Surgery before PT school

[redtegu]

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Hello,

I may have to have a major surgery before I start PT school in the Fall. It is a laparotomy, which requires 4-7 weeks to recover. It was completely unexpected and I had a small procedure last week which is when the surgeon determined I need the further surgery.

I wonder if anyone out there has had surgery before beginning PT school? I don't know how it will impact my ability to learn/practice exercises in lab. I am not worried about the lecture part, just about getting physical that 1st semester.

Doctor says it should be fine but I still wanted the opinions of people already in PT school...just to know how "physical" we will get that 1st semester...

😕 I don't want to jeopardize myself in the first semester since it will already be so intense.

Thank you.

P.S. It's TWU Houston for those that can give more specific advice.

 

[NewDPT31]

get it done before school starts. Trust me. Once you get to pt school, you need to focus. Also, you need to be healthy for clinicals. And then your first job when you can't take time off early without PTO.

 

[Bones26]

First semester at TWU is a lot of lecture with a Basic Skills lab (transfers, ROM, assistive devices, bed mobility, etc) and Anatomy lab (dissection twice a week for 4 hours). Not very physically demanding at all. This summer is probably the ideal time to have surgery at least until you're out in the "real world". You should be fine.