teachers - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Hippiewoman · 10-26-2008, 02:08 PM

are there any other teachers here? I'd like to hear your experiencs with WLS. I still have 2 more months on my pre-op diet and probably another month or 2after that to get insurance approval. But I am very excited to get this done.
I'm wondering if it was hard going back to work, or if you waited until summer to get the surgery done. I was going to wait, but I'm excited and ready now.
I'm also wondering how your students reacted to you, and how you handled telling them.
I work at a small high school, and I see the students all 4 years they are there, if not in my class, in the halls or other events.
Did you tell them you were doing this? did you wait for them to ask? Teenagers are just so judgemental, and even though I form some pretty close relationships with many of them, the thought of the whole school talking about me and my weight is a little overwhelming.
So what were your experiences and how did you deal with it?

fisher1000 · 10-26-2008, 03:20 PM

I had mine at the end of September...three weeks after school started. (I was a Middle School Teacher)

I told the kids I was having surgery, but wasn't specific about what kind of surgery it was, and I was out about 5 weeks. As they started to notice, I told individual students but didn't make a blanket announcement...over time...everyone knew...it wasn't too big of a deal.

-Mike

rivi23 · 10-26-2008, 07:40 PM

I teach middle school, and I had my surgery over spring break. I teach science and I made my students part of the process with me. I made protein smoothies 2 times a day at school, and after a while they were making them for me. My kids sent me flowers to my room, made the sweetest cards that I have ever seen (I still have them) and they were so proud of me. I don't work at the same school that I did work at when I had the surgery...however I saw a group of them at a play a coupld of weeks ago, and they ran up and HUGGEd me tight. I teach the most judgemental of judgemental of kids and they were wonderful. My kids that I teach now, they know too. (I pretty much tell everyone) And they are awesome too. I make it a teachable moment when it comes to my surgery. Kids are constantly picking on each other about "fat" and weight and I make it a point to talk about weight loss, and hard stuff. Life is hard for a 14 year old...I want to make sure that I can relate my experiences to them and hope they learn from it!

BabyNicole · 10-26-2008, 08:48 PM

I'm a teacher also (middle school and high school). I had my surgery June 23rd, which was a few days after school ended. I did it like this so I'd have the whole summer to recuperate. I'd recommend doing it in the summer. I told most of my coworkers I was getting surgery, and they were all supportive. I didn't tell any kids pre-op, though. When I came back in September they were all so shocked at how "skinny" I looked. I did tell some kids about my surgery. I wasn't embarrassed. But, I understand that telling students is not something everyone can do. If they ask how you lost weight, you can tell them that you eat a lot less than you used to. Hey, it's not a lie!

veroniquetalk · 10-27-2008, 06:07 AM

I had surgery during the summer. People that I worked with were used to seeing me yo-yo dieting. I would lose weight and then gain it all back. So, there weren't a lot of questions when I showed up in the fall smaller than I was in the spring. I worked in a middle school at the time and didn't tell the students or the staff. I am a pretty private person and figured that if I had had a hysterectomy I wouldn't be telling them that so why would this medical information be anyone else's business.

Hippiewoman · 10-28-2008, 07:19 PM

thank you for all of the responses!
rivi - I really admire you for being able to share so openly with your students, especially incorporating your wls into your lessons, that just amazes me.
I don't know how I'm going to feel about this, but it's good to hear the experiences you all have had.
I am a very private person as well, and I know that students aren't dumb, they will figure it out, and I think the way you all have been honest with them is the best way to go, even if it is telling them I am eating less.
My co-workers are a different story. I think since we are all pretty close, they'll probably know way in advance. I've told a couple already, but I'm being careful because I don't want to have to answer a bunch of questions yet, and I don't want anyone to try to talk me out of it. It's sort of like it isn't real until it happens and I don't want to jinx it!

Gina in NY · 10-28-2008, 07:23 PM

I scheduled surgery June 20th to avoid having to re-learn how to eat in the faculty room. I also didn't tell anyone until after a year out. I teach in a high school with not so friendly cliques here and there. Of course, now I wouldn't care at all what they thought, but I've changed a lot.

I thought it would be safer to do it in the summer in case I had complications.
But all was well.

BabyNicole · 10-28-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

I scheduled surgery June 20th to avoid having to re-learn how to eat in the faculty room. I also didn't tell anyone until after a year out. I teach in a high school with not so friendly cliques here and there. Of course, now I wouldn't care at all what they thought, but I've changed a lot.

I thought it would be safer to do it in the summer in case I had complications.
But all was well.

That stinks that you have judgmental people at your school.

I was so lucky that everyone has been so supportive. Now, what they say when I'm not there, who knows! LOL

Gina in NY · 10-28-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyNicole

That stinks that you have judgmental people at your school.

I was so lucky that everyone has been so supportive. Now, what they say when I'm not there, who knows! LOL

Eh - it was less about judgement and more about not needing to hear how someone knew someone who knew someone who DIED or gained ALL their weight back of whatever. There are also many people there who secretly want anyone trying something new to fail. And of course, 10% of the people are truly wonderful and wish me only the best - but they are secure, healthy individuals.

mrsreino · 02-12-2009, 12:55 PM

I teach at a high school and am scheduled for March 17, two weeks before our two week Spring break. I am figuring I will go back after break, which will give me four weeks. I am leaning towards telling my students because I have already told a number of colleagues, most of whom are very supportive. I know the kids will find out and I don't want them to think I am hiding something which might make them think I am ashamed.

This is just my opinion as I am one an open book kind of person. I am excited about the surgery and feel like I want to share.