Question for the Post-op Loosers....I need your advice.....

Okay post-op loosers....there are so many of you out there & I am really needing your advice.  Every year we take a 3-4 day spring vacation w/the kids and I usually have it booked by now.  This year, however, I was waiting on my approval/surgery date to plan anything & now that I have it (Lap RNY on March 17th) I am wondering when, in your opinion(s), I will feel up to going on vacation w/my family? 

I really have no idea how much "rest" I will need after the Lap RNY.....in fact, my husband is taking FMLA time off of work, but how long will I need him around to help?  Keep in mind, we have a 6 year old who is in Kindergarten (& we drive her there & pick her up daily), a 3 year old & a 23 month old.....so, in addition to my question about our vacation, how long should my hubby expect to be home caring for the little ones (and me) after my surgery?

I usually heal pretty quickly & I am pretty active...I know everyone is different, but what should I expect????

THANKS, Micheala.

I wish I knew how to answer your recovery question BUT I had a Realize band (I had it on a Tuesday and was back at work the next Monday.) 

What I want to say was WOW!!!   You have three small children and a supportive husband, you will be fine and just think once you start loosing the weight how much more active you will be able to be in their lives!   I know in just the short time I've been banded and the weight I've lost, going outside with my little one is now a pleasure!

Congratz on your family, and your surgery date!!  

Wow--what a turn around with the Realize band! 

I am really focusing on how much fun we will have as a family when I am keeping up with an extremely active husband and three extremely active little ones....I am hoping one day they are telling me to slow down!!! I can't wait!!!

Thanks for your response & congratz on your success!!!!

With 3 little ones, and one being (almost) 2...I would say you will need hubby for at least 1 full week, possibly 2. Remember, you are not supposed to drive for 2 weeks. You also need to avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. Even with laproscopic surgery you can develop a hernia, usually at the umbilical incision site.

As for vacation, I doubt you will feel up to being away from home for those first couple of weeks. I felt fairly perky, went back to work part-time 12 days post-op, but after a few hours at my desk all I wanted was my jammies and my bed. Granted, you are a lot younger than I am but you also have 3 little ones who will take up a lot of your energy throughout the day.

I say, play it by ear and maybe plan some activities close to home for this year's Spring vacation.

As for hubbies FMLA, if he puts in for 3 or 4 weeks and then you find he can return sooner, he should be able to. It's easier to return sooner than planned than to get an extension. (this is just the HR/Benefits Administrator in me talking)

my little one was 2 and a half when I had my surgery. (lap RNY) lucky for me she can climb up onto  a bed for changes and she did pretty good about not jumping on my belly !!  now that we have completed potty training my world is so much easier. ! lol  yes I say stay close to home this year or postpone  and go somewhere fun in a few months when you can eat solid foods !  my daughter went to daycare during the day so I could rest and hubby did alot in the evenings for a good 2 weeks.  good luck ! 

Everyone is different, but I'd guess at least 4 to 6 weeks post-op you could go on vacation.  Of course, it also depends on what kind of vacation you take.  I doubt you'll feel like doing any strenous activity, like water skiing or anything like that. 

I didn't get my strength and energy back 100% until about 8 to 10 weeks after surgery. But, I actually drove my motorcycle (with the wife on back) on a 500+ mile round trip to Gatlinburg the 4th week after my surgery.  I got a little sore, but it wasn't that bad - however, in hindsight, I probably pushed it a little bit since my motorcycle weighs over 900 lbs.

I felt absolutely fine at about 7-10 days---BUT, I don't have young kids. I thnk that will make the biggest difference.  Like Bama Bob said -- what do you do on vacation?  That will factor in also.

dont forget about post op diet restrictions.. I went on vacation to vegas after i was out of my puree phase (90 days after surgery), but still struggled with getting back to eating "normal" foods again. I didnt eat nearly as much but still made the mistake of eating too quickly, which is a hard lesson to learn when you're in public at a restaraunt feeling like you're about to be sick.