Question:
how long will i need help after sergery if i have two small toddlers?

   — cindy H. (posted on March 12, 2002)

March 12, 2002
You will need at least two weeks, maybe more. It all depends on you. I have a 4 year old and I wasn't able to pick her up for several weeks after surgery. You have to remember not to pick up anything heavier than 5 pounds (thes size of a gallon of milk). I couldn't drive for 3 weeks.
   — dolphins94

March 12, 2002
Hi! I have 3 year old twins and was very worried about being able to take care of them post op. I had help for about 10 days after I came home from the hospital and did just fine. I probably could of done it in a week. I had to get very creative about ways to make them happy without picking them up.<p> I also found that if I took them out to the park or somewhere to play I did much better. I was tired but could sit and watch them play and they were busy playing and didn't want to crawl all over me as much! The only problem was they wanted me to push them on the swings and that was out of the question for a couple of months. I was always able to find a helpful mom that would push them for me. I made sure to take bubbles, balloons, balls, etc to distract them with if they wanted to do something I couldn't keep up with.<p> I got very creative about getting them to get into their car seats without wanting me to lift them into the car. I put a cookie in each car seat and made a race out of seeing if they could get in the van and in their seat without my help! LOL...it worked! <p> You didn't say how old your kids were but if they aren't babies, you'll probably do just fine by the time that you are feeling ok to be up and moving around a lot. Especially if they are still in the napping stage and you can catch a snooze with them...lol!<p> Good Luck!
   — Barbi B.

March 12, 2002
I have a 3 year old and I spent a lot of time explaining to her that I would have a boo-boo on my tummy and that I wouldn't be able to pick her up for a while. She did pretty good and would crawl sideways into my lap after I sat down. I did get the occassional sharp elbow in the ribs, but in general she was pretty mindful that I'd had surgery and was still sore. She was fascinated with my scars and even tried to show them to a business associate I ran into at a restaurant! LOL If your kids go to daycare I would say you will probably be okay after a few days. If you are home with them all day, I would try to arrange some help for a couple of weeks. After all, being a stay-at-home mom is a full time job and most of us took off a couple weeks from work. You should do the same!
   — ctyst

March 12, 2002
i have 3 kids 10,4 & 3 they are all very understanding about mommys zipper(thats what they call it) they went through it with daddy 4 weeks prior to me, i am 3 weeks post op now and feeling great, my dh still helps out alot but i did need him full time for the entire first 2 weeks.
   — rebecca N.

March 12, 2002
I only have 1 toddler. A very active 4 year old (she turned 4 the day after my surgery). Thank God I had my wonderful mom and brother to make sure she was taken care of. But, also a huge fear was "what if she jumps on me?", "what if someone runs to the store...can I take care of her?". Oddly enough, she was very gentle with me. She just knew to take it easy. I did get left alone while people ran errands, and she colored, got her own drinks, got her own little snacks. Now that I'm better---she doesn't do it anymore! She's back to her same old naughty self and I love it, but I'm forever grateful that she was so helpful! Now, depending on your children's ages (wether or not they are able to get their own drinks, or get their PJ's on, etc.) I would recommend having someone around to help you for maybe a week or so. Oh, yeah, I had OPEN rny...I have no idea if it's different if you have lap (?). Good Luck!
   — Kristin R.

March 12, 2002
I had a rough time. My baby was 10 months old. I consider myself a very strong person and was able to tolerate pain very well. Unfortunatly, I did need some help after the surgery. My baby still needed to be picked up to be put in the high chair and crib and loving on. Don't be tempted to do it yourself, you can get hurt. I made my pain worse by trying to take care of my son and myself. I winded up having to just take him back to the lady who kept him until I was fully recovered. My husband had to go to work and my family had to go back to their lives, and I had to recover. Give yourself that time. I'd say 2 weeks at least.
   — Stephanie N.