Hi Everyone-

First off, I want to give a little background since I neglected this information in my initial intro :embarassed: . My name is Tracy and have been married for @ 14 years. I am a mother of 3 great kids (11, 8 and 3).

I am have my surgery scheduled for June 13 - currently waiting on insurance. I currently am 267# and BMI of 45 - and looking forward to a newer and better me. (wow'd at all your successes)

I work out of my house as a daycare provider to 5 children plus my 3 year old. Because of my job, I need to give my parents advanced notice of any time off.

My doctor said I should be ready to go after 1 week - from reading past threads - I am confused on recovery time. I do understand everyones recovery is different - I am hoping that after 1 week I will be close to normal.(not that I have ever been normal). My summer load is smaller than what I carry right now - so that will help. My surgery is scheduled for a Tuesday, and I would like to bring the kids back that following Monday.

What do you banders thinK??

Thanks for helping a newbie.

I'm a week out from revision surgery, and I don't think I'd be ready to go back to a job that requires so much energy yet (not to mention the lifting!). I'd give yourself 2 weeks just to be on the safe side.

I felt good about walking around and doing things after 1 week, but really I don't think you'll be ready to do any lifting. If the children in your care are heavier than 20lbs, I'd take an extra week. You wouldn't want to do any harm to your incisions even if they are small ones. Besides, your port will probably be rather sore yet. Little ones won't understand and may bump it accidentally.

Lots of things to consider.

I think with the nature of your job you should give yourself 2 weeks. You need to heal and will not be comfortable bending and lifting. This way you will not feel rushed. Remember you are going to be ajusting to your new band as well, and will be on a liquid diet and may have less energy. I took 2 weeks off and felt that it was just about right. My surgery was on a wednesday and I returned on a wednesday for a short work week. This worked out nice for me. I'm a cook supervisor for the school district and there is not much down time there. If your situation allows I would try to take the 2 weeks.

Hope this helps,

Nicole

I was banded on March 7th (20 days ago) and my port site just stopped having pains - and the occasional, disconcerting, throbbing feeling - yesterday. It didn't actually hurt hurt but I wouldn't have wanted it to get bumped. As recently as yesterday I still had to stand up slowly to not feel like something was pulling at the port site. Nothing today though so hopefully I've turned the corner with the port site stuff. I also didn't lift anything over 10 pounds until day before yesterday. Take at least two weeks - you'll be glad you did.

I was back at work 4 days after my surgery... but I sit on my butt all day at a computer. I most definately would NOT have been ready to watch all those kids!!

Are some of the kids old enough to understand that they need to be gentle and help extra with the younger kids or anything like that?

Also, there are some lifting restrictions right after surgery usually too...

Thanks everyone for your comments -

Hopefully, with the smaller group this summer (only 3 fulltime kids) and with the help of my oldest daughter, I will be able to get help with the lifting of the youngest child. My son is the one that I worry about the most - he likes to jump on his momma. Once he sees the marks on my belly - I think he'll understand.

I am going to push for 2 week but may have to take a couple back earlier. (If anything - we can do a lot of outside playing while I sit back and veg.)

thanks again.