I had this surgery 4 weeks after the birth of my first son (by c/section). I had enough expressed for the day when I went in early morning, fed up until the op pre med, pumped the first feed after the op (once I was able to get up and about which was about midnight) and then fed bubs the next morning and left the hospital that day (afternoon I think). My surgeon had suggested I could even room in with bubs but given I wasn't in the maternity ward they required hubby to be there to look after him anyway so we thought it better they went home. Anaethitist said I didn't have to pump the feed if I didn't want too cause it was miniscul (sp??) quantity but given bubs was at home, I had had the morphine drip and I was exploding I just pumped and threw to be 100% sure and cause I was going to burst otherwise
Only had the one child and had help around but don't remember recovery being too bad other than the gas build up in the shoulder which stayed for the full six weeks for some reason (but that was just an ache).
got a bit of oozing from my belly button which may have been contributed to by the breastfeeding - tried to make I used a pillow between wounds and bubs immediately after - with a six mth old you may need to watch that but a bit of padding between you and bubs should prevent any hassles.
Given I'd had two GA's in the space of four weeks I recovered pretty well. Post op pain relief was the same brand as after the c/section so wasn't worried about the affects of that on bubs.
sorry if this is all over the place but just wanted to let you know have been there done that so to speak although with only bubs to look after. Can you work the op to tie in with your husbands days off cause I'm pretty sure after 3 or 4 days you'll be doing pretty well - i can't remember how well I was though for looking after a toddler though. I do know that 4 weeks later I had my inlaws for christmas and a christening and I was perfectly fine
I had this done when my dd was 8 weeks old. my wonderful mum was looking after dd and brought her to the hosp every 3 hrs during the day and i had expressed and froze before the surgery for the night time feeds.
also used the football hold to keep bub off my belly for a bit.
was only in for two nights, went home early on second day. but had mum there at home with me for a week which was very helpful.
GL with it all. it is a relief to be rid of the pain.
I also ha mine out when DD was 8 weeks. Recovery was fine. A little sore the next day but no more so than when I had mu c-sect. The only trouble I had was holding DD close to chest as it would put some weight on the top incision. just need to rest as much as possible for the first few days.
In regards to the breastfeeding, the main thing is to get the anethetist to write up plenty of fluids, to keep your supply up and then keep your fluids up once you can manage them orally. Also, many anethetist now say you don't need to pump and dump post procedure but if you feel more comfortable doing so, then pump enough for the first day. You can expect to be in for 1 night, most hospitals (incl prvate) don't keep you in longer than that...
My surgeon also said I could have DD room with me but keep in mind you will be groggy and probably not able to care for your child... and the nursing staff can't (policy).
Thanks for everyones help & advice. I had the op done on Thurs arvo (laprosocpic)and was back home agin by 10am yesterday. All went well with BF and I don't think my supply has been compromised which is the best news.
Pain has been manageable but strongest pain has been in tip of shoulders from the gas- much worse when I lay down at night so I slept with 4 pillows last night.
Am, trying to take it easy over the next few days. am still a bit groggy from the anaethetic and pain killers. Stomach incisions aren't giving me too much greif. feels more like I've done 1000 situps really so can handle that.
Definitely was no where near a bad as what I thought it would be- our minds can be our worst enemies sometimes.
Glad it turned out better than you had imagined, Beckstar! I hope you've got plenty of help at home especially over the next week, although I hear recovery time is usually pretty quick.
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