Question:
Will I be able to care for my kids
I am having laprny on Thursday, I have a 4 year old and a 9 year old, I will have help until Sunday then I am on my own, am I in troubleand will I have so much pain that I can't get around the house, my husband works long hours and cannot stay home ater the weekend. Now I am terrified. — Lindap2kids (posted on January 3, 2004)
January 3, 2004
I have not had surgery yet but I talked to my dr. about this question also.
I have a 7 year old and a 2 year old. Dr. Bruderer said that I would be
fine. Just watch out for them about jumping on you!! Good luck!
— ndblue E.
January 3, 2004
You should be fine! Try not to let the kids jump on you and of course,
don't be picking them up or doing any housework (good excuse to have
someone come in and clean the house). My surgery was on Monday, I went home
Wed. morning and my husband was home, then Thursday I was by myself with
the kids. I did get them rides to and from school that day, but by Friday
I was going stir crazy so I drove down the block to have my hair cut and
picked them up myself from school. Hope you have a complication free
surgery. Lisa G.
— saltybichon
January 3, 2004
I had lap surgery (cyst removal)last year. I was in no pain post op!
I had open VGB in June. I was able to come home to care for my two
daughters (9 and 11) and my two foster sons(4 and 6) without a problem. Yes
at times I was in pain, but the pain medicine didnt not make me sleepy so I
had no problem caring for my kids.
Try not to worry! You will be just fine!
— S A.
January 3, 2004
I had open Rny on a Friday, flew home on Tuesday, and was left with my 4
year old by myslef from there on out. I had no problems and went back to
work full time the following Monday. I think you will be fine, your older
child can help a bit too.
— jennap
January 3, 2004
if you think you will need it, pay a teenager to watch them in your home
for a couple of hours. you can also pay them to cook or to clean. i was
lucky my husband was able to take 2 weeks off of work. all i wanted to do
was sleep and heal. i stopped taking my pain meds on the fourth day, but it
took awhile for my brain fog to lift.
— franbvan
January 3, 2004
You should be fine, your kids are old enough to understand your situation.
My only concern is that you will be very tired and sleep alot....will the 4
y/o run off while you are sleeping? The oldest will be in school during
the day, I am assuming. You will recover much faster and will be able to
get around much better than what you think.
— RebeccaP
January 3, 2004
Make your 4 year old a box lunch with their sandwich and drink. Have snacks
in zip lock bags. That way if they need something to eat you can tell them
to go get a snack or their lunch. Move the TV so she/he can get into bed
and watch with you. This way you can moniter her/him. I wouldn't worry too
much about the pain and not being able to care for the kids. You will be
surprised how your kids will rise to the occasion. My daughter is 4 and I
really am just someone she puts up with at this point. She can DO IT and
she doesn't want hte help. Just making her meals ahead of time was saved on
the mess and is something the 9 year old can do. I also made meatloafs and
meat balls ahead of time for dinner. My 9 year old would throw the meat
loaf in a cold oven and turn it on. I didn't want him to get burned so this
worked for me. He also could throw the meatballs in the crockpot before
school. He was very helpful. The pain may not be as bad as you expect.
There are a hundred different stories about this surgery. It is like asking
about childbirth. Ask 100 women you'll get everything from it was easy to
I'm never having another one. This surgery is the same everyone is
differnet.
— Rebecca K.
January 4, 2004
I have a 3yr old and a 4yr old. I had LapRNY on a friday and was home on
saturday. I took the kids to preschool on monday morning and was at the
mall on wednesday. I had virtually no pain, just a lack of energy. I kept
their snacks on the low shelf of the pantry and kept a glass out so they
could get something to drink. After a few days, everything was back to
normal! You should be just fine! Best of luck to you!
— JaimeO
January 4, 2004
My children are exactly the same age as yours. I had an open RNY so your
situation will be different (faster healing/less pain) but...I was off the
pain medication the 2nd day I was home from the hospital and with the
exception of being able to lift anything, I was ok to help the kids dress,
bathe, etc. You can drive as soon as you're off the meds. I agree with an
earlier poster: plan for light meals (sandwiches, etc.) for the kids and
perhaps they can have a bath every other day. Have the 9 year old help the
4 year old as much as possible. Good luck!
— Laura B.
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