When was your "lifting restriction" lifted?

[Nicole222]

I am one month out as of this coming Tuesday and the Dr. lifted my lifting restriction yesterday.  I am kind of nervous about it b/c my son weighs 35 lbs--he's only 22 months old and still needs to be lifted quite a bit.  When was your restriction lifted??

[Jim Scott]

Nicole:

My doctor never actually said my lifting restriction was rescinded but he did say I could 'resume my normal activities' after three months.  Because I don't have a job or hobby that requires heavy lifting (he asked about that) I assumed that this meant I could exceed the 15-pound lifting restriction, and I have...frequently...without any negative consequences. 

I won't presume to argue with a physician but one month post-op sounds a little premature to begin lifting.  Unless you're a very muscular woman. lifting a 35-pound baby is going to be a bit of a strain.  While stitches usually heal fairly quickly, the skull still has a lot of mending to do.  To be on the safe side, I would let the doctor know your concerns about lifting a 35-pound baby on a regular basis.  He may say that this is no problem - but he may advise against doing it frequently, for long periods of time or at any time.  You won't know if you don't ask the specific question.  I would suggest that you call him on Monday and do so.


Jim

[lori67]

Nicole,

I think on my discharge paperwork it said something about restrictions for 6 weeks.  Like Jim, I don't specifically remember my doctor saying I could go ahead and lift things, but he did say I could do anything I wanted (he was wrong, by the way, because I still can't play the piano... ).  I think that was at my one month check up also.

I'd ask him about it, since I know how much kids need to be picked up.  I know I was lifting things much sooner than I should have been - and I don't encourage this - but I tend to be a very non-compliant patient anyway. (nurses... go figure).

Lori

[Kaybo]

Lori~
How do you come up with this stuff?  Your brain must be an amazing thing to look at -- I bet there are wires everywhere!!!   

K

[Dan]

Nicole,

My Dr. didn't allow me to go back to work for 3 months because I have to lift 20-25 Kilogram (44-55 lbs) packages at work.  At 2 Months though I started a slow work up program with my physical therapist so that at 3 months I would have no problem with 55lbs. 

I had a bad experience after hernia surgery 13 years ago.  My then three year old daughter, the day after surgery climbed up on the back of the couch and jumped and said daddy catch me.  Needless to say I had terrible pain and swelling for days. 

Even though alot of times I don't like to hear what the Dr.s say I have learned to accept what they recommend.  I would say give your Dr. a call and ask.

Dan in Germany 
 

[cmp]

Hi Nicole--

I hope you are feeling stronger and more energetic by the day!

Just wanted to chime in with what's been suggested above: Since lifting your son would be frequent/regular activity, it seems really important to clear with your doctor that he's okay with you lifting that much weight so soon! I don't remember even getting any restrictions 20 years ago (thank goodness nothing went wrong!), and was lifting my 12 month old daughter as soon as I could pick her up without us both flopping over--but she was a pipsqueak not to mention half as young as your son. 35 lbs is nothing to sneeze at!

Seems it might be better if you restricted your cuddles to seated ones with him on your lap? Anyway, I'd doublecheck with the doc...

[wendysig]

Lori -
Coiuld you play the piano before your surgery?  If not, that might explain it!

Wendy

Sorry for hijacking your thread Nicole, I couldn't resist.  I haven't had surgery yet, so I can't answer your question about lifting but I hope you are feeling better.

Wendy

[lori67]

No, couldn't play the piano before either, but he said I could do ANYTHING!!!  I think he should have been more clear on that.   

Kay, yes, I'm quite sure my brain is an amazing freak of nature.  All the wiring probably looks alot like what's running behind my computer desk at the moment - just a giant tangle that we don't dare move because who knows what hooks up to what!  Ah, well, my brain and my computer usually get the job done, so I can't complain.

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

Nicole -

I don't recall the exact number of weeks of my lifting restriction - but I do know it was somewhere between 4 & 6 weeks.

If you are concerned that lifting your son might be an issue, then take it slow.  It's like when my doctor first said I could drive again.  He was quick to follow that statement with "don't start out with a cross country trip; go around the block a few times first and see how it goes". 

So, I'm echoing his advice.  If you have no problems lifting your son, keep doing it.  If you have problems, wait a little while longer.

Good luck,

Jan

Oh, and BTW, guys - I am one up on Lori here, because I can play the piano.  Ha!    In fact I have a piano currently collecting dust in my house, even as we speak.  And K, Lori's brain is wired amazingly 

[martyc]

Dr. Mastrodimos told me I couldn't lift my 26 pound son for a month.  It hasn't quite been a month, so I am being safe.  I did lift a semi-filled laundry basket and regretted it.  The pain went right to my head, so I'm sticking to my month restriction and letting other do the lifting. 
Hope that helps.
Marty