teaching

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ali01
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:26 pm

teaching

#1 Post by ali01 »

hello, i am three weeks post op from my lower jaw surgery and chin! I am a uni student studying to become a primary school teacher and in a few weeks time i will be required to teach at a school! I cant open my mouth very wide yet, so i was wondering when might i be able to 'teach' without having problems? I definitely want to be able to open my mouth and not get tired especially since i am being graded!! Should i condider defering the course to next year??

Is there anyone who is further post op give me some idea? Thank you so much!!

chrisk
Posts: 281
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 4:21 am
Location: Perth Western Australia

#2 Post by chrisk »

Hi ali01,

I had upper and lower jaw surgery and genioplasty 2 1/2 years ago and was teaching 1 day per week at the time (plus relief teaching). I had 4 weeks off work and went back to work 1 day per week after that. I had my surgery about 3 weeks into the term and went back to work in week 8, working 1 day in week 8, 2 days in week 9 and 2 days in week 10. We then had 2 weeks of school holidays. I didn't really feel up to teaching properly until after those school holidays since I found it very tiring on my jaw and I lacked the voice projection that I needed with my very lively pre-primary class.

Everyone's recovery differs, and this is only my personal experience, but I wasn't really up to teaching full-time until about 9 weeks post-op. How many weeks post-op will you be when you start your prac? You may find that within another couple of weeks you will be fine to teach as your surgery is lower whereas I had upper jaw surgery with a cant levelled, lower jaw surgery and a genioplasty. I'm in my 40's and also had all the 'mum' things to do outside of school, where if you are younger you may find you bounce back quicker.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

ali01
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:26 pm

#3 Post by ali01 »

Hi Chrisk,

Thank you so much for your advice. It's very helpful, and great to hear from someone who's had the experience. I will be 8 weeks post op when i will start my prac placement, about the same time as when you returned to full time teaching. I decided to go ahead with prac *fingers crossed*

Thanks again :D

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