Mums of Young Ones?

Hello!

Newbie here, bear with me if I'm not posting this in the right spot...

i have my RNY surgery in approximately a month and I'm trying to get myself set up for what life will be like immediately postop.

I have twin babies who will be approximately 11 months at the time of my surgery. My husband can only take a week off work which he will do immediately postop, but then I'm on my own. Childcare and family helping is not an option for us.

inrealize I can't lift more than 10lbs for 6-8 weeks and I don't intend on bending this rule because I need a smooth healing process. That being said, with that age of babies, lots of lifting is usually required.

Has as anyone had WLS with young ones at home? How did you make it work, or would you suggest anything for my specific situation?

this is what we were thinking: set up two floor beds for naps in the living room so I don't have to lift them in and out of cribs or carry them downstairs to their bedroom; set up baby gates around the floor beds so no one rolls out of bed to play and separate the babies by gates so they don't wake each other; feed (bottles and snacks) directly from the floor so no lifting into and out of high chairs is required; bum changes on the ground so no lifting is required.

Is this his going to be possible??? I am determined but also looking for any suggestions to simplify life during this time.

Any parents out there able to give me some hope???

Elle

Hmmm, I don't have babies, so take this with a grain of salt. Some people require many weeks to heal, others of us are back to work in a week and feel we could have even gone back after 4 or 5 days. It all depends on age, health, comorbidities, mindset, maybe even genetics and other factors! I can tell you how it was for ME, but there will be plenty of people who say "I took 4 weeks off and couldn't imagine being home with babies after a week!". For me, I had surgery on Friday, and since it was laparoscopic, it only took about 1.5 hours. I did not have drains. I had small steri strips glued onto my 4 (or 5?) tiny incisions. I woke up in recovery and thanks to the anti-nausea patch I had on, I felt ok. I was up, walking and peeing in the bathroom within maybe an hour or two. They kept me overnight and then I was sent home around noon on Saturday.

I chilled on the couch Saturday through maybe Tuesday, and then Wednesday I walked to the grocery store with my mom and carried groceries home. I didn't feel pain in my abdominal area, though some people do from what I gather.

Friday I was out with friends, sipping my protein shake and enjoying being out of my house!

Monday, I was back at my desk job. I wanted naps in the afternoon that first week back at work, but I was fine for the most part.

I was 36 and 5'4" and 350 lbs day of surgery, with no comorbidities (yet!).

I like that you say you are determined. I say, don't let anyone convince you that you can't handle this. You can, even if it's tough the second and third week - and being healthy is the best thing you can do for your twin babies, your family, and yourself! Good luck!

I don't have babies anymore, but have raised them. Your plan sounds reasonable- I'd be concerned about all the bending and Reaching you will have to do still, even if at floor level. I went back to work after 3 weeks and had to clean out my office- bending and reaching was tough and I hurt every day. (But got through it). Your plan also works if everything goes ideally. You have no wiggle room for what ifs.

I'd hire a mother's helper-- maybe a teen looking to make some cash. I've done it many times.

My son was 11 months when I had mine, and I was looking after him, on my own 2 days after surgery. I didn't take any narcotics after surgery day and so was able to be responsible. He was like a little monkey so I would let him climb into his crib etc and just guide him. If he wanted a cuddle, it was done sitting down. Wholly possible if needs must

He's now 6ft 3 and 14 lol.

I didn't have a baby when I had my surgery -- my son was seven, but I still believe your plan is quite reasonable. I would wait for my husband to take his week off for when you return home -- even if it means that you have to go to the hospital/stay there alone -- that way you will have the maximum time of help at home with your twins.

I was home in 48 hours (and that was only because my surgery was done at the Cleveland Clinic in the winter -- during a snowstorm -- 2 hours away from my home) -- and I was cooking dinner on the third night. I was off all prescription painkillers --- which I think is extremely important if you are the primary caregiver and alone -- by the third day.

I was back at work, teaching at a large university and dragging a large rolling backpack full of texts around a campus at nine days.

The only part of your situation that is worrisome is that you really shouldn't lift over 10 lbs for quite a while. If you're certain you can avoid that --I see no issues with your plan.

My baby was 10.5 months and 18lbs when I had VSG. My husband was able to work from home for a week after I had surgery but then I was on my own. I was exhausted, uncomfortable, and had a hard time lifting my baby for more than just a few seconds until week 3 or 4....but I survived. I think your plan sounds doable but difficult and if you could find a way to get some more help you will really appreciate it!

My surgery is scheduled a week from today and when I had my last appointment with my doctor I asked him about this exact issue because I have a 9 month old at home. And my doctor said I don't have any lifting restrictions when I leave the hospital so I can lift my 20 lb baby with no problem. All doctors and all plans are different.

My son is 21 months, and I don't think there's any way I could have managed him at that age post-op. I felt like I'd been hit by a bus and was completely exhausted for at least 3 weeks post-op. I was super low-energy for at least another month after, and I would have had a very difficult time wrangling a baby.

Might it be possible to hire a "mother's helper" while you recover? Maybe a friend, coworker, or someone from church (if you attend) has a kid in middle school who'd be able to help out while you're around. Or you could check care.com to find someone. You would probably pay less than you would for a full-fledged sitter.