Recovery time and having a 2 yr old...a few questions for VSGers
Ok, Well I've been doing my research on wls for about 6 months. I had strongly considered the lap band but after reading and research think the VSG is the way to go. I'm getting excited but not overly excited because I don't know if my insurance will cover the sleeve (I have bcbs of La). So my questions are this...
1. What is the recovery time. I would like to have the surgery in the next few months. As a teacher I would have to do it probably on my spring break...is being off one week going to be enough. I could wait to the summer (avoiding taking too many days) but I'm anxious and ready to do this.
- ALSO...I have a 2 year old has anyone had surgery with having a little one like this, from what I understand I won't be able to hold her for weeks.
2. Have you found there are foods that you can't eat now...or what are the food limitations with VSG.
Well I thought I had more questions than that, I'm sure when I walk away from the computer they will come to me...
Any and all advice is welcom
1. What is the recovery time. I would like to have the surgery in the next few months. As a teacher I would have to do it probably on my spring break...is being off one week going to be enough. I could wait to the summer (avoiding taking too many days) but I'm anxious and ready to do this.
- ALSO...I have a 2 year old has anyone had surgery with having a little one like this, from what I understand I won't be able to hold her for weeks.
2. Have you found there are foods that you can't eat now...or what are the food limitations with VSG.
Well I thought I had more questions than that, I'm sure when I walk away from the computer they will come to me...
Any and all advice is welcom
This is my honest experience and opinion! For number 1. I also have BCBS of LA, Dr. Hargroders office told me that they do not cover any WLS, unless your BCBS is a "federal" being a teacher, I would guess federal if your in the public school system 2. I am 27 with a starting BMI of 42i****ook a week and a half off, I did remain very tired after I went back to work. I am a Home Health Nurse, and my job is not physically straining. I am in no way trying to discourage you from this, I just want you to be fully informed. 3. My son turned 4 just a month before my surgery, it was very scarry going into this knowing I can't lift or hold my son for 1 month!! I talked to him and explained that mommy will have some bo-bos on her belly, and she won't be able to carry or lift you! He demonstrated lots of understanding, granted he has 2 years on your child. I decided to tuffen up and deal, my husband and family is very very supporting, which helps lots!! The hardest part of post-op and no lifting, was one day my son fell, his leg slipped between the trailer and the porch, I naturally wanted to just pick him up and "cuddle" him, I had to realize that I can't do that for a little while and coach him up and then check out his leg, without lifting. It is challenging how to deal with no lifting and having a toddler, make sure you have a good support system, and lots of help readily avaliable! 4. Not tolerating certian things varries from person to person, It just depends on you and your body post-op!
Hope this helps,
Crystal
Hope this helps,
Crystal
MY EASTER GOAL IS BELOW!
My toddler was 18 months when I had my VSG. It was a challenge, but we got thru it. The first few days, the kids stayed with their grandparents... if you have that option, use it! Especially the first 2 days or so... I was a zombie.
After that, my 11 year old daughter and 9 year old son did all the baby-lifting for me while DH was at work. A lot of the time, I'd just take the baby by the hand and lead her to where we had to be and holler "Baby Lifter!" and someone would come running! As for the time frame, I was told 10 days to 3 weeks before any lifting. I made it thru the 10 days, and after that still tried to get as much help as I could for about another week. In a crunch, by 10 days out, I would pick her up out of her crib, hold her hand, and we'd butt-bump our way down the stairs. Basically minimal lifting, and no carrying. After 2 weeks, things were pretty much back to normal. As for holding her, that was no problem; I'd just help her crawl up on the couch and she'd sit on my lap and snuggle. just was really careful about little elbows and knees!
My recovery time.... the first week was miserable due to the prescription pain meds. Once off those, I felt great. Had a minor setback at 3 weeks out because I was doing too much--I felt so good, it was easy to over do it. Other than that, it was pretty easy. My tonsilectomy when I was 23 was much worse than this!
As for food limitations... there isn't anything I can't eat. But there are a lot of things that just don't taste nearly as good as I remembered them to taste. Am I complaining? No. It's a lot easier to say no to a powdered sugar donut when they now taste like chalk. Anything really sweet is just "too much." Previously, I've always had a really hungry sugar tooth. Now, not so much. I don't know the medical reason behind my tastes changing but I will certainly take it.
