Hi all,

I am currently waiting on insurance approval. In order to prepare I asked my surgeon how much time I would need to have a helper at home. He stated 3 weeks! He said if I had a desk job he would recommend 3 weeks off, longer for an active job. My question is this, my husband can probably get a week off, Do I need to hire someone for two weeks post op? My son is 10 and I can get rides to activities. I know everyone is different. I had neck and lower back fusion, anyone out there have Vsg and these two that can compare postoperative recovery? Or any stay at home Mom's that can chime in.

Thanks,

Uberbuffaloegal

Sorry I'm new didn't realize I was posting in insurance, reposted under questions.

Unless you have other medical issues I don't think you would need a helper at home, after the first week (bar any complications, [not to ill-wish]) you should be moving around pretty easily. My big incision was still sore after a week (but it was infected), but I could still get around. As long as you're not doing any heavy lifting etc it shouldn't be a problem. The bigger issue with getting stuff done earlier can often be that you just don't have the energy while on the liquid diet, but your son is 10 so he's not super young.

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by perforce

Unless you have other medical issues I don't think you would need a helper at home, after the first week (bar any complications, [not to ill-wish]) you should be moving around pretty easily. My big incision was still sore after a week (but it was infected), but I could still get around. As long as you're not doing any heavy lifting etc it shouldn't be a problem. The bigger issue with getting stuff done earlier can often be that you just don't have the energy while on the liquid diet, but your son is 10 so he's not super young.

Hi Perforce,

Thanks for sharing your experience. It really helps to know how others have fared. I'm sorry you had an infection, that is scarey. But glad to hear you were still able to get around. I didn't realize until today that you are really tired on the liquid phase. It makes sense, it just didn't occur to me. Thanks for the info:)

I was a SAHM, too. I didn't need any help at all. I was home 24 hours post op and driving the day after that. I was tired, but nothing more than that.

Unless you have other medical issues I don't think you would need a helper at home, after the first week (bar any complications, [not to ill-wish]) you should be moving around pretty easily. My big incision was still sore after a week (but it was infected), but I could still get around. As long as you're not doing any heavy lifting etc it shouldn't be a problem. The bigger issue with getting stuff done earlier can often be that you just don't have the energy while on the liquid diet, but your son is 10 so he's not super young.

Hi Perforce,

Thanks for sharing your experience. It really helps to know how others have fared. I'm sorry you had an infection, that is scarey. But glad to hear you were still able to get around. I didn't realize until today that you are really tired on the liquid phase. It makes sense, it just didn't occur to me. Thanks for the info:)

I haven't been too bad actually, I'm going on the reports of others, but I don't have people to look after or a home to run, so my life is easier than most post-op.

Sent from my SM-G900H using BariatricPal

You have a 10 year old? I'd say about 5 days. I had help for a week but started doing everything for my kids by day 4 because the kids were done with "not mommy". My kids are 3 and 6. I was off painkillers by day 2, so driving wasn't an issue.

My surgeon said I could go back to my desk job after a week but I chose to take 2 weeks, because I can. And I never get that kind of time off.

You'll be fine. I didn't have anyone after the day I came home. Your kiddo should be fine. You might want to do some good planning - make sure all laundry is done, have clothes picked out for a few days, have easy to prepare meals for him (sandwiches, microwaveable stuff), etc. I was driving on my second day home, so I could get kiddo from school, etc.

You have a 10 year old? I'd say about 5 days. I had help for a week but started doing everything for my kids by day 4 because the kids were done with "not mommy". My kids are 3 and 6. I was off painkillers by day 2, so driving wasn't an issue.

My surgeon said I could go back to my desk job after a week but I chose to take 2 weeks, because I can. And I never get that kind of time off.

Hi JH,

So glad to hear there are people who can stop meds right away. I know we are all different but I sure hope I can stop pain meds right away. Glad to hear driving was okay, that is my biggest worry, school pick up and drop off. Thanks for the info.

You'll be fine. I didn't have anyone after the day I came home. Your kiddo should be fine. You might want to do some good planning - make sure all laundry is done, have clothes picked out for a few days, have easy to prepare meals for him (sandwiches, microwaveable stuff), etc. I was driving on my second day home, so I could get kiddo from school, etc.

Hi DaisyAmy,

Thanks so much, I think my hubby will get a week off, but you never know. There was an emergency at work two days after my back surgery and he got called back in, and that was tough. So it's nice to know there are those that made it without extra help. So glad to hear there are several people who could drive a few days later. You know I hadn't thought about the clothes, lol. I pick out his clothes everyday, that might have been an unexpected glitch. Thanks again