INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It will likely take about four to six weeks to recover from an open hernia surgery. Laparoscopic surgeries have a much shorter recovery time of one to two weeks. Your medical team will give you detailed instructions on when you can resume normal activities. Until then, rest so you don't further weaken the fresh cuts in your abdominal muscles. Although you've just had surgery, it's important to get up and moving as soon as you feel ready. This jumpstarts the recovery process, but more importantly, it prevents blood clots. Both types of surgery will allow you to return to normal activities after two to three days. But you should not engage in any strenuous activity or lift anything over 20 pounds for one to two weeks. After open hernia surgery, you should avoid strenuous activity of lifting anything over five to ten pounds for three weeks. In both cases, defer to the judgment of your doctor when deciding when you can resume heavy lifting. There are technically no restrictions on diet after hernia surgery. However, some patients feel nauseous for a few days after surgery. In that case, begin with a liquid diet of water, juices, smoothies, and broths/soups. Transition to soft foods like bananas or mashed potatoes, and work your way back to a normal diet. Also start with smaller meals and work your way back up to normal sized meals. In both types of surgery, your incision will be covered in surgical dressing or steri-strips. If they're covered with gauze or Band-Aids, refresh them as needed. If the surgeon used steri-strips, leave them to fall off on their own. Keep the incisions dry for 2448 hours after surgery. Cover them in something like a "press 'n seal" kitchen product to keep them dry in the shower. After 48 hours, expose the incisions to running shower water, and pat dry gently. Then reapply fresh dressing. Do not allow the incisions to soak (bathtub, pool, ocean) for 1014 days after laparoscopic surgery or four to six weeks after open hernia surgery. Even if you are feeling well and appear to have no complications, it is important to make and attend a post-operative appointment with your doctor. This helps ensure that things are progressing well and minimizes risk for post-operative complications. During the procedure, the surgeon uses an anesthetic that paralyzes the bowel. As a result, you may be constipated for about a week after the surgery. The last thing you want to do after hernia surgery is strain during bowel movements and possibly do more damage. To prevent this, use an over-the-counter stool softener like milk of magnesia or Metamucil. If you don't want to use stool softeners, the best thing you can do is stay hydrated. Drink at least eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water per day. Drink prune juice and apple juice to naturally soften stool. Though hernia surgeries are very common, all surgeries come with a risk of complication. Contact your doctor if you have a fever over 101.5 F (38.6 C), pain or swelling in your calf, or have trouble breathing. Increased drainage from an incision and altered skin color should also be reported. But you should get to an emergency room immediately if you observe any of the following: Excessive bleeding from an incision Vomiting Change in mental status (fuzziness, wooziness, loss of consciousness) Inability to breath

SUMMARY: Rest and care for yourself during the recovery period. Take a light walk the day of your surgery. Limit intense physical exertion during the recovery period. Ease back into a normal diet. Care for your surgical incisions. Keep a post-operative appointment with the surgeon. Take stool softeners. Contact the doctor if you observe signs of complication.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: By this point in your life, you probably have an idea of which parent is more likely to give you a few bucks. On the other hand, if you need a substantial amount of money, approach both of them together. Let them talk it over before you even make your case. You also might ask both parents together if they tend to be more indulgent as a couple than as individuals. Don't: mention this to your friends, especially if they know your parents.Do: talk to your siblings if your parents end up giving you money. If you keep it secret and they find out, it could cause resentment. As much as you might like to think that your budget is no longer your parents' business, asking them for money makes it their business. They probably won't expect you to present them with a printed out spreadsheet of your projected and actual monthly expenses. However, giving them a rough estimate will go a long way in demonstrating that you have a mature relationship with money. Allowing your parents to see a basic breakdown of where your money goes may help them feel more confident in giving you money (as long as your expenditures aren't frivolous in their eyes). Include a list of activities you participate in to earn money, whether it be a job, a freelance writing gig, classes to further your education, etc. Your parents will want to see that you're making an effort, not just "mooching." Don't: lecture your parents about how to budget their money.Do: make sure they can afford what you're asking for without affecting their safety net. Show them how you are doing well in school. To make it even more enticing, show them how you even plan to improve. This makes your financial situation seem like a temporary problem, not permanent. It also makes you seem grateful for the support they have already shown you in your academic or early work career. Your parents may not deem it necessary for you to pay them back. They may instead see this as an investment on their part. However, telling them you are prepared to work hard to pay them back will further demonstrate your financial maturity. On the other hand, actually agreeing to pay them back for money will teach you valuable lessons in money management. You and your parents can negotiate the repayment plan as necessary: they may want the money sooner; they may want to charge interest, etc. Be willing to work with them to set up a repayment plan you're all comfortable with.
Summary: Consider whom you will ask. Prepare to talk about your budget and spending. Demonstrate your interest in school or work. Ask for a loan.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You should fill it about halfway, if not a little higher. A simple syrup is nothing more than a combination of equal parts granulated sugar and water, heated together until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrups are great for reducing the bitterness of alcohol and extremely sour juices. Pour all three liquids into your shaker and over the ice before securing the cap. The ice in the shaker not only cools the cocktail but also helps to combine the syrup into the alcohol and the juice. Continue shaking using your dominant hand, pointing the lid of the shaker away from you and anyone else, for 15 to 30 seconds. The strainer built into your shaker should suffice, but you can also double-strain your gin sour by pouring the liquid through a separate cocktail strainer, as well.

SUMMARY:
Fill the shaker with ice. Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass.