Question:
How long after bypass can I take care of my 8 month old baby on my own?

I am a stay at home mom and husband works 8 hours during the day. I can arrange help for 2 weeks for sure but will I physically be able to care for her on my own when my husband goes back to wokr? Has amyone else had a similar situation? I would love some advise. Thanks so much!!    — hannahsmom1014 (posted on June 22, 2008)

June 21, 2008
I would ask your surgeon. I was back to work in two weeks, and I had no problem lifting something like 20-25 lbs, but I am a 62 year old male. The area that you might need assistance is for meals. I had to focus and sit for 15-25 minutes to be able to eat for the first 4-6 weeks. Your stiches inside just make eating a disconfort, and I would say you need to focus on the meal, without the disturbance a young child could bring during a time that is cridical for your health moving forward. Eating is hard initally, and I only had problems trying to watch TV and eat or Work at my desk during luch and eat. Maybe you can get breakfast down before your husband leaves for work, and eat luch while your child naps. Then have dinner together in the evening with your husband helping with you child during dinner. I know my doctor did not have a problem with me vaccumming or doing laundry after two weeks. I joined a gym and started excersizing after two weeks, so the handling of the child will be tiring, but should be within your abilities while your husband works. At night, you do need to get a good nights sleep, so if you and your husband could work out every other night taking turns handling the clild during the night, if he is up and needs atttention often. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

June 21, 2008
A lot depends on whether or not you're having it Laproscopically with the tiny incisions, or Open, with the larger incision.
   — Gina S.

June 21, 2008
I had lap bypass surgery in May and I have a 11 month old that weighs approximately 19 pounds, I was told from the day I left the hospital that I could lift him so it was not a problem. I was back to work lobster fishing in two weeks without restrictions. I guess it all depends if you have laproscopic or open and what your surgeon thinks. However, if you have no complications, I am sure you will have no problem in physically be able to take care of your baby, but then again I realize that sometimes a baby is alot of work without having the process of recovering from major surgery. Best wishes to you and your journey to a smaller you!
   — criehavendude

June 21, 2008
My doc had my on a 10 pound weight restriction for 6 weeks. In other words, no lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds. Check with your doctor. This is important, you don't want adhesions later.
   — Shirley D.

June 22, 2008
I was not allowed to lift anything over 15 pounds for 4 weeks.
   — Alvernlaw

June 22, 2008
I take care of teacher's kids during the school year .. take care of 6 boys ... ages (3) 4 yrs old ... almost 5, (1) 3 yr old and (2) 2 yr olds ... the younger three we were in the middle of potty training. I had my surgery done on Wednesday, March 12. Had the following week off for Spring Break. Went back to work that next Monday ... so I had 12 days off. I was a little tired/slow still from the anastecia (sp?), but was never in any pain ... soreness and pressure was all I felt ... a little burning feeling on my left side from time to time. Went back to work and had no problems ... just took it easy. Did simple things with the kids for the first week. Changed them on the floor when needed ... had them crawl up onto my lap when they needed to ... I did not pick them up too much that first week. Felt 100% after that first week and went back to my regular routine of preschool and changing. Good luck. My doctor said that for patients like me that are young - age 37 - and that are healthy other than being overweight - that my recovery is normal. Healthy people don't usually have many if any problems at all. It is the ones that have so many health problems before surgery that have problems after surgery.
   — Tammy Cardwell

June 22, 2008
I had lap rny. I have two little boys, at the time they were 3 and my younger son had just turned 2. the first week I tried to avoid picking them up and carrying them around. I would have my son climb on the couch himself and then change his diaper. By the second week I was back to my regular routine. I actually went back to work 10 days after surgery. Good luck on your journey.
   — MelissaD919

June 22, 2008
It really depends on how you heal but my daughter 2 years old at the time and I took care of her almost right away. My mom came and helped me for a couple days but I did the rest myself. I had made the mistake of lifting her out of habit just a few days after surgery and then felt a little sore the next day. Other than that it was fine. It was much easier than I thought it would be. I know you have a baby to life more than I did but you should be fine. Ask your doctor to make sure that you can lift him/her if you have to. Good luck to you and God Bless!! Angie Kimball (sillyguts)
   — Sillyguts