TOT Recovery/Lifting Restrictions?

Discuss your situation with your doctor

First, talk to your surgeon about your sugery. Sometimes situations alter cases, and the internet info is giving a general guideline. If the surgeon says you need to not lift longer, you'll need to talk to your husband and MIL about getting more help. Also consider asking your family and friends -- most people can take a day off work or half a day to help.

That said, I have a friend -- the Dad -- who was doing "Mister Mom" while his wife finished grad school, and they lived on nothing. They had twins and a baby. He tour his rotator cuffs and the Doctor told him no lifting. He laughted in the doctors face and looked at the twins who were coloring in the corner of the doctors office and the baby who was asleep in the stroller -- there in the doctor's office. He told his wife -- took time off of her assistantship, but he lifted the shoulders healed and life went on. His shoulders took longer to heal than if he hadn't lifted, probably -- who will ever know. He may not be 100% now -- he was in his 40s when this happened. He wasn't going to ever feel like he did when he was 20, that's life. Fastforward 7 years, they moved to VT. The Mom stays home with the kids, and he works full time. He works a lot, but he still has a great close relationship with his kids. He credits it all to the time he spent with them when they were little. He knows he isn't around as much as he would like now, but that early time gave them all such a connection, that it still works. Also, now the Mom spents a lot of time with the kids, and has a great closeness with the kids, that she didn't have so much when she was in grad school.

It works. You'll survive, and we all do the best we can. Hang in there!

I have not had this before, however I had a hernia repair when my kids were small and coulf not pick them up either, so I know the fear of how am I going to take care of my kids. Believe it or not it gets easier, and you will manage. The 1st week is when the most healing is done. Practice now and teach you 3.5 yr old to help. Practice being in positions that are comforatable and usful for play and changing baby for long periods of time. If your 3.5 yr old can HELP pick up the baby for small things then I would get her practicing now. I do not mean let he pick the baby up on her own, have her do it with you as a complete back up and partial help this will lighten the load and you are there and very ready if she lets go.

I have a 4 yr old that picks up my 14 month old all the time and I flip out every time, but it is amazing what he can do. He changes my neighbor's 3 yr old's diaper, he feeds my 14 mo old he does so much. try her out now you are well and see what you can work out.

You need to talk to your doctor again about recovery time. This is exactly why I am NOT having the sling procedure done b/c my doctor said I can't lift anything over 10 lbs for at least 6-8 weeks after surgery. I have a 2 yo who still sleeps in a crib and I wouldn't be able to lift her out after surgery. Plus, she's 2 and still likes to be carried around sometimes. I'm still going back and forth w/the sling procedure b/c I also heard that you really shouldn't lift a lot even after the recovery period. That's not good b/c I workout lifting weights to keep in shape. Also, I've read if you lifted too much too soon after surgery, you could cause more damage. So, I'm still researching what I'm going to do but since I'm putting it off for another year (when baby is 3 yo) I still have time to research the after effects. Definitely talk to your doctor or get a second opinion from another one.