Question for those with small children

[bluekygirl 0]

Hello All, I will be banded late March and have an 11 month old baby. I have read that I cannot pick up anything that is heavier than a gallon of milk, which I think is about 8 lbs??? So, of course I have enlisted some help from others while my husband is at work. How long can I expect to need help with my daughter? When is my weight limitation lifted? Also, aside from not being able to pick her up, is there anything else I should know? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

[losingjusme 12]

my DD was about 3 when i was banded (small - 25ish pounds) and i dont think i could pick her up for a couple weeks.

you can still hold her, just not standing up... place her in your lap, or on the couch with you, across your chest (just watch her kicking legs - youch!!).

i cant think of any other real restriction having to do with my DD. you'll do great. this was the best decision i've made for ME ....

[bluekygirl 0]

Thanks for responding so quicky, LJM. Not being able to carry her will be hard, but at least I can still love on her:wub:. Wow, I didn't realize that it would be for a couple of weeks. That's longer than I expected. But she'll definitely benefit once I'm able to be more active with her.

I've been quietly reading your posts. Glad that things are going well with you. You are an inspiration.

[losingjusme 12]

it may be less ... my memory is kinda 'fuzzy' right now ... maybe 10 days???

thank you.

[Blund 0]

Have your DH put her crib & baby gear close to where you'll be camping out while he's at work just in case you HAVE to get to her. Hopefully she is not walking yet???

[txaberry 0]

crazy, I am in the same boat! I get banded tomorrow, but don't have any family or friends around. We are getting a nanny service for a week and then my partner will be off for a week. I'm kinda stressing too... It's just habit to pick them up, I don't want to mindlessly pick him up and ruin something... Good luck!! I hope after two weeks I can get back to mommy duty :thumbup: I just keep reminding myself that although I'll be out of comission for a few weeks, he'll benefit much more in the long run... Keep us posted!!

[Shinyhappymommy 2]

You should definitely check with your surgeon. I was given clearance to lift my 23 pound 11 month old whenever I needed to following surgery. I tried to limit the amount of lifting that I needed to do, but had the peace of mind that I would be okay if I did lift him. I never had any problems with pain in lifting him. I did try to make most of the lifting come from my arms and not my stomach. See what your surgeon says about it. You might be surprised. I was.

[jnbwilds 0]

My little dude is 3 and about 30 lbs. My surgeon recommended 2 weeks before lifting him from the floor, but ok to hold him if he climbed on my lap right away. I think I made it 8 days before he did one of his trademark, "Mommy, carry me" moves from the top of our stairs when he launches himself in the air, trusting you'll catch him. It was either catch him or watch him tumble down the stairs. Not a tough choice really. It definately hurt in the port area and left me sore there for a few hours, but no big damage.

[bluekygirl 0]

Thanks, that's all great advice. I will certainly talk to my surgeon about it as well. But it's sounding like I will be able to hold her with no problem and perhaps even pick her up in certain situations. She is actually walking everywhere and getting into everything, so I'm glad I'll have someone here with me to help chase her around. I am thinking that will be the worst part during the healing process. I just don't want to put this surgery off any longer. Good luck to all!

[Kat817 19]

I babysit for my granddaughter and have since she was about a year old. She was 16 months when I had surgery, and she too is small, but we managed. I went back to taking care of her on my own on day 5. I would hold her hand and she could climb into her high chair, or up on to the couch next to me. She could use the step stool for the potty and to get into bed. It is doable, you need to prepare though for the things you know you usually lift for. Make a place to change diapers down low, plan a way to get them into the crib---or have them nap with you on the bed.....have snack items handy, and as much prepared in advance as you can.

Soon you will be running and roughhouseing again---and feeling more like it each day!!!!

Kat

[Lori_NC 1]

This has been a concern of mine. I have a 27 month old daughter and I am a single mom. She will be spending a few days with her dad while I have the surgery but then, for the most part she will be with me. Of course she always wants mommy to "pick up". I plan to discuss this with my Dr. next week when I meet with him.

[CarolAnne 0]

so glad you asked this. I am just starting to explore lap band surgery but am concerned about how we will handle the kids. I have a 7 year old a 4 year old and a 17 month old. I guess by the time I jump through all the hoops he will be closer to 2. Not sure how we will manage it all, but I know my boys deserve a healthy mommy!