Post op Recovery - Moms of small children

Well reading this, maybe you recover differently?

I had a c-section with my 9 lb baby -- and I was up the very same day and went home the day after. I wasn't totally back to normal, of course, but I was up and around pretty well in the first week, and off of pain killers within the first two days home. I was sore off and on over the next few weeks, but I was definitely not incapacitated at all.

I will say that my RNY was an easier recovery --largely because it was laparoscopic rather than 46 staples while nursing a newborn. In fact, I had a hernia repair a year ago -- and even that was a worse recovery than my RNY.

Hope this helps.

I was home and cooking dinner three days after surgery. Was I 100%? No, but I wasn't incapacitated. I couldn't drive for the first week, as I was on pain medication -- and I slept more than usual -- but that was it.

I was back to work teaching at a large university in 10 days. Actually, nine days after surgery if you count the orientation I hosted for incoming international students. I was teaching three- hour classes, two times a day, on my feet, and pulling loads of books via a rolling back pack around campus. I was quicker to tire -- but other than that, I was fine.

My son was a bit older -- he had just turned 8 at the time of surgery -- but other than me not being able to lift him up (which I didn't need to do at 8 anyhow) -- there was no reason I couldn't care for him. Additionally, he is home all day because he is homeschooled.

I can't imagine needing anything close to a couple of weeks -- and certainly not six to eight! The only time I needed childcare was for the day of surgery and the two days I was in the hospital -- and that was only because my hospital was two hours away from my home, and my husband had to take me and pick me up.

Thanks for your reply! That's very helpful. It sounds like the recovery should go pretty smoothly.

My youngest was about 20 months old when I had surgery. The lifting restriction was a huge pain in the butt, but I had help. My MIL lives around the block and watched him for me during the day. At my 3 week follow up, I spoke with my surgeon's PA, and explained the problem. She told me that since I was healing well, it would be okay if I held my son, but I wasn't allowed to "pick him up". So, if someone picked him up and handed him to me, I could hold him. That helped a lot, and it wasn't so bad.

It's really important to follow the directions about lifting, because hernias are dangerous and do happen. I would definitely discuss it in detail with your surgeon to get ideas on how much you'll be able to do and what kind of compromises might be available. Also, get a step stool, have your son climb up onto you, don't bend and lift him. If he needs you to hold him, sit down and let him come onto your lap, etc.

You might start practicing now, so see what can be done.

Hello. I too have the same questions. My sleeve revision to bypass is tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. I have a 2 year old that is very loving :-) and I am worried how I will feel after the surgery. I will be inpatient for 1 night and was told by the nurse that her and my husband can stay overnight with me. I know that I cannot lift her but I am worried that I will be so out of it that I will not be able to give her the attention she needs/wants the day of and the immediate days following surgery. I would love to hear from mommies with little ones that still want to be held.