I am generally pretty stubborn about "over doing it" when I shouldn't. I know I am taking this serious and trying to prepare myself ahead of time for what should be expected.

A brief about what I do... stay at home mom, 3 boys 12, soon to be 7 and 4 yo. I watch a soon to be 2 year old during the day as well. Kids are active in sports do the normal running around with them, do all household chores, errands, I do cakes on the side, Initials Inc consultant and have 3 dogs, a lab and 2 english bulldogs!

So my questions:

1) How much help do you think I will need right after surgery...will I feel like crap the first week? I don't really have to carry anyone but will I not be able to bend a lot?

2) Stairs for upstairs..should I make a post for myself downstairs to avoid going up and down all day?

3) How long before you are allowed to drive yourself? (assuming pain meds are used as needed, not a big pill taker even when in pain)

4) How long do I need off?

5) Dogs? My babies feel they are poodles and like to sit on me If they step on me will that dislodge anything?

I am generally pretty stubborn about "over doing it" when I shouldn't. I know I am taking this serious and trying to prepare myself ahead of time for what should be expected.

A brief about what I do... stay at home mom' date=' 3 boys 12, soon to be 7 and 4 yo. I watch a soon to be 2 year old during the day as well. Kids are active in sports do the normal running around with them, do all household chores, errands, I do cakes on the side, Initials Inc consultant and have 3 dogs, a lab and 2 english bulldogs!

So my questions:

1) How much help do you think I will need right after surgery...will I feel like crap the first week? I don't really have to carry anyone but will I not be able to bend a lot?

2) Stairs for upstairs..should I make a post for myself downstairs to avoid going up and down all day?

3) How long before you are allowed to drive yourself? (assuming pain meds are used as needed, not a big pill taker even when in pain)

4) How long do I need off?

5) Dogs? My babies feel they are poodles and like to sit on me If they step on me will that dislodge anything?[/quote']

I am post op day three and my worst day was yesterday. Today is a little bit better but still pretty sore. I don't have a lot of trouble going up or down the stairs. The most trouble I have is when getting up from sitting or laying down. I still can't bend over and pick things up. I didn't drive at all yesterday or the day of surgery but I will be driving today and I think I'll be fine. I'd be careful allowing the dogs to sit on you, I think it'd be pretty painful. You may want to have some help, i would have wanted some if I were you. Hope I could help! Everyone's pain is different so maybe you'll have a fast recovery and won't have much pain good luck!

1- When I had surgery I felt rough for about 5 days then started feeling better. Unless the kids are super extra good you will need some help for a few days. You are not suppose to lift over 10 lbs, that was my post op orders, for 3 weeks. I could bend, but it hurt for about a week.

2-I was able to go up and down stairs fine with no problems. Walking post op is really good for you.

3-You can drive as soon as you are off meds. I had surgery on Friday and was driving again on Tuesday, but not long distances.

4- I would say give your self at least 5, people will tell you they took less - I tried to, but just couldn't do it. You are on liquids when you come home and my energy level was nada for the first 5.

5- You can't lift anything over 10 lbs for 3 weeks or at least that was my post op orders. I wouldn't let my 18 lbs cat walk on me, you are pretty sore. I would keep them off, just try to get them to lay close rather than on you.

Keep in mind you are going through surgery, you body will be in shock afterwards and will need some time to heal and recover. I have had 3 other surgeries in my life- I recovered quicker for all of those than this one. One year before lapband surgery I had my gallblader removed, I was back up and perfect in about 3 days, this surgery it took 5 before I felt like a human again. But this was just my experience. For each person on this site you will get a diffrent story- each person is different.

Thanks for the advise. I'm normally the do it all on my own type of person. I guess I'm trying to mentally prepare myself that I may be down for the count a few days and need help.

I understand, I am the same way. But, with this surgery I said for once I am going to be selfish and I am going to take care of me. I purchase meals for the hubs that he could easily prepare himself. The only thing I did was take care of me for a few days and frankly that is all I had the energy to do. Once I was feeling better though I felt like I could takle the world. My hubs was like, geez did they implant an energizer bunny in there or something.