Hi. I am new here and this is my first post. I have not yet been approved for surgery, but I am hopeful... I would like to keep the surgery private except for my best friend who lives close until after the surgery. I don't know how my family would react, and I don't need the added stress of dealing with their emotions on top of my own. That being said, that will leave me in a position of having little help with my 2 1/2 year old after surgery. Any other single moms or dads with toddlers out there that have had the surgery? Any advice? Am I crazy to think I can manage for the 2 of us after I come home with limited help? My little girl will still go to daycare during the week, but mornings and evenings will be on me.

Also, how long before you could drive after the surgery?

Thanks!

I also decided to only tell my best friend and husband because after I started to talk about it many people were against it so I only wanted supporting people surrounding me. About your little one I watch a 3 year old but I had to take off 2 weeks to recover. It is very important that you won't pick them up for at least for 3 weeks I would say since your incisions will need to heal, the first 2 weeks were the hardest ones in my case but at my 3rd I feel amazing and trust me it's worth it. Good luck.

Oh and probably you can drive the 2 week or as long as you don't take pain meds it's up to you. Trust me you'll get to know your body pretty well

I'm not single but I am a military spouse. At the time of my surgery my husband was gone for two to three weeks each month and working 14-16 hour days when he was home (which means he did ZERO of the caregiving). I was a stay at home mom and had two toddlers to chase all day, every day during the healing process.

My twins were 2.5 years old when I had surgery. I had a few days where I was dragging and tired by six at night but it was fine. I got through it. The only issue would be if your child is still in a crib because you will not be comfortable leaning over like that.

Lifting was hard but my two were old enough to understand I couldn't carry them for a while.

You can do it. It might be tough but the end result is worth a few weeks where things are a little tougher than usual.

I had to set a timer to remind me to feed my kids, though! Sounds silly but with no hunger and sipping on fluids all day I'd lose track of time and forget they needed lunch and dinner until just past the meal. My poor kiddos learned to remind me that they were hungry around mealtimes.

~Cheri