RNY with a toddler at home

I am scheduled for 6/16. After reading do many depressing posts today and with already having second thoughts, I am really questioning surgery. My main concern is having a 2.5 yr old at home. How hard is the recovery and lifestyle with a little one at home? My husband is a stay at home Dad so she is taken care of, but she is a mama's girl and won't understand my early limitations. Thoughts?

My son was 11 months and I looked after him myself - needs must, I suppose.  2.5 yr old will be a breeze - the only limitation you will have is not being able to pick her up!   My baby just climbed up to me once I was sitting down - at least your daughter will be able to understand what she can and can't do.

I am a month post-op. I have a 9mo old, 2 yr old, 4 yr and 6yr old...it will be difficult at first. I had recently stopped breastfeeding, so my daughter was very clingy. I had to have help lifting her at first. We started keeping a playpen in our room. My 2 yr old son was upset that it took me a little while to get things done, and I had never realized how much her would hit/pat my tummy to get my attention. Needless to say, that was a very fast behavior modification. My big kids are huge helpers. I had two days of help around the house, but my husband had to return to work. I would prepare and  freeze meals to make it easier. Good luck! You got this!

I'm close to being 4 weeks post op and my daughter is just over 2.5 years old. My parents were here with us for the first week, which really was the hardest part.  Having them around meant my husband could go back to his job-with a very early start time and a really late stop time without really impacting her day to day life.

The second week was a bit hard as my parents had to go-but luckily since I work I could take my daughter to her normal day care, then rest up the rest of the day.  Get her in the evening from day care and entertain her fairly easily until my husband got home.  Most nights I cooked either frozen foods my mother or I put up before my surgery so dinner was easy.

I told my little girl up front that I had some big "boo-boos" and that I was really sick. She seemed to take things well and only had difficulty at bath time since I couldn't lift (I also had a hernia repair). But we made it through. That was one of the reasons that I took my time in getting my revision done, because I was concerned about my daughter. But I finally decided that it was now or never.

In hindsight the post-op period where you are at your worst is REALLY short. Don't let that hold you back. Rely on your husband and be clear with your little one about what's up with you.  I was surprised at how well my daughter adjusted to things.

Thank you for sharing! I know in the long run the health benefits outweigh my initial fears, but I am a worrier by nature. Your experiences were appreciated!