Going Back to School After Surgery

Going Home

Hooray! This is the day you have been working toward, and it is a very exciting time. You should know that along with all the excitement you may also have some feelings of discouragement. You may feel very weak and tired. It might be hard to find a comfortable position. You may not have much of an appetite. If you do, watch what you eat. Your stomach will be sensitive. Remember to eat before you take your medicine. You may have itching around or inside the incisions. When you are finally able to take a full shower, you will feel like a new person.

When you get home from the hospital, have your room or the place you will be sleeping ready and waiting for you. Have a table next to you with things you like and might need such as a phone, something to drink, an MP3 player, a laptop or a CD player, and of course, the TV remote control!

Enjoy being home. You have worked extremely hard to get there. Feel good about all you have accomplished.

School Re-entry

Depending upon the time of your surgery, you may need to think about returning to school shortly after you get home from the hospital. It is very important to set up a time to meet with each of your teachers to go over your surgery. A school re-entry letter is provided upon request, ask your Child Life Specialist. Accommodations will also be reviewed so that everyone is made aware of the special needs you may have. No backpacks! You should not be carrying anything more than five pounds. You may also want to consider a gradual return to school starting with half days and working your way toward full days.

Make sure you share these helpful ideas with your teachers and school so that a plan is in place before your surgery.

Tips for Parents to Prepare for the Return to School

It is very important that you contact your child’s teachers and school before surgery to create a plan and make sure that everyone involved with your child has the same information and expectations.

  • Be sure all home schooling paperwork is signed before surgery.
  • Arrange to get assignments from your child’s teachers.
  • Arrange for your child to leave class five or 10 minutes early in order to get to the next class safely.
  • Arrange an excuse from physical education.
  • Request two sets of books, one for school and one for home.
  • Inform the school of your child’s absence and surgery prior to the surgery so adjustments can be made in the attendance policy.
  • Request access to elevators.
  • Consider a shortened school day when you child first returns to school and gradually work up to a full day.
  • Ask your Child Life Specialist for a school re-entry letter.
 
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