33 years old with a 1 year old baby..... HELP

I am 34, with a 2 year old and a 3 year old. I am 3 weeks post op. My husband had the first two weeks off, my mum has had the next two weeks off and my mother in law has the following 2 weeks off. I can't lie it's been an emotional roller-coaster because I have never been one for sitting down. I do everything with the girls and although everyone has been amazing, it has been so hard watching people do what you should be doing. Don't get dis-heartened, it does get better! If I think back 3 weeks ago, I was a mess and I have a huge pain threshold! Look at your baby, it's what makes you determined to make a full recovery, accept any help that is possible and make sure that they put your baby on your good leg for a cuddle whenever possible, it's a great healer. I am completely on my own after 6 weeks as everyone has exhausted their holiday and I am extremely nervous so if you can afford a nanny/ home help tthen I would recommend it. Good luck.xxx

Welcome to the hippie club and understand your feelings. Lot of great hel on her and support so please don't be too frightened of the op and recovery. Great idea for home help etc, must be some in your area ?

There is so much to help you with in regard to your op. First of all is there a specific concern or info you would like to know ?. Fire away with as many questions as you want.

Very best wishes to you, all here to support you. I had since my op 8 weeks back. 

I can only imagine your fear - I had that too - and I am an oldie compared to you ... so come back here .... you are not alone .... BIG HUG - 

How was the pain after the op?

There is some pain but nothing compared to before surgery - Pain medication is given before, during ( Injected around the wound) and certainly after ... you will be pleasantly surprised, I promise ..

How long was you bed ridden?

Actually, way too short IMHO .... My surgery was late afternoon . next morning Phyical Therapist came and gor me out of bed  to start walking ... They will get you up and gpoing as soon as possible

Can you climb stairs?

There are no stairs in my home so I didn't practice doing stairs. My understanding is that they will not discharge you until you can climb stairs.

Are you able to sleep on the side the op was on?

No ... You are supposed to sleep on your back for a while ... maybe you can practice before surgery ???  I did sleep on the non-operated side though with a pillow between my legs - They showed me in the hospital how to do it ... Please ask them ..

Did you have injections in your stomach?

Yes ... 6 weeks ( I am in Holland) - not my favorite thing - I had to self inject - yig!!! but I am done ! my experience : the injection it self doesn;t hurt, just a bit of burning sensation of the fluid ..

How long was you in hospital?

My surgery was on Monday and I was home on Friday per my request - They wanted to discharge me Thursday but I really needed one more day and night .

It is scary ... it is  more the thought than the actual procedure - you will see ... 

DO come back here Melinda ...lovely people here ... 

Take care sweetheart - I wish I could take some of your fears away but also know that noone really can ... Peace and have faith .... 

B x

Im 7 weeks post op, 30 years old and have an 8 yr old daughter so a wee bit older than yours.

i have found it an emotional roller coaster but on the up.

my op was on the Friday evening, Saturday was moved into a chair, and then back into bed early evening, very heavily swollen so no walking for me. Sunday I was using a Zimmer frame to walk up and down the ward. Monday  I was on crutches up and down the ward and discharged Tuesday morning. I spent most the first week sat in the chair in the living room. My other half took a few weeks off work as annual leave followed by sickness so he could take care of me and daughter. I didn't have injections in stomach I had DVT socks and aspirin. pain relief was Tramadol for a few days with paracetamol and ibrufen. Then on week 2 I went knot codeine instead of Tramadol. Then slowed down to one a day at night with paracetamol and ibrufen. Then just paracetamol and ibrufen when needed now it's only every few days when I've done too much.

week one on 2 crutches. Week two on two crutches and you'll find a very emotional post on here from me about leaving the house. That was my lowest point. I was bursting into tears several times a day. It was like PMT on acid. My other half didn't know how to talk to me in case I cried and we had our first ever argument in 3 years. Week 3 1 crutch around the house but 2 when out now I had finally plucked up the courage to leave the house. Week 4 1 crutch around house and 2 out. Emotions started to settle down at this point. Week 5 signed off by doctor for 90 degree restrictions to be removed. No longer had to sleep on back. Told try to walk as much as possible with no crutches around house and just use 1 when out. Week 7 now and I haven't used my crutches at all for a week. I walked a mile and a half today with no crutches but have needed to take pain relief for the first time in 4 days.

its going to be hard. It's going to be an emotional roller coaster. You won't sleep properly for a few weeks. You are going to be exhausted. You some days won't want to get out of bed.

BUT...

you will see massive improvements from week to week. You will have your daughter to make you smile. Even though you can't get on the floor with her everything else will be the same. Loads of cuddles and playing. You will find funny little quirk ways to get round problems you didn't know could exist like itchy toes, putting your socks on, dropping your knickers when your on the loo.

Sat here now at 7 weeks I couldn't imagine feeling as good in myself now when I was 2 weeks. Find advice in this forum. 

Few things I recommend... Using a v shaped pillow too sleep on so you can't roll over, filling the freezer with pre made dinners or use a slow cooker lots. Ask your other half to take a little time off work.  Especially to start with. 

There re are a few other bits to think about like nappy rash from sitting too much and buy bigger kncikers for the first few weeks as you will swell up a bit. I hope what I have said doesn't worry you. I felt ill prepared and hopefully you won't be the same. This is a great support network. Use us! Xxx