recovery question...

I am still in the early stages of collecting information and I believe the DS surgery would be the best surgery for me.

I am nearly 300 and 5'4.  I have struggled since a child, I was able to maintain a normal weight in my teens (although I dieted and went up and down by a couple of sizes).  I remember trying to stay thin by only eating a bagel with cream cheese for lunch everyday (skipped breakfast).    I was pretty and well liked but since I gained the weight I am treated so differently by most everyone including family.   Most people look through me now and although I do not miss being ogled...I miss being treated like a person.

For this reason I do not want to tell anyone (except husband)that I will be having WLS.  I do not want people I love judging or discussing or debating my decision.  It is personal to me and I do not want to be asked a ton of questions regarding the matter. 

The only thing I worry about is I will need help with my children.  They are eight, three and 7 months.  My husband can get a week max off of a work to help me but that is it.  Will that be enough time for recovery.  Will I be able to take care of my 7 month old after a week?  I am scared.

I would be having an open surgery, I do not have any surgeons in network near me that does Lap.  How does it compare to a c-section surgery?

I do not have any close friends near me that could help. 

I go on Tues. to meet with the surgeon and will be asking these questions but I thought I would ask here too!

My emotions are all over the place right now... so excited and cannot wait .  Then I get sooo scared I want to throw up and not do it.   I am trying to read the forums to get an idea on recovery but with three kids I am having a hard time getting  on the computer.

Thanks for any advice!  I sooo appreciate it.

Sorry so long!

I know exactly how you are feeling, I went through the same emotions. People, even family treat heavier people different, that is just how our society is, we can't really change that. What you can do is make your decision to make a change for yourself. I made the decision to have the DS switch. I am not going to lie to you the recovery is tough a lot tougher than a c section. you are definitely going to need your hubby around for a couple of weeks. I will tell you that is is so worth it. I am down 105 pounds and I feel better. Best decision ever. I hope things work out for you. 
                                               


      -Rosie

Thanks Fosie,

I was hoping it would not be worse than a c-section.  I really do not want to ask family for help.  Darn. 
I really want to do this... I just have to find a way:(

 do you have a close friend? maybe someone on your husbands side that could help you out after surgery? i will be honest, in my case, it is deff. worse than i c-section, and i had 2 c-sections 11 1/2 months apart and the pain from that was better than the pain i went through for a week after surgery. but everyone is different.

I'm going to say you will not be able to take care of your infant a week out.  There are weight restrictions after surgery, especially open, so lifting your baby may be an issue.  You may be able to do some light, very light, housework, but I will be 3 weeks out tomorrow and I am just starting to be able to do light things like folding laundry, picking up things off of the floor (although bending over still hurts a bit).  You really need to baby yourself for the first few weeks.  What I did was stay at my parents house for a week after my DS so my mom could help me out and then I came home and my husband is working from home last week and this week.  Can you talk to your parents?

Thanks everyone...

It sounds like I am going to need help.   I wish I could could count on my family but unfortunately cannot.  

You definitely won't be able to lift your 7 month old for a few weeks.  I had the lap procedure two weeks ago tomorrow and I could not/would not lift a baby.    Could you put the baby in day care for a couple of weeks?  It will be an intense time for your hubby but at least you could rest during the day?

Hi,

Why would it be an open procedure? I had a revision from RNY -> DS so it had to be open but if this is your first surgery they are almost all done laparoscopically. You would still need help with the 7 month old but the recovery is much easier.

Just wondering. Best of luck with your journey.

Terri

In my state the two vetted Drs only perform open:(

I am starting to think maybe I should just get the sleeve by Lap and then the recovery would be easier.  Though it would not be my first choice.