Hi everyone,

I'm sure there are other threads with this topic, but I couldn't find them. I'm not very good with the search tool.

Anyway, I have 7 year old twins and a 5 year old that I are asking me questions about all the appointments that I'm going to. I've tried to give as little info as possible, and they know that I want to have surgery soon, but they don't know why.

I was just wondering what other's have told their children about the surgery. I pretty much eat what I want right now and I don't want them to ever think that they can eat what they want and just go get a surgery to fix it later.

Any ideas?

Hi,

My daughter is 9. I loosely explained to her what was happening. I also tell her that the reason I am making this decision is because I let my habits get out of control when I was very young and I want to make sure I get healthy so I can be around to take care of her for a very long time! I have also used it as a learning tool as to why we only have healthy Snacks and we stay active, etc. Her only concern was the possibility that something bad could happen to me in the hospital. I let her visit me for about 20 minutes. She still does a daily check on my incisions/scars and absolutely loves all the new foods we have introduced into our diet (greek yogurt, soy milk, etc.).

Your children are a bit younger than mine, but I think you should be honest with them. Simplify it as much as possible, but be clear. My daughter definitely does not have the perspective that you can have an operation as a solution. She tells me she wishes I hadn't had to do it, but that she will take good care of me and is glad I did something that will make sure I am healthy for a long time.

They are young enough to be happy with simple answers. You could probably just tell them that you are getting your tummy fixed and that will satisfy them. Tell them you'll be sore for a few days and won't be able to pick them up but that they can always climb into your lap.

A poster on another site tried to give her daugher (who was 6 or maybe 7 at the time) a simple description of what she was having done....only to hear her daughter tell a neighbor (very loudly) "My Mommy had a rubber band put around her tummy so she won't be fat!"

My great-granddaugher lives with me. She's 18 months old. She loves to eat whatever I'm eating.....Greek yogurt with honey, Soup, and Kelloggs whole grain crackers are her favorites, LOL. Oh, yeah, and cottage cheese. She sees that carton and after saying 'mmmmmmmm' she opens her mouth.