Restrictions after banding

amom · March 11, 2007

I get my band on March 20th and was wondering what kind of restrictions you were given and for how long. As in lifting, house cleaning, driving, Etc. I need to be prepared and may need to arrange for some help with my granddaughter, I have three older kids 21,19,17 plus 3 younger foster children 14,13,6 at home to help, but what about when they are at school. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

amom · March 11, 2007

You were banded next week? LOL

I don't know where you got that from. I said I GET my band March 20th.

Davyna · March 11, 2007

I would definitely for sure give yourself at least a week. Two if you can swing it. I'm 11 days out and I feel up to most things (not sure about something like vaccuuming but maybe). I can lift more than I could before as well, although I still don't want to lift anything over 20 pounds if I don't have to.

It's really the first two to three days that it's hard to want to get up and get moving (it's important to do so though). Plan ahead as much as possible. Have all your Clear liquids ready to go in the fridge or the freezer so you don't have to go to the store or anything. I rationed all mine out into separate plastic containers and froze them, then would just pop one into the microwave when it was time to eat. Make sure you have at least 3-4 days of clean, loose clothing to wear. See if one of the oldest children can drive you to surgery and get your prescription filled while you are in recovery. You will need someone to drive you.

With so many older kids in the house, it sounds like you have a lot of help available to you. A 6 year old is old enough to not have to be lifted, and one of the older children could give him/her a bath and play with him/her. The only real problem I see would be driving the kids to school and activities, but the oldest three could maybe do that?

I would recommend making up a chart of chores and jobs for everyone to do while you are still pre-op. Talk to the older ones and ask them to help out as much as possible. It is, after all, pretty temporary, two weeks tops. Nothing major should have to be done while they are in school, their jobs can be done after that. There seems to be enough of them to handle all the work (unless some of them have jobs?). Maybe their employers, if they have them, would understand they need a few less hours for a couple weeks because mom is having surgery (most jobs young adults have would understand that).

You will still need to be slightly active post-op, focus on yourself by taking walks and sipping on your Clear Liquids. Make sure to walk a lot hun.. as this will help you get back into the swing of things all that much quicker!! Force yourself not to do any chores for a few days, if you are the kind of person that sees something that has to be done and just does it! The less physical work you do, the faster you will recover, and you won't risk hurting yourself. All you need to be doing the first few days is walking, eating, and healing.

Good luck!

(sorry so long, lol)

amom · March 11, 2007

Davyna Thank you for your post.

I forgot to say the granddaughter is only 6 months old. The two oldest are at college most of the day 8-4:30. I'm more concerned about when the younger ones are at school, and I'm alone with the baby, should I get someone to come in and help with her during the day.

I have all my food and the kids meals for 3 weeks prepared and in the freezer so in that aspect I think I'm set. The laundry can be done by the kids and most of the cleaning but I'm kind of a clean freak.

My oldest is going with me. We leave monday 3/19 and return friday night 3/23. My friend is staying with the others until I get back.

My hubby will be home the weekend I get back ( he'll leave on monday3/26) but will that be enough time for me to care for the baby myself?

Davyna · March 13, 2007

I forgot to say the granddaughter is only 6 months old.

Oh I see the problem now! How much does the baby weigh? It's going to be hard to lift her for at least a week. You said your hubby can cover till 3/26, I would probably plan on a babysitter for a few days after that, just to give yourself time to recover enough.

You should probably ask your doctor when you can lift the baby's weight again. I checked my discharge papers and it says to not lift anything over 20 lbs but it doesn't say for how long. But your incisions should be almost completely healed by two weeks....

A lot of "shoulds" and "maybes" in there! Definitely ask your doc.