Hi all,

I have just decided to pursue a vertical sleeve surgery. I have an appointment for a consultation next week and in the mean time discovered this board.

I have a very active 1-year-old little girl, who is one of the main reasons I have decided to do this for myself. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for what my expectations can be for after surgery. Will I be able to pick her up (to hold her, put her in her car seat, etc.)? She is 22 lbs and growing. She has her father's metabolism, thank God. My husband will be able to help out as much as he can at night, but he will not be able to take vacation time while I'm healing.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or has had experience having the surgery while caring for a toddler. Thanks in advance!

You won't be able to lift her for many weeks. I have a 2.5 year old and I was unavailable to her for most of the week right after surgery. The second week I was feeling much better but still not able to do everything for her. You will most likely need help with her right after surgery and for a couple weeks afterwards. Its a big surgery and a major adjustment for your body. Good Luck on your surgery.

My son was 16mos when I had surgery and I had no help post-op with him. He was at his dads house while I was in the hospital but as soon as I came home so did he. I wasn't able to lift anything over 15lbs for 3 weeks post-op. I'm not sure when you're scheduled for surgery but what really helped me is that my son climbs the stairs on his own, climbs into his high chair by himself, climbs into the car by himself, and sleeps in a toddler bed that he also climbs into. Does she climb yet? If she's still dependent on you for these things you'll definitely need help, but otherwise I'd say you'll be fine.

The only struggle for me was the couple times he hurt himself during the first 3 weeks I immediately ran to him to pick him up and had to stop myself mid-lift.

I will be having my surgery on the 28th. I'm surprised to hear that I won't be able to lift anything for over 3 weeks! I really need to talk to my surgeon because I run a daycare in my home and have been telling my parents I'll be reopening within a couple of weeks of my surgery. :-(