What do I tell my 8 year old?
One of my good friends is going to keep my 8 year old daughter for a couple nights while I have my surgery. I don't want to tell her for a while what I had done. First of all, she'll panic. She's very emotional and I definitely will not tell her before hand. She heard the doctor mention surgery for my carpal tunnel and she couldn't sleep. I also don't want to go into details after the fact until she's older, but there's no hiding post-op eating habits, incisions, etc. If I thought my daughter could handle it and keep it to herself, I would have no problem. I'm an extremely private person and do not want the world to know until I'm ready to tell them. Also, I DO NOT want my Ex knowing. It's none of his business. However, I will not flat out lie to her and say it's something else. I'm between a rock and a hard place. Have any of you dealt with this before?
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I'm a big fan of telling kids the truth but making it age appropriate. I have experience here, I had to tell mine that their dad died when they were 3 and 7. You can just say you're going to the doctor to get your stomach fixed and afterwards you won't be able to eat the same for a while. After a few months she will be so used to your new way of eating that it will be normal for her too. Good luck! xoxo
Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;
Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)
M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4
5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)
You know your daughter best, and will "know" what words to use. DO let her know what to expect the first few weeks post op, so she won't worry when you are in pain, not able to eat "normally", are getting around slowly, etc. Otherwise she might think you are "really sick".
I, on the other hand, OVER estimated my spawn. They were 9 and 12, back when I had my RNY. It took me 5 months to get from seminar to OR, and I about burned EVERYBODY's ears off. The morning of surgery my "precious" 9 year old stood in front of his school cafeteria MICROPHONE, to lead morning announcements, etc. He asked for prayers, for his Mama, "Who is having surgery on her STOMACH and TESTICLES, today, so she can be medium size"..
Choose your words carefully, Mama
RNY 4-22-02...
LW: 6lb,10 oz SW:340lb GW:170lb CW:155
We Can Do Hard Things
on 5/4/15 8:22 am - WI
I always knew you had balls, Gina!
HW 270 SW 236 GW 160 CW 145 (15 pounds below goal!)
VBG Aug. 7, 1986, Revised to RNY Nov. 18, 2010
That's the best! 
