Why is there a lifting restriction post-op?

I had to take my dog (honestly, he's like my baby, really!) to the emergency vet early this morning. His neck is messed up so he has to be confined (no walking, very little moving) for a full week and I have to carry him to a potty spot. Then he has one more week of no stairs, no running, no jumping, etc. Well as a single gal I really have no one to help most of the day. My friend will come over after work each day if I need. I am actually lucky that I still have two weeks off so we'll be recovering together. BUT I will have to carry him about 20 feet a couple times each day. I already carried him down (and up) a flight of stairs to get him to the car (which I'm not supposed to be driving) this morning. He's a 17-pound Pekingese. Why is there a weight restriction on lifting? Is it just to prevent a hernia? Could I have already screwed that up by carrying him this morning? I'm not even sure it matters because I'd give him a kidney if he needed it....and of course if a dog could use a human one.

Thoughts? Do I need to go make friends with my neighbors (only met in passing) so I can ask them to help? I hate this!

Well, it's always a good idea to make friends with neighbors...you never know when it will come in handy...like now :-)

The lifting restriction is to prevent hernias and pulling to incisions.  You really need to be careful.  You really don't want a hernia.  I understand being willing to give everything for a pet...I have two babies of my own (one 6 lb and one 13 lb shi-poms).  However, if you end up in the hospital getting another surgery, how are you going to help your baby?  Remember, you have to take care of yourself so that you are there to take care of others.

I got a hernia 4 months after my surgery, from lifting.  Just be careful!

You use your abdominal muscles to lift, and you just had a very huge abdominal surgery.

The lifting restriction is to avoid ripping up your incisions, even if you had it done lap, there's  a lot of healing going on in the abdominal region. 

Take it easy, and try to get help in lifting your precious puppy!

Thank you all. This is what I was thinking but wanted to verify. I wasn't sure if there were reasons I didn't know about. I don't think he goes potty as much as I thought. Yay! He hasn't been interested in even moving today. So I'm hoping my friend coming by after work will do the trick. Goodness knows, since surgery, I look like a hobo and would scare the bejeebas out of my neighbors if I went over to meet them. But I will speak with them next time I'm resting on the porch....and less hobo-ish.

Thank you all again!