Question:
I am wondering if I can return to grooming pets after my open RNY??

I have an incisional hernia from lap gallbladder removal , its allready been repaired once before. My family Dr and a general surgeon both told me to quit grooming sice the hernia returned. I am having the hernia fixed along with the RNY. Grooming involves a lot of lifting, bending, standing and some wrestling. The surgeon who is going to do my RNY said that I should be able to groom after surgery so long as I dont lift until I am fully healed. Anybody out there in a similar field with experience or advice??    — dinaraley (posted on January 27, 2001)

January 27, 2001
Hi Dina, I don't have the same vocation, but I would advise you to wear a binder, or one of those support back braces. Always wear an undershirt under the binder, or brace - that way it won't irritate your skin. I had a hernia after my RNY. So,I had a binder put on in the OR room after the hernia repair, and TT, and I believe it made a world of difference. Good luck with your surgery --
   — CohenHeart

January 27, 2001
regardless of surgery type (lap or open) we all have lots of internal healing to do. We should refrain from lifting anything over 10 pounds for 2 months and NO vacuuming during this period. Oh, I know some people don't heed this advice, but I do know that some get hernias and wish they had heeded it. I had a gallbladder incisional hernia repaired twice. I know what I'm talking about. Take care, I bet you can groom later, but I'd wait a long time! (or stick with tiny toy poodles!) Maybe you could be the manicurist for those blue toenails and put the bows in their hair! LOL
   — Cindy H.