Questions, Getting Lap Band While Taking Care Of Baby

[happymum 1]

Hello,

I'm working on scheduling my lap band for sometime this summer but my concerns are about being able to take care of my now 7 month old son and how long should i stay with my parents post op. I'm a single mom who lives alone so i do plan on staying with my parents during this time. He's a big boy, already 19.5lbs. Do you think i'll be able to lift him or how long should i wait? Any other new mom's get the lap band?

Thanks

[cbreeden28 23]

My son was 22 months old when I had surgery. He stayed with my mom for 3-4 days until I could care for him on my own. My husband works nights, so I would have been alone with him at bedtime and such. He can walk, but I still lift him at bedtime and such. There is no way I could have lifted him right after surgery. I could barely stand and sit on my own. I say stay there with your parents until you feel comfortable on your own again.

Plus, in my case, the pain medication would knock me out for 3-4 hour stretches, so there is no way I could take care of him on my own post-op.

But recovery is quick. I had surgery on a Tuesday morning and by Friday, I was caring for him on my own again.

[happymum 1]

My son was 22 months old when I had surgery. He stayed with my mom for 3-4 days until I could care for him on my own. My husband works nights, so I would have been alone with him at bedtime and such. He can walk, but I still lift him at bedtime and such. There is no way I could have lifted him right after surgery. I could barely stand and sit on my own. I say stay there with your parents until you feel comfortable on your own again.

Plus, in my case, the pain medication would knock me out for 3-4 hour stretches, so there is no way I could take care of him on my own post-op.

But recovery is quick. I had surgery on a Tuesday morning and by Friday, I was caring for him on my own again.

Thank you! That's good to know. He's such a good boy but he's literally attached at my hip, lol. I know it's going to be a tough time for him (and me) but it makes me feel much better that it will most likely only be a few day instead of a few weeks. How long were you on the "hard" pain medication?

[cbreeden28 23]

I was on the pain medicine for about 2 days. They kept me overnight in the hospital and administered it through my IV. The next day, I went home and continued a liquid form for the day. Within 5-10 minutes of taking it, I was out. The next day, I felt less pain and more just soreness. I didn't take anything that 3rd day and was fine by day 4. I still have a huge bottle of it at home. Being such a strong narcotic, I was surprised they dispensed so much for this surgery.

I've always been very leary of relying to heavily on pain medicine. The kind they had me on is very addictive. I didn't take it anymore than I had to (it was Hydrocodone).

[honk 780]

I don't have any children.

I was not on any perscription pain killers once I left the hospital. I did take liquid tylenol (look for store brands MUCH cheaper). Was pretty good after surgery. Day four I was back at the gym walking the treadmil for about 45 minutes; but I had to come home and take a nap afterwould.

If you can I would stay with your parents for 2 weeks. You will be pretty self sufficient but it will be nice to have someone else cooking for him (you will be on liquids and NO cheating). It will be hard to clean up after a baby (bending over).

Just my opinionfor what it's worth.

[happymum 1]

I'm thinking it's going to be interesting through the puree stage.2 bites for baby, 1 bite for mommy. lol

I was planning on 2 weeks post op with my parents. I don't do well with the heavy drugs so i will most likely switch to the liquid Tylenol very quickly. I'll be sure to ask my doctor about their usual procedure with the pain meds once we officially get this ball rolling.

I'm soooooo excited for this opportunity but the more real it gets the more anxiety i have, and i don't even have any dates set. I'm just glad my family is supporting me 110%.

Thanks!!

[honk 780]

I was really fine on just liquid tylenol; though I did stay ahead of the pain the first couple days (yes you should not over do tylenol over 3-4 days or longer).

And I'm sure your parents will enjoy all that grandbaby time! I'll ask my mother (who lives an hour or so away) to come visit me. Her reply "But that's when Fun Great Grandbaby comes to visit me!" (He comes every week!) Sometimes I feel a little neglected.

[SashaWLS 412]

2 weeks post-op with your folks sounds like a very good idea... There's absolutely NO WAY I could have lifted 20lbs for a few weeks after surgery. They ask you not to lift anything up to 40lbs for a month to make sure the stitches are healed...

But your son can sit on your lap!! And if you let him sleep in the bed with you some, you can get lots of cuddle time. Just try to keep him from whacking you in the stomach!!! The day my 4yo daughter came home from her grandparents' house (5 days post-op) she ran flying down the hallway and slammed me in the stomach and yelled "TAG! You're it!!!" and ran away... Welcome home!

[happymum 1]

Oh man! I'll be sure to try and avoid that. He sure is a wiggly one.