After that, my 11 year old daughter and 9 year old son did all the baby-lifting for me while DH was at work. A lot of the time, I'd just take the baby by the hand and lead her to where we had to be and holler "Baby Lifter!" and someone would come running! As for the time frame, I was told 10 days to 3 weeks before any lifting. I made it thru the 10 days, and after that still tried to get as much help as I could for about another week. In a crunch, by 10 days out, I would pick her up out of her crib, hold her hand, and we'd butt-bump our way down the stairs. Basically minimal lifting, and no carrying. After 2 weeks, things were pretty much back to normal. As for holding her, that was no problem; I'd just help her crawl up on the couch and she'd sit on my lap and snuggle. just was really careful about little elbows and knees!
My recovery time.... the first week was miserable due to the prescription pain meds. Once off those, I felt great. Had a minor setback at 3 weeks out because I was doing too much--I felt so good, it was easy to over do it. Other than that, it was pretty easy. My tonsilectomy when I was 23 was much worse than this!
As for food limitations... there isn't anything I can't eat. But there are a lot of things that just don't taste nearly as good as I remembered them to taste. Am I complaining? No. It's a lot easier to say no to a powdered sugar donut when they now taste like chalk. Anything really sweet is just "too much." Previously, I've always had a really hungry sugar tooth. Now, not so much. I don't know the medical reason behind my tastes changing but I will certainly take it.
I was fine from day one. everyone is different as you know. I was just on slow speed for awhile. If I worked I could have went back after a week.
my son was almost two when I had surgery and he is a big boy! I did not lift him for a month. In the weeks before surgery I taught him to climb in the van and carseat and eat at the kitchen table instead of his highchair. I also taught him how to climb in his crib with the help of me and a rocker for naps when no one was home. His dad or sister put him in his crib at night and got him out of his crib in the morning. we did fine.
Unfortunately I can eat anything and its more unfortunate that I tried lol after the first month of liquids and mushies. You just learn to eat a healthy diet. High protein of course, low carb and watch your fat
I had a great experieence from the beginning. The only difference now from pre-op is I cant eat as much and Im 75 lbs lighter!!!
my son was almost two when I had surgery and he is a big boy! I did not lift him for a month. In the weeks before surgery I taught him to climb in the van and carseat and eat at the kitchen table instead of his highchair. I also taught him how to climb in his crib with the help of me and a rocker for naps when no one was home. His dad or sister put him in his crib at night and got him out of his crib in the morning. we did fine.
Unfortunately I can eat anything and its more unfortunate that I tried lol after the first month of liquids and mushies. You just learn to eat a healthy diet. High protein of course, low carb and watch your fat
I had a great experieence from the beginning. The only difference now from pre-op is I cant eat as much and Im 75 lbs lighter!!!
~Andrea~
For the toddler thing---my experience was a cake walk. I explained that mommy had boo-boos---then showed them. I told them no jumping and running into Momma or time outs would happen. Instead of picking them up, I sat on the floor or my very low couch and made the kids crawl up into my lap---kinda made a game of it. I was allowed to pick them up, but not carry them after a few weeks. All in all, that was pretty smooth.
RhondaRoo 256/235.5/131.8/120.0
Never, Never, Never Give Up --Winston Churchill
Never, Never, Never Give Up --Winston Churchill
Hi, rjsmommy
I had surgery on a Friday and was back to work the next Tuesday, light duty, no lifting. A week would have been better. Not for this surgery, but for a previous surgery when my twins were 18 months old, I just told my kids that I couldn't pick them up. They climbed up on my lap when I was sitting down, no problem. They also understood not to poke my tummy (after I showed them my scar). At that age they whined a bit, but they really did understand my not picking them up.
I haven't had any food limitations, really, except that the protein shakes really don't sit well. I drink SlimFast low carb and Atkins Advantage ready-to-drink shakes more often than mixing my own powdered drinks, as they seem to go down better.
Best of luck!
I had surgery on a Friday and was back to work the next Tuesday, light duty, no lifting. A week would have been better. Not for this surgery, but for a previous surgery when my twins were 18 months old, I just told my kids that I couldn't pick them up. They climbed up on my lap when I was sitting down, no problem. They also understood not to poke my tummy (after I showed them my scar). At that age they whined a bit, but they really did understand my not picking them up.
I haven't had any food limitations, really, except that the protein shakes really don't sit well. I drink SlimFast low carb and Atkins Advantage ready-to-drink shakes more often than mixing my own powdered drinks, as they seem to go down better.
Best of luck!
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