Surgery in 12 Days

[renewedhope 4]

I am 33 years old and am having lap band surgery in just 12 days. I can't wait!! I do have a couple of questions. I have an 11 month old son. How long after surgery will it be before I can pick him up and carry him?

In general how long is the recovery from surgery?? I am so ready to get going, and ready to be finished with this preop liquid diet. My doctor recommends Myoplex shakes. The are really not THAT bad. BTW, I am from Texas.

[socaldixiegal 0]

I'm scheduled for 10/19. I asked my doctor about getting back into regular activities. What he stressed was that the port is positioned with 2 stiches to keep it in place. You need to be very careful not to pull these stiches. I could be 3 - 4 weeks.

He also said how they stich the stomach over the band to hold it in place - these stiches are very easy to tear - this is why we're on the liquid diet. To keep to stomach calm so that it can heal. Not sure if physical activity could pull these - mostly just internal.

You might want to specifically ask your doctor about picking up weights. I know that I have a business trip about 10 days after surgery and I'm planning on checking my luggage so not to have to pick it up into the overhead.

good luck!

[godzgurl75 0]

I am also having surgery on the 24th and very excited. I am also from Texas...I have heard the norm for lifting things is about 3-4 weeks. Although my girls are 4 1/2 and almost 3. Where are you having your surgery done? I am on a 2 wk low carb diet....not that bad...Good luck with everything

[Bullitt2410 0]

I am so glad you asked! I have a 16 month old and Im supposed to be banned on 11/5/07! I will keep looking to see if anyone supplies more answers.

Also I will try and ask my Dr too if i see him soon.

[DonHoll1 0]

Welcome to all the new people. I would say ask your doctor any medical questions and use us for support. Donna

[renewedhope 4]

Thanks for all the info. I called my surgeons office to ask about lifting restrictions. My surgeon was in surgery (imagine that). The receptionist told me that I should plan on not lifting my son (16 pounds) for about a week. I hope she is right, but that just seems like a very short time. I will defininately talk to my Dr about it. I am just trying to make plans for help with caring for my baby while my husband is at work. My biggest concern with the surgery is not being able to pick up my son. He puts a whole new meaning to momma's boy. I also have an 8 year old son that will be a lot of help.

Thanks so much.

[Wendell Edwards 73]

I am 33 years old and am having lap band surgery in just 12 days. I can't wait!! I do have a couple of questions. I have an 11 month old son. How long after surgery will it be before I can pick him up and carry him?

In general how long is the recovery from surgery?? I am so ready to get going, and ready to be finished with this preop liquid diet. My doctor recommends Myoplex shakes. The are really not THAT bad. BTW, I am from Texas.

Hi Hope!

Welcome!

Congratulations on deciding to save your life!

Different doctors have different instructions. Most tell people no lifting for at least 6 weeks after surgery.

[renewedhope 4]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I hope I don't have to wait 6 weeks to hold the baby again, but I definately don't want to do anything to mess up my band. Without going into much detail let me explain why I am so concerned about this with our little guy. He is 11 months old, and we are in the process of adopting him. He was cocaine exposed and lived in that environment until he was 2 months old. That is when he came to live with us. He has since learned what security and attachment are.... maybe a little too well. I can hardly put him down. When I first scheduled the surgery I felt kinida guilty, because I know it will be difficult for him, but then I decided that experiencing the loss of his mom due to health problems r/t obesity would be even worse, so it is for him also that I do this. Maybe I need to find a good nanny. I am sure we will all survive, and it may be good for him to learn to be comforted more by my husband.

[Bullitt2410 0]

Adopting! How awesome! good for you and congrats!

[renewedhope 4]

Thanks. He is prescious. His name is Dylan. I am waiting for a call back from the doctor. He and I have been up since 3:30a. He had 103.6 temp. Took him to the doctor yesterday with 101 temp, but he was fine, except fever. He still doesn't have any other symptoms. Just high fever. I have gotten it down to 100. Poor little fellow. My surgery is 1 week from tomorrow. I need my kiddos to be well, and I don't need to get sick!!! AAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

[renewedhope 4]

The baby has RSV. He is sleeping now. He had this when he was little and was very sick. We ended up in the emergency room with respiratory problems. The doctor said that since he is older now, he shouldn't get as sick. I am planning for a speedy recovery for him and only one week to go for me. Surgery a week from tomorrow. No more corn dogs today. I am back on track.

[ellemay 0]

I was banded 15 days ago and can now pick up my 16 month old. Have been able to for the last few days. They said about a week after surgery would be fine but I was erring on the side of caution.

Good Luck with your banding.

[Mscas3 0]

I was banded 15 days ago and can now pick up my 16 month old. Have been able to for the last few days. They said about a week after surgery would be fine but I was erring on the side of caution.

Good Luck with your banding.

How do you move your ticker? I am not sure how to do this. :help:

I am being banded on October 30th and have begun my two week diet. Day one was great I blew day 2 (today) but will restart day 3..one day at a time.

Thanks

[ellemay 0]

Good question, I set it last night and haven't moved it yet. I think you have to click on the ticker and you can reset it but I'm not sure if you have to cut and paste into your signature line again. I'll find out soon.

I did the pre-op for only a week beforehand. It was torture. I really hate those shakes. The dietition said that it was to shrink the liver before surgery so it would all go more smoothly. Hence the extremely low carb for rapid loss. I figured that chicken was Protein so I ate a few chicken salads instead of the shakes. It didn't help that we were all on holidays and were out some nights for dinner. I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it.

As you say one day at a time. Do the best you can. It's only a few weeks right?

[renewedhope 4]

I have done better today, but the liquid diet is really hard. ElleMay, have you found that the initial liquid diet with the band is easier that the preop diet, since you get full more quickly. Thanks for the info on picking up the baby. That has been one of my biggest concerns. I have family willing to help, but I love hold my boys. Even my 8 year old still climbs up in my lap.

MsCas3, Don't beat yourself up about the preop diet. If you will notice, I have had trouble with mine too. After all, if we could stay on liquid diets well, then we wouldn't be getting banded. Best of luck to you. My banding is on the 24th. Keep me posted on how you are doing.