How long did you need help after DS

It sounds to me like you have plenty of support with your husband there and with him not being there. If you really want him there for two weeks then change your date to November. I am thinking about having my surgery right before Thanksgiving so that everyone is home to help out if I need help. I don't have any small children other than my grandson running around so I should be good. If your mother can come and stay for awhile then that will also help with the children too.

I haven't had my DS surgery so I really don't know how I will be feeling yet. Have a great day!!!

Sophia

 How old are your youngest children?  My girls are 10 and 12.  My husband took off one week to help, and that was plenty.  At the end of week one, I felt up to walking them to the bus, cooking for them, and light kitchen duty.  My husband cont' to do any lifting and running to the store.  If your oldest drives, and she will/can do the shopping and lifting of groceries and laundry, I would say you will be fine.  This is of course assumes you have no complications.

I think you'd be fine after 1 week with kids that are 6 and older. 

One thing to consider, though, is that if you do it the week after Thanksgiving, the kids will be in school all day and you'll have more peace and quiet.  My biggest thing was getting tired quickly and needing to nap.  The kids being in school would make this easier for you, plus when your husband does go back to work you'd only have YOU to worry about during the day when they're in school......just sayin'......

Oh, and when I had surgery I had 4 small kids....7, 5, 3.5 and 2.  I didn't have them all to myself until 3 weeks out and, again, my only issue was getting tired.  I could have done it sooner, but I didn't have to (so why?).

I did actually think about them being in school as another plus to having it in November , but they do go back on the 5th so it will be 2 days after he leaves until they back. 

My recovery was very rough.  There was no reason it should have been:  I was a healthy lightweight going in for a virgin surgery.  You just never know.

I'd say plan for having as much help as you can get for 6-8 weeks, but on the very likely chance you'll only need help for a week or two, people can go back to their lives.  Having your hubby there the first week you get home is when you'll want him around the most.  Other than that, the other family members should do just fine for help.

I had an open, and I needed help with my 4 little ones a bit beyond 3 weeks.