Question:
Question about carrying heavy books/backpack post op

Hi everyone, I will be having surgery on January 7th and returning to school on January 21st. My books are heavy. VERY heavy (law books). This past semester I was using a rolling backpack but even that you have to lift up the stairs. Will this be possible 2 weeks after LAP RNY? Any suggestions?    — susanje (posted on December 26, 2002)

December 26, 2002
Check with your surgeon. I had LAP RNY and was under a lifting restriction for anything heavier than 10 lbs. for 6 weeks so I wouldn't get a hernia and to allow the abdominal muscles to heal. See what your surgeon recommends.
   — Cathy S.

December 26, 2002
Hi! I'm a student also, and I had LAP RNY on Oct. 1st. I went back to school on Oct 8th, with just a notebook and a pen. About 2 weeks post, I started carrying my backpack. It just depends on how you heal. The surgeon told me if it didn't feel like i was putting any strain on it, then it should be fine. But I was extremely careful for the first couple of weeks and i think the muscles really had a chance to heal well before I attempted to lift heavy backpacks. You might want to buy one of those rolling backpack things with a long handle. I bought one just in case, but didn't end up using it. Try that out also!! :) Good luck with your surgery and law school :)
   — Iris B.