Question:
I will be having surgery at the end of July, 1st of August and my

daughter will be 18 months old - right now she weighs 25 lbs. My mom will be here for the 1st two weeks, but then I will have to be lifting her in and out of a truck once I start back to work...will this be okay? Or, how soon after surgery will I be able to pick her up?    — Missy L. (posted on June 11, 2003)

June 11, 2003
I had open RNY and was not allowed to lift anything above 10 lbs. for the first 6 weeks (and actually nothing above 5 lbs. for the first 2 weeks). This is standard. I'm 13 months out and have managed not to get a hernia.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 11, 2003
Depends on if your LAP or OPEN, but as a LAP patient, my surgeon informed me not to lift anything for 2 weeks. With OPEN, it may be longer? Check with your surgeon. They always know what's best for you...Best of luck...Amy
   — Amy A.

June 11, 2003
Hi there, I have a 31 lb toddler, and will be having lap RNY on July 21. My surgeon said I have no restrictions on lifting him. He said I cannot hurt my surgery in any way by lifting him. He said if it feels ok, I can do it. Best advice would be to ask your surgeon. He said if it was open, I would have to wait 2-4 weeks at least.
   — Kelly B.

June 11, 2003
I had lap rny on 5/29, and among my instructions on discharge, was DON'T lift anything. . . I guess each doc has his/her own thoughts.
   — lorien

June 11, 2003
I'm a Mr. Mom with two girls-- who weigh about 46 pounds and 40 pounds. I wasn't really able to lift them for the first 7 days or so, but after that could do it. I was told that b/c my surgery was LAPAROSCOPIC the would sites would not be terribly impacted by lifting the girls after the first week or so and that nothing could really damage the internal work. Good luck!
   — SteveColarossi

June 11, 2003
I had open RNY on 4/18 and the doc said I couldn't do any heavy lifing for three months. He didn't specify a weight but I would say that anything over 10 is considered heavy lifting. Best thing to do is ask your doc. Good luck on your WLS!
   — Kim J.

June 11, 2003
I had LAP RNY and when my baby girl 28 lbs. came to visit me in the hospital I was able to hoist her up to my chest. My surgeon said don't strain but lift with caution, if your going to have surgery LAP your going to be ok and for SURE 2 weeks down the road. Good luck!
   — Maggie M.

June 11, 2003
I had lap rny last year. When I was sent home after surgery, I was told not to lift anything more than 25lbs (so, in my doc's eyes, your kiddo would be "legal"). My 2-year-old was about 28lbs at that time, and after a few weeks, I "cheated" and started lifting him. That didn't cause me any problems or pain. Good luck with your surgery!
   — Laurie A.