Any tips on how to comfort my little ones other than picking them up ?

Everyone is right when they say sight moderately low. The Dr probably gave you instructions not to lift that much weight anyways. I got 3 feet of intestine out and had 86 staples, from a few inches above navel to the pubic area and I was also scared of "popping" but those suckers really hold! I used my foot a lot to get my son into bed with me( by using it as a lever under his bottom as he tried to lift himself up) and we watched movies for a few days when he was not in daycare- tv did not kill him. lol. Let them cuddle into your side and hold them and rub their backs and shoulders. Hope you have a fast recovery!