I know that everyone recovers differently and is per drs orders but I am wondering what to expect after surgery as far as taking care of my 14 month old busy boy. He is pretty good about playing on his own, I am just concerned about carrying him down the stairs (we live in an old house so all of the bedrooms are upstairs) My husband leaves for work at 5:45 in the morning and doesn't usually get home until 6 or 8 at night. I'm not concerned about getting rest because he sleeps in pretty late and takes a 2 hour nap everyday.

Should I plan on having someone come stay with me to help out? And if so, for how long?

I hear you, i have two 18 month olds... Definitely have somebody to help... You need to be careful with lifting and even with diaper changes when kids can kick you right in the gut.. I will have my husband helping as we'll as his mom, occasionally. Hang on there and good luck!

My doctor told me no lifting anything over 8 pounds, that is one gallon of milk, for at least four weeks. He said that everything needs a chance to heal, and I could rip a staple line if I lift anything too heavy too soon. He did say that included children, and I informed him that I don't have any children. I'm guessing that would also include your child. You should ask your doctor, but you don't want to risk tearing anything and then ending up with a leaky gut.

I asked my mom to come over when my husband was working to help with my baby. It was hard because I missed picking her up and playing with her, but it was necessary. Also, a friend of mine picked up her child too soon and ended up back in the hospital. So I would ask for help.

With the stairs issue there are a couple of options.

Wake up with DH and have him take DS downstairs before he leaves. You could go down too and finish sleeping.

Turn a downstairs room into a makeshift bedroom and relocate your furniture.

Get someone to come over every morning and help DS downstairs.

Get a houseguest.

Put him in a laundry basket, whistle like Snow White, and have the woodland creatures help.

I don't have any clue how much a 14 month old weighs, but I know it's more than 8. My nephew was born weighing 8 and no one mentioned it being abnormal. It could be a while, meaning months, depending on how much he weighs.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Looks like I'll be begging my husband to take off work for a while or I'll be moving into my mom and dads for a while. ( they live a fall mile away! )

Half mile away***

I certainly do not want to risk my health!