Hello -

I am having surgery July 2nd. I was supposed to have surgery June 5th, but ended up with my first (and hopefully LAST) pneumonia! I am a mom of three girls (ages 11, 9, and 5) and a husband that works offshore. He will be home for my surgery, I have help with the kiddos, I stay one night then go home - then he heads back to work a week and a half later.....

I need input from mom's about pain level and energy level.....what are realistic expectations?

Was it bad when you first woke up and got better every day? Am I going to be too exhausted to cook and take care of my kiddos a week and a half out?

Just trying to plan for help as needed -

Thanks so much!

Shannon

I'm a teacher too. I had my surgery August 9 last year, and I went back to work around August 20. After I went back to work, I was very tired. I was coming home and going to bed around 8:30. I couldn't stay up later because I was falling asleep sitting on the couch watching the evening news. It got better, but at first, I was exhausted.

I was able to quit taking pain medication while I was still in the hospital. I stayed two nights, and I didn't take any pain meds the first night. I also had no nausea.

At home, right after surgery, getting in the required 64 ounces of Water felt like a full-time job. It was HARD!

I didn't cook right away. By a couple of weeks out, you can probably physically do it, but you might not be able to mentally. The smell of food didn't bother me, but I definitely didn't want to eat anything. It was weird just being able to enjoy the smell of good food and not want to actually eat it.

My one word of advice would be to be aware that your stay may be longer than one night/day. That seems remarkably optimistic to me, particularly knowing how I was feeling the day following my surgery. The average length of stay at BIDMC is 3 days...and I was in a full week, due to increased inflammation (in my stomach) following surgery. Regarding energy, a week post-op, and I'm able to get up and walk a couple times throughout the day. I can't imagine having to care for small children, though....cooking, cleaning up after, and parenting would be exhausting. I hope you're able to keep your help around for as long as you need it, and that your recovery is a quick one!!

lollyfidy has a good point. I stayed a third night when originally I was only planned for two nights. But you say your husband will be there for a week and a half so you should be good even if you had a little extra hospital stay.

Yeah - everyone down here that I know that has had it only stayed one night - but it is a good idea to have a contingency plan!! He also does not use a drain tube or staples on the skin.....

SO hopefully it will go well -

Thanks!!

The only pain I had was the incision pain, and it was about half the pain I felt after my c-section. I stayed 2 nights because I live far away from a hospital with bariatric care. I have a husband, but he had to leave each day for several hours and it left me alone with our lively 6 year old son. I stocked the kitchen with uncrustables (PBJ sandwiches for the freezer), lunchables, apple sauces, his favorite soups, etc. I know it's junk but I had to make it through the week. When my close friends asked what they could do to help, I always replied "Spend time with Ben". They came over and talked to him and just hung out with him, tried to wear him out, etc. We made it through! Good luck to you!

The only pain I had was the incision pain, and it was about half the pain I felt after my c-section. I stayed 2 nights because I live far away from a hospital with bariatric care. I have a husband, but he had to leave each day for several hours and it left me alone with our lively 6 year old son. I stocked the kitchen with uncrustables (PBJ sandwiches for the freezer), lunchables, apple sauces, his favorite soups, etc. I know it's junk but I had to make it through the week. When my close friends asked what they could do to help, I always replied "Spend time with Ben". They came over and talked to him and just hung out with him, tried to wear him out, etc. We made it through! Good luck to you!

That was a great idea to ask your friends to help with your son. I am sure it made it a special time for him as well with some attention and his favorite lunches. It could have been a stressful time for him but you made it better. The next time I have a friend planning a surgery, I will offer to spend time with their kid(s), maybe just bring Snacks and a movie.

The uncrustables were a good idea. I had no idea how hard it would be to even just prepare food since I could not eat. Making a sandwich for my husband's work lunch was about all I could do. Not because I was tempted to eat, but because I was so uninspired to deal with food or to even touch it. All the cooking and freezing I did for myself ahead of time kind of went to waste. I am cooking again some now, but nothing like before.

Honestly yes. Your gonna be exhausted. I just had my surgery last Thursday and I have a 13 month old. I am absolutely exhausted. I went to work today 6 days post op and I am freaking tired. I guess it all depends on the person but i think your plate is full.

Honestly yes. Your gonna be exhausted. I just had my surgery last Thursday and I have a 13 month old. I am absolutely exhausted. I went to work today 6 days post op and I am freaking tired. I guess it all depends on the person but i think your plate is full.

Tiff1977--- My surgery is July 17th & I have an 18 month old and a 5 year old. What were the guidelines you were given as far as lifting your child? I'm kind of nervous on how we work the logistics of that one.

Tiff1977--- My surgery is July 17th & I have an 18 month old and a 5 year old. What were the guidelines you were given as far as lifting your child? I'm kind of nervous on how we work the logistics of that one.

Mine were no lifting anything as heavy as a gallon of milk until I met with him 3 weeks post op.

I had my surgery on 4/4/2012. So let me start by saying EVERYONE IS UNIQUE. Right after surgery I was out of it on morphine and slept most of the time. The next day was bad. I was in pain and nausea set in because of the morphine. I had to do the swallow test and that was pretty bad too. All those feelings were the next day after surgery. That evening I felt much better watched TV in my hospital room and the nausea went away. The next day I felt even better now that I was off the morphine the nausea was gone and I had some apple juice. I ended up staying 2 nights before going home. No complications. Now about the pain, feels like I did some serious stomach exercise. First week energy wise... I took 2 hour naps EVERYDAY I had a friend stay with me that first week and on day 9 we went out to SAMs club and walked around for an hour and a half! I was so tired on the way back home I swore I was going right to bed for a nap but when I got home I felt so full of energy it surprised me. My friend went home that weekend and I started feeling better. By day 14 I was out and Around, cooking And going up and down stairs. If your hubby will be with you for the first week you will be fine. Don't do anything for a week except for drink your protien and water and nap. In 2 weeks you will turn that corner and feel great. I am about 3 months out now. I feel normal like nothing happened. I am down a little over 50LBS this weekend I crosses over to regular misses sizes and I have so much energy! Good luck to you and I wish you a quick recovery.

Even if you had your original date . You won't feel 100 per by aug I had my surgery 5/15 and still hurts to eat . And my dr only went through my navel no other insicions . It is the after math that is taking so much time