How do you occupy a Husband.

Maybe he can re-design a bit of the garden?

I don't know how big your acreage is but when I was a gardener, I had to move things most years as the soil got exhausted (I usually put spuds and clover in .)

I particularly loved designing a rockery and choosing what plants to put in. I got handsome young men to bring in the rocks - I just did the good bit and planted to flowers. It was only 2m by 1m but I loved it.

PS: I did mean working it out on paper, whilst recuperating, not actually going out there and digging !

Marquetry, kept my very active husband busy for ages. And you get something nice to display at the end.

My partner has been in the same boat, health wise. He has been doing up a much loved dolls house for our GC which has been in the family for 75 years and needed an update. He has had lots of fun planning new frontages, lighting and bathrooms - and consults with the present owner at every stage.

Definitely take this opportunity for him to help with cooking. He can still peel potatoes, carrots, chop cabbage, stir meat etc. etc. all within his capabilities. He can make his own tea and coffee, you are a wife not a waitress service.
However, having had major abdominal surgery (a friend called it a "guts out" op (!) the best thing he can do is walk! With coaxing from my husband, I could walk 2 miles within 3 weeks of my op, and felt better after each walk as any fluid/puffiness goes down when you walk, as it gets the circulation going. So why don't you BOTH go for a walk together?

Erotically.

LOL 24/7?

When my husband had the same surgery, he walked down the garden twice the next day. The day after that he walked up the road and back. He is 83. It is important to keep moving after an operation so you don't develop DVT.
I have had several major abdominal operations. I make myself walk down the ward the day after, instead of lying in bed feeling sorry for myself. I'm sure it helps a speedy recovery.

My husband likes puzzles such as the middle of the Daily Mail. How about a colouring book and some pens or even a box of watercolours and some paper. Really cheap in The Works

Have you heard of the Shed Association? They are all over the place. He could meet with other retired men and see what's on offer. It wouldn't have to involve heavy lifting and he might just meet other interesting blokes with time on their hands...

Haven't you any old photograph albums to go through, perhaps digitalise, or just write in names or dates or decide what you want to keep and what is going out?

Boxes of stuff to sort?

My husband is the quiet creative type who would happily draw and paint for hours. Now if it was ME who had to be inactive it would be quite a different story....!

Charleygirl5 love your comment. I live with someone who can navigate by the stars but all the sophisticated equipment in the world would fail to find the kitchen for him.

There are loads of really interesting garden websites and utube videos out there which he might like to look at to pick up tips ready for when he can get back in the saddle again. Some are of American origin but they are still very good. Get him to google Hollis and Nancy's Homestead. Lots of new ideas to think about.

Something arty? Maybe an adult colouring book? Watercolour painting? Pottery to paint for the garden?

My DH has had several surgeries all necessitating no exertion or lifting. It does pose a problem if they are normally active. I did have to become the 'head ' gardener and this infuriated DH watching me weeding, cutting grass etc. I also became the entertainment officer playing card games, chess any kind of board game at all as well as organising outings which did seem to be well received as out of normal environment. I did manage to get him to clean out some low level areas in his shed with me doing the moving of anything heavy he came across. Good luck and hopefully a speedy recovery for you both.

Not sure why you should expect to 'occupy' your husband. He is an adult and can surely decide what he wants to do with his time.

Some of you are so naughty I'm sure that won't help the hernias

BradfordLass I was just about to suggest a 'project' to redesign a part of the garden when you beat me to it. If that's his passion then he could look through catalogues to choose plants. Draw up the designs. Visit the garden centre to source plants.

As long as he doesn't start 'chomping at the bit' and start lugging stuff around before he is fixed.

Word of warning. We just had flooring/carpet laid and the fitter was recovering from a hernia. He told us he originally went back too soon. Set him back another 8 weeks. So be warned. Make sure it's all just catalogues and ideas at this stage.

I wish him well MiniMoon

And what's wrong with being driven to drink

Does he use the Internet? If so there are lots of free to use sites that have crosswords, wordsearch and similar puzzles on.

Card games? Sudoko? Could he write his memoirs?

YouTube kept me entertained for months during a rehab last year. There are learning videos on every subject and I am sure he would find lots on gardening which might even teach him something new.

My late DH used ago drive me to drink with non-stop boxed sets of old comedy series, MASH, Sharpe, the Avengers and various other programmes. He used his poor health as an excuse to stay at home and be inactive. The tv went on as soon as he was up, and stayed on until he went to bed. Arguing with him was futile, so I learned to live with it. The silence was deafening after he died! Our local hospice gratefully received his collection.
Surviving your DH’s enforced idleness for a few days is survivable, I’m sure.
I am not looking forward to my own 6 weeks of post hip replacement, when I won’t be allowed to drive. The family will all be at work during the day, so I will have to find ways to gently amuse myself. Gransnet will be invaluable then!

Crosswords. Sudoku. Gardening mags. And for you? Going out and escaping his grumbling inertia!

I read the OP with interest. I have an ulterior motive as I have a hernia and didn't know that keyhole surgery was possible so I will investigate. I wish my husband was still here to annoy me!

@MiniMoon Get him a tablet to plan out gardening ideas - walk abouts via google earth etc ..