What did you tell your young kids?

[charlotte girl 0]

Hi all!

I am scheduled to have my sleeve on 3/22... I have a 4 year old and 6 year old, who know nothing of the surgery, so far. For those of you with young kids, what did you tell them regarding your surgery besides, "mommy's going to get most of her tummy taken out, and I will only be drinking stuff for quite a while. Oh, and you can't jump on my belly".

I am usually very upfront with my girls, however I don't want to scare them, either!! Thoughts?

Thank you!

[Berry78 4,259]

Now, my youngest is 11, so it has been a few years, but honestly I think I would just keep it to what they will experience.

"Mommy has to go on a little trip for a few days. You will be taken care of by... I'll be back before you know it, and if you are good, I'll bring a present!"

Don't mention what is happening while you are gone, and when you do get back, just say you strained your belly and are sick, so that's why you are sore and resting.

There will be time enough later to be honest. At the moment they are really too young.

[Berry78 4,259]

Oh, and they won't notice your diet. If they offer you a bite of something, just tell them it looks really good, but your tummy is upset. Or you could say the doctor has you on a special diet. Either way would work.

[chula82 28]

I have an 8 year old and a 3 year old. My 8 year old know. I was honest with him and told him I was having surgery on my stomach so that I can lose weight and be healthy. He has seen me always dieting and working out and he knows how much I've struggled. We've never used the word fat or made it about looks. When we've discussed it it's been all about losing the weight to be healthy and have more energy to do more things together. With my 3 year it was easy, I didn't say anything because he doesn't understand but when I came home I did show him my stomach so he could see I had a "booboo" and therefore he would have to be gentle and I explained I couldn't pick him up for a while.

[ThickGirl5683 318]

I have a 18 yr old, 15, 12, 10... I haven't told them because they will tell the entire church, school etc and I'm just not ready to disclose my personal business. My surgery is on the 20th so I'm going to tell them I had Gallbladder surgery.

[EmmyJ 184]

8 hours ago, ThickGirl5683 said:

I have a 18 yr old, 15, 12, 10... I haven't told them because they will tell the entire church, school etc and I'm just not ready to disclose my personal business. My surgery is on the 20th so I'm going to tell them I had Gallbladder surgery.

That's what my mother told me after her RNY when I was 9, lol! None of us knew that years and years later I'd be getting sleeved....

[newnurse1999 7]

I have a 2 and 5 year ols. I told them I was going to get some things fixed in my tummy so I'd feel better. I also tried to prepare them by explaining that I wouldn't be able to pick them up for a few weeks but we could still snuggle. Most importantly I explained some ways it would benefit them like how I'd have more energy and be able to run around with them and play outside, wrestle (with my son), ride our bikes ect. and they like all of that because they will get a benefit too my date is 3/16 and can't wait to start my new life.

[charlotte girl 0]

I have a 2 and 5 year ols. I told them I was going to get some things fixed in my tummy so I'd feel better. I also tried to prepare them by explaining that I wouldn't be able to pick them up for a few weeks but we could still snuggle. Most importantly I explained some ways it would benefit them like how I'd have more energy and be able to run around with them and play outside, wrestle (with my son), ride our bikes ect. and they like all of that because they will get a benefit too my date is 3/16 and can't wait to start my new life.




I love this!! Best of luck to you, and enjoy your new life![emoji5]

[Berry78 4,259]

Maybe my kids were slower than average. They didn't have the capacity to really understand "eventually". In this scenario, the next day they would be like, "You ready to play ball now?!"

Children can become anxious at the thought of surgery, hospitals, doctors, and the like. That is why I would avoid bringing it up to little ones.

My kids are 11, 13, 16.. and they are all terrified for me. I figured they were old enough, and they are... but the concern is real.

The one thing I could do for them was to say the surgery is one day later than it will be. That way it is over and done with before they really start worrying. (Same fib to my hubby too! Lol). They all will think I'm busy shopping when I go under the knife. About the time they start thinking.. gosh, tomorrow is the day... I'll be contacting them that everything went fine and I'm doing great! (Touch wood!).

[Pescador 1,374]

My husband didn't tell his 31 yo son. Why would anyone consider telling a child? Good grief!

[erica_ozzy73 241]

I told all my kids I'm not sure what the issue is.
They didn't ask questions I just told them what is was for and that was that lol.

[erica_ozzy73 241]

Just read the young bit my kids are a lot older

[Sugarnspice 150]

I told my 13 year old and she wouldn't stop crying 2 days before until I came home. I didnt want to tell my 6 year old so I didn't. Once I got home I told him I had surgery and he looked so scared.

[Pescador 1,374]

7 minutes ago, Sugarnspice said:

I told my 13 year old and she wouldn't stop crying 2 days before until I came home. I didnt want to tell my 6 year old so I didn't. Once I got home I told him I had surgery and he looked so scared.

My God this is the most ridiculous post ever that you women need to tell these little kids.

[erica_ozzy73 241]

My God this is the most ridiculous post ever that you women need to tell these little kids.

I don't understand why they don't??....