Taking time off for surgery.
Well, I saw my the Bariatric Surgeon yesterday
and was put on the list as a candidate for surgery.
Now I have to wait for approval from the insurance
company. My insurance is excellent about this type of
surgery so I really am not concerned with the approval.
As for the pre-op testing…that should be a breeze
as well since I had a physical just a week ago and
everything seemed to be in order with all my blood work and
what not.<br>My situation is this. I could have the
surgery if all goes as planned as late as December or as
early as August or September. So many who are scheduled
for surgery either change their mind for one reason
or another or the pre-op testing shows cause to
delay the surgery until the patients medical condition
is stable. So…I will be put on the list to take
the place for someone who cancels out.<br>My problem
is this. I am self employed as a Day Care provider
in my home. I don’t want to worry my clients that
they have to find another sitter for 6 weeks until I
know for sure when I will be having the surgery. If I
get bumped up to an earlier date, this might leave my
clients just 2 to 3 weeks to find a sub until I return.
<br>Another situation that I have faced so far is lack of
support. I have only told a number of people in my family
and they think I’m nuts. My clients are all very thin
and I fear that their reaction will be even worse. I
really don’t know if I should tell them what type of
surgery I am having as quite frankly…It’s none of their
business. On the other hand, 6 weeks is a long time to ask
for my clients to find another place for their
children. I might not get them back. I then lose my
income!<br>Anyone who also might be a Day Care provider or might
have some thoughts to my questions….feel free to
take a stab at this!!!<br>Thanks a bundle >^..^<
February 5th, 2004 at 9:33 pm
Hi there!<br>I want to congratulate you on your
progress towards your new life… you are right to keep
the surgery to yourself… until you are ready (if
ever) to share. It is a personal decision and does not
need to be shared with the world! As for your daycare
business… it is just that a business! So therefore, I
believe you and your doctor should decide on the date…
and stick with it! You do not NEED to be moved up,
unless it fits you! I would think most of the people you
are working with would realize ANY surgery you
normally need to have time to recuperate… and taking
care of children is HARD work! There is a lot of
bending, lifting, and straining! So for your safety and
the safety of their children I would hope they would
respect that! And ass for losing them… well if they go
somewhere else… who needs them! You will find more,
because we all know no mater WHERE you are in the
country, there is a shortage of good affordable day care!
So good luck, and I will be keeping you in my
prayers!<br>Cindy<br>OPEN RNY 8/2/99<br>preop 298<br>current 170
February 6th, 2004 at 3:50 am
Thank you Cindy!<br>Your advise was well taken
and I appreciate that you took the time to share it
with me. I wish that I were independently wealthy and
that my income wasn’t needed but it is and it will be
quite a hardship during the month that I’m off!
<br>Thanks so much,<br>Kitty
February 7th, 2004 at 11:54 am
YapYap, In my experience, the thin people have
been more supportive of me with my WLS than the
heavier people (including my family). I really doubt if
your clients will criticize your choice to have WLS,
except of course to the extent that it inconveniences
them. Is there any way you could find a substitute to
take your place while you are gone? If you provided a
sub for your clients, they would probably be more
likely to come right back to you when you are done
recovering. Good Luck! Lynn
February 7th, 2004 at 5:15 pm
Thank you for your advise! I’m in the process of
interviewing with some new families and I’m letting them know
up front that the surgery will be anytime between
September and December. My doc is so booked that he is
booking in to December and you might get an earlier date
if someone cancels. I’m not sure when my surgery
will be. Many of my clients have off during September
and I’ve been trying to get a date for the first week
in September. But, it will take a miracle. I have
offered to find a substitute for the other clients but to
them thats like picking their heart surgeon. They feel
that it’s their right to choose who will care for
their child and not mine. I agree, but I did offer.
I’ve been told by so many….that there are plenty of
people seeking good child care. On the other hand, there
are plenty of people who take advantage and don’t pay
a fair wage and to find the kind of families that
I’m working with now is rare. I have never
advertised. It’s strickly word of mouth and I only will take
4. I don’t believe in large numbers of children.
Therefore, I really want to keep the children that I have
and also depend on the income after surgery. Being
self employed, I don’t have paid vacation or sick
leave. Thanks for sharing your input with me!
February 9th, 2004 at 6:41 am
Yapyap~ I also run a daycare out of my home…I
had open-rny 2/21/2000. I hired my mother and mother
in law to come in and take care of the
daycare…they did for the week of surgery, and the week after.
I would have loved more time to "sleep and heal",
but the 2 wks was all I could do. All of my parents
were very pleased with how that all worked out, and
the kids call both of my "mothers" GRAMMA now!! I
understand the stress that can come with no pd vaca/sick
time!! This worked out ok for me. I did feel very tired
for the first month, I truly earned my sleep!! But
now, I feel like a million bucks!! I went from 237 to
162 (75lbs) in the 5 months since surgery, and went
from a 20/22 to a size 10/11. Things I can do changed
too….I can RUN! RIDE A BIKE WITHOUT HAVING THE SEAT
PERMANENTLY IMPLATED IN THE REAR-END! I CAN SWING ON THE
SWINGSET! AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON!! :0) Good luck on
your quest ~~ It all has been a God-send for me!!
Kelli
February 12th, 2004 at 8:07 pm
Hi my name is Vickie I am a Program Director for
a Surfgical Wt. Loss program. I am very excited
about your decision. Our Web Sit is
www.surgicalweightloss.com, our 800-278-1092. We are so busy at work taking
care of all of our patients having the surgery, it’s
easier to talk to us on the 800 number. We can help
answer your questions even if you go to another DR. We
are located in Lubbock Tex., but we fly you in, a
Limo picks you up at the airport, pay for your hotel
room etc. If you are interested or would like some
info mailed to you please call me on the 800 no. If
and when you do have the surgery, I would still like
to help with your support. We have many many
patients that have had the surgery that would be honored
to share their sucess stories. Good Luck, Hope to
hear from.<br><br>Sincerely, Vickie