Explaining surgery to kids?

[katie09/21/2016 137]

My surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday (yikes!!)and I have been on my liquid diet for almost a week now.

My 2 eldest boys who are ages 9 & 5, have noticed that I haven't been eating food and have been asking a lot of questions as to why.

Today at lunch I decided to give them some warning about the upcoming surgery & they asked a million questions - as kids do!

I am pretty upfront with people about my struggles and plans to get surgery (if they ask why) but I absolutely was unprepared and struggled to tell my kids the truth.

I'm not sure that they are old enough to process what weight loss surgery means, and I'm a tiny bit worried that my 5 year old might innocently start suggesting it overweight people we know (he is very helpful like that!).

I settled on telling them that I am getting my stomach fixed because it's not really helping me be healthy (which is basically true!).

They had to be at the hospital with my husband when I had my EGD done & the surgery is at the same hospital so I was able to call on that to make it a bit less scary for them.

I'm curious to know how other people explained the surgery to younger kids, if at all? And how kids reacted after the surgery? Any opinions or thoughts welcome!

Thank all

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[Erin22 1]

I'm having my surgery tomorrow and I still haven't told my 5 and 3 year old. I'd love to hear the responses as well. I'm not sure what to tell them....good luck to you next Wednesday!

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[katie09/21/2016 137]

Thank you! Goodluck to you tomorrow, how exciting!!!

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[thurloj 6]

I have three boys... 10, 8, 6 I have been blunt about it. I refer to it to the as skinny surgery, silly but they get that. The eldest said momma I like you this way and I explained when im thinner I will be able to be more active and do fun stuff. They love to hear how much weight I have lost at each pre opo appt... bet the will love post op appts... they all know its not about size but health

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[Browneyedgirl41 176]

At first I told my 9 year old son I was going in for a hernia repair (which I was) bad I explained what hiatal hernia was and we looked up diagrams online. The main thing he wanted to know is if my surgery could be "fatal" (that was a recent vocabulary work in school). I told him it was a simple procedure, no need to worry, it was outpatient, and mom would see him after school.

Now that 2 weeks have gone by and he sees I do not eat like I used to or with him and his dad, I think he realizes I did something to help me become less "fluffy". Now he loves my fluffy belly but I told him it was healthier for me to get rid of some of the fluff. He has been so gentle by not jumping on me the last few weeks, he asked to see my incisions, which are healing very nicely, and all in all, seems ok with everything. No disruptions at school, behavioral or academic.

Life goes on.

[Mountaingal 322]

Due to kids great ability to both not understand things fully (hey that's why they are kids) and to spread their understanding of things I agree that an explaination about having your stomach fixed might work very well. Of course you can't eat reg food as your stomach is healing. As time goes by and they ask more questions you can go to full truth about WLS or the simple explaination now your stomach is fixed you don't feel you need to need all the time. It is happier and not growling for food. The explaination needs to fit the age of the child. Yes though most definitely make sure they you know you will be just fine.

[Candygyrl 637]

My surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday (yikes!!)and I have been on my liquid diet for almost a week now.

My 2 eldest boys who are ages 9 & 5, have noticed that I haven't been eating food and have been asking a lot of questions as to why.

Today at lunch I decided to give them some warning about the upcoming surgery & they asked a million questions - as kids do!

I am pretty upfront with people about my struggles and plans to get surgery (if they ask why) but I absolutely was unprepared and struggled to tell my kids the truth.

I'm not sure that they are old enough to process what weight loss surgery means, and I'm a tiny bit worried that my 5 year old might innocently start suggesting it overweight people we know (he is very helpful like that!).

I settled on telling them that I am getting my stomach fixed because it's not really helping me be healthy (which is basically true!).

They had to be at the hospital with my husband when I had my EGD done & the surgery is at the same hospital so I was able to call on that to make it a bit less scary for them.

I'm curious to know how other people explained the surgery to younger kids, if at all? And how kids reacted after the surgery? Any opinions or thoughts welcome!

Thank all

Sent from my iPod touch using the BariatricPal App

At that age I think that telling them you need to have your stomach fixed to help you be healthier is a great explanation. Well done! You're being open and honest without overwhelming them with information they don't understand. Luckily, My kids 12 and 15 are lots easier to talk to and actually-- about 3 years ago when I initially thought about having it I spoke with my kids (9 and 12) about it then and they told me that surgery was for cheaters and that I should just work hard, exercise, use self control and stay disciplined. They were my toughest critics!!! For them I chose not to do the surgery at that time and decided I would give it another go on my own. 3 years later we revisited this topic and this time I wasn't thinking about it. I had already started the process. They did not tell me I was taking the easy way out this time-- actually they did not say anything but "ok-- it's your choice" and I respect that. They are already seeing the benefit and although they haven't said anything-- it's having a positive impact on their lives.