Surgery Scheduling Question

This is probably going to sound silly... but I need some advice!

I started my 6 month certification process on 9/22 so technically... if everything gets squared away as it should, I would be eligible for VSG Surgery at the end of March. I wish that I had gotten started just a little bit sooner so that I could have done the surgery during my spring break... but I didn't. 

I have never had this kind of surgery before, so I am not sure what to expect afterwards... I have two boys (13 and 14) who will need to go to school each day and be picked up from school, etc. They will need to eat, have clean clothes... blah, blah, the usual. My husband's schedule doesn't always allow for him to help  take kids to school or pick them up. Also, I work for the local school district as the Behavior Specialist so I spend my day writing reports, observing kids or teachers in classes, sitting in meetings, talking to kids about behavior, or talking with teachers about interventions... so not an overly physical job at all.

So, the question is... how long will I have to be out of commission? How long will I need someone to be there to help me do stuff at home? When could I go back to work? I want to have the surgery ASAP when I am certified... but really would not want to take more than two weeks off from work... is that possible? Or will I be forced to wait until June when school is out?

I know what I WANT to do... but what am I really in for?

Thanks!!!

Are you kids able to take the bus?  Or carpool with friends?

At 13 and 14 they're certainly old enough to learn how to do laundry and cook, at least simple meals.  And with six months you'll have plenty of time to teach them these tasks.  

Most people are off work for about 2 weeks.  You won't be able to drive until you're off pain killers for a few days.  We tend to have lifting restrictions for the first 6 weeks. 

We live out of the district... meaning, they go to school there because I work there, so no school bus is available for us and no one lives out that way that attends school with my boys. My mother could be there for a few days. She could take them, I guess. My boys can certainly cook, etc. for themselves... but NO ONE does the dishes. LOL! I could totally see myself emerging from the bedroom to see a city of dishes waiting on me! HA!

Well, you could teach them how to do the dishes and give them a schedule so that they could take turns to ensure that those things were taken care of.  Your family will need to step up to the plate for the first few weeks after your surgery.  Which I'm sure they'll understand the need for!

Enlist anyone you can to take your boys. Maybe your husband can work half days if no one can ferry them.

It is certainly high time your boys learned to do the dishes-they are old enough to help with washing up. It will be good practice for their future as well. That sounds harsh, but I would have kicked someone's ass if I came home from surgery to find a mess. I specifically told my family what would be expected of them while I was recovering, and that included not wrecking the house while I was in the hospital.

I took three weeks off work but went back at two and a half. I was bored and had an office job. I did tire a bit more easily.

good luck

Yes, the boys can do a lot more than I generally let them do. For me, it's a control issue I suppose. I like things to be done a certain way and it is easier to do it myself; however, it is times like these that I can stand back and let them load and unload the dishwasher.

I'm pretty sure my husband would wring a neck or two if he came home to find me doing dishes! LOL! Heads would roll! 

Let The 6 weeks for healing be the time for you pampering yourself. Chores are more numerous then you're recognizing. Not seeing to lightening your load can result in a hernia. Don't mess up. Don't push yourself. Changing sheets... let it go, or realize the boys can do it, and dust and vacuum. The dishwasher loading can be reduced by using paper and plastic and big trash bags, and the boys can manage.  Keep detergents, and all things heavy, up high, so that you don't have to bend and lift. Don't have expectations for yourself. Your love of house and home will motivate you into doing too much - don't. Change your focus to healing and pampering.  Maybe schedule to have a cleaning lady for the end of the 6 weeks period, to get the catch-up done for/with you. Also, to help with setting up the house before surgery as you are busy planning. Plan for groceries. See what is in your area ~  Peapod, great. Walmart on-line is great for supplies and none refrigerated items - papers, juice, but the free delivery can take weeks. Plan and Pamper. It is a great opportunity for your boys to experience caring and responsibility, they'll have a great time working together. Should you get frustrated, stop and pamper. Congratulations and Good Luck.  J

Now recovery is a personal result, so mileage varies on this topic.  What kind of impression do you wish to give to your coworkers and superiors? 

Do you expect to return and resume duties as usual, or perhaps a modified scale of work? 

Even though you're not really doing strenuous work, you need to consider the fog of the anesthesia. 
Can you work half days?  I was extremely listless for a good 5-6 weeks and tired very easily.

If you would like to return to your full duties, then I highly recommend waiting until June.  It may take that long to get your approval and surgery scheduled anyway.

Also - don't underestimate your children's capability of caring for themselves and you, for that matter.  My son was 11 when I had my DS and he really impressed me with how he stepped up to help.  He was able to microwave items, boil water and heat things on the stove.  I was there to give direction and answer questions.  He even did the laundry for me.  He'd bring it down to me so I could help sort it.  He'd take it to the basement, run the washer and dryer, then carry them up for me to help fold, then he would put everything away.  This was really a springboard to his independence and did a lot of good for him as well as me.

As for help for yourself, I had someone close if I needed them, but I never did.  I moved slowly, but aside from hubs helping me out of bed, I was just fine on my own.

I suppose that waiting until June would be the better route... as much as I want it now, now, now! I figure I will just keep moving forward and tackle every item as it comes. I am a bit of a planner... so the waiting and unknown stuff drives me nuts.

I was too, and wanted to resume my regular duties, so I scheduled two weeks off...from Halloween until New Years.  It did my mind well knowing that I wasn't missing anything at all.