day which I was so grateful for. My house wasn't that bad but it was the love and support that I received from them that meant so much.Little by little I have shared with others about my surgery. I have been a very slow loser but I have many who ask me how I'm doing, they compliment me when they see me on how good I look and that means a lot to me. I initially wasn't going to tell anyone but my ward has been a great support to me so I have no regrets. This has to be a personal decision for you and I wish you well!!!

What a fun event you have planned. I think you should incorporate that back pack experience somewhere into your event. Maybe the decorations could be a 5lb bag of potatos, a 10 lb bag of onions, a 15 lb bag of beans, a 20 lb bag of seeds, a 25 lb bag of sugar, etc, etc, etc. so people can visualize just what the amount of weight they have lost looks like. I wish I could be in AZ for the event. Sounds fun. Good luck with it. Melody

Debra, Thanks for sharing. You are so lucky to have your surgeon at your group. My surgeon is 3 hours away. Keep up the great job. See you lighter. Joanne

Oh my gosh Melody! That is an amazing idea! .....I'm organzing an enormous event in September for a hospital's Graduate Celebraton. I think this would be PERFECT!!! Want to be on my design team???? AZ is still a little hot in September but the hotel rates are great! and...my personal accomodations for out of town guests is FREE!!!! Thanks for the very creative ideas! Joyce in az