Question:
I am worried....

I am 24 years old and I am 406 lbs... All my life I have been over weight due to my genetics and also my love for junk foods when I get bored. I was suppose to get the surgery years ago but my insurance wasn't going to help. Last summer I was worried to find out I was pregnant. I was worried that something would go wrong because I was so over weight. Thankfully everything went well...and now I have a 6 1/2 month old baby girl. But my problem is no...I have problems with my knees now and I only work 1 day a week and I have become a stay home mom and I have gotten lazy...I have no energy to do anything now days. My question is if I get this done how long is it going to be before I can hold my daughter am I going to be able to pick her up and take care of her after the surgery? I dont really have anyone to help take care of her... I guess I have lots of little questions about these things...I know I have to do something...If anyone can help me out please let me know...    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on October 20, 2008)

October 20, 2008
Restrictions on lifting are generally about 3 wks, depending on your surgeon. If you plan on having the surgery, you'll need some help during that time frame. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

October 20, 2008
honey, the best thing you can do is recurt some help. there are people that love you, some where out there let em in. make plans, i believe this would be wonderful for you and the baby. you will be able to enjoy her so much more. good luck
   — peggy R.

October 20, 2008
Hi Christina...I am 3 months post op. My doctor told me that I could not pick up anything over 5 lbs for 2-3 weeks and then I couldn't lift anything much heavier than that until I was about 4-6 weeks post op. If you have any family or close friends that can come stay with you during your recovery you will surely need it. Please feel free to contact me anytime!! Good luck!!
   — rhiannon1969

October 20, 2008
Hi Christina, I had GBS about 3 1/2 years ago. When I had the surgery I weighed 402 pounds and was 31 years old. I lost a total of 235 pounds in about 15 months. I now have a 14 month old daughter and am now a stay at home mom. I love how I feel now. I would say that after about a week you will be fine to take care of your daughter. You can hold her sitting down. Or lay on the floor with her etc. I was told not to lift anything over 20 pounds for about 4 weeks. But if she is less which i'm sure she is you should be fine. The first week I had the surgery was the worst. But basically when I came home I took care of myself by myself. Let me just say I know how you feel. I lived my life for 30 years being super morbidly obese. This is something you have to do. Not only for yourself but for your daughter. Sometimes I look at my little girl and I thank God I had the surgery. If I wouldn't have there would be so much my daughter would miss out on just because of me. Just think of all the things you will be able to do with her once you lose all that weight. You can go on rides with her in amusement parks and carnivals, go down the slidey with her at the playground, run around with her in the park and take long walks not to mention a few. Please try to make this happen. It will be the best thing you ever did believe me it is sooooooooo worth it. If you need anything else let me know. Good luck, Jeannie
   — jjeanniespets1

October 21, 2008
You have to look at the entire picture and not bits and pieces...I realise you are concerned about your daughter and who will take care of her or help you for a few weeks...but when you step back and get serious about the surgery, you will see that there are a lot of people that will help you out...Tell your neighbors you are having surgery and might need a little help until you can get on by yourself...See if they wouldn't mind giving you their cell numbers so that if you need them to come over and just get the baby outta bed or into the bath with your supervison it would be easy and hardly a burden for anyone to come over for a moment or two! You could rent a wheel chair or borrow one to get around while carrying the baby too (You will need to walk on your own after surgery though...but not carrying a baby for yours and her safety)...and put her bed or resting place at a height that is easy to acccess without straining to lift her. Find out where all the 13 year olds live in your neighborhood... and offer a few bucks to come over after school and help you for a few minutes! You are not as alone as you think you are. It's a fairly short recovery time...for a lifetime of health and mobility and the quality of life you can share with your child! Your knees will only get worse if you don't get some weight off...I had bad knees prior to WLS myself. (Barely walked ...with a cane and a lot of pain) Get out there and meet your neighbors and find the ones who have young teens that might enjoy a few bucks spending money...or others who wouldn't mind helping out of the kindness of their heart! Let them know it's just temporary for a short time and you wouldn't ask if you didn't need help! If you really want this...just start planning things and thinking of ways to get thru the beginning days after surgery. Get your home ready and get a bunch of numbers of neighbors that might come over a few times a day for a few minutes! Find a wheel chair and a buggy that you don't have to bend over too much to get baby in and out of...The old fashioned ones would be ideal...I haven't looked at baby buggies in a long time...I don't even see people using them anymore...But I know they are out there! What better way to get in some exercise? You will have the support of the stroller, the actual exercise and child will totally love being with you...I wish you much luck! You can do this! And it will be so wonderful for you both in the long run! So don't focus on the days after surgery...Focus on your healthier, thinner life...You will find help sweetie...You gotta get proactive and make it happen!
   — .Anita R.

October 21, 2008
I had laproscopic RNY on 8/27/08. I was on lifting restrictions of nothing more than 20 pounds for three weeks after my surgery. What I would be concerned about is how tired you will be after surgery. I was sleeping/napping for almost three weeks after surgery because my body was wiped out and needed to recuperate.
   — Ursie77

October 21, 2008
I had RNY surgery Sept.9, 08 and was not able to pick my grandson up for 1 week. I was back to work in 16 days. I wouldn't hesitate to do the surgery if I hadn't already had it done. I had problems with my knees and hips and there were days I couldn't even walk without holding onto the furniture or the wall. now I walk 4 miles a day. and feel great.
   — humper

October 21, 2008
Hi I guess it just depends on what surgery you have and how much your baby weighs. I just had Lap Band surgery on 9/19/08 and I have a 8mo. old daughter and at the time of surgery she was 7mo. and weighed 16lbs. My doctor advised me that I could pick up my daughter, and I did as soon as I got home from surgery. I just was careful that she didn't climb all over me or hurt my wounds. I did have her father help me out quite a bit but none the less I was able to cuddle with my baby girl without a problem. Hope this helps a little and Good Luck!
   — CLAUDIA J.

October 21, 2008
Chrissy, I read your story. I believe that you have sleep apnea, you need to have a sleep study done, do not let it go too long. I have heart damage from sleep apnea, but I'm a lot older than you are. Do you belong to a church? There might be a group of people there who would be willing to help you out, or you could call a church in your area and ask if they know of an orginization who might be able to help. God Bless You and Your Baby!
   — KathieV

Click Here to Return