MindiJean

I am a bladder cancer survivor. I had my bladder removed in March of 2011, after months of chemo. I was also concerned about what will happen if the cancer returns. But not concerned enough to NOT have the surgery. I had my yearly scans on the same day as my pre-op stuff, got the "all-clear", and made the leap.

So two possibilities suggest themselves but I'm not a doctor so.... One is nerve pain, the other is gas. Ten days out seems too late for gas pain. But it's worth trying some gas-x and a heating pad tonight. And then do pls call the doctor tomorrow. You should be healing these days and it's hard with pain, isn't it? I think she's 10 weeks out?

My surgeon also does testing for nicotine and will not do surgery if you test positive. I quit a three-pack-a-day habit back in February 2005, with the help of Wellbutrin. If I can do it, anyone can! Good luck!

You post as if you've already decided. I'm not sure what you're looking for in our opinions?

My first Thanksgiving, 8 days out from surgery. I had 1/4 cup pureed dark meat and two bites of a green bean. And I was full. I can't lie, I was eyeing the stuffing and mashed potatoes. I even put a small bit of sweet potato on my plate, mashed it up, and gave it to my husband. Even passed on the homemade pecan and pumpkin pies! I impressed myself!!

Do you recall how much weight you lost in the two weeks following your surgery? I'm going to my first surgical follow-up on Monday, which will be 12 days post-op. I don't know what is expected?

Yesterday was day 9 out from surgery. I spent five days in the hospital ICU after my November 11 surgery, with diabetic ketoacidosis. I am doing great now! Some pain from incisions, tons of bruises from 6 incisions, but started eating pureed in hospital and am now having three meals a day and two cups milk. Losing weight like crazy, blood sugars totally normal for the first time in years, I have energy, spunk, and feel like I was born again. Best decision ever. Yesterday was also the 34 year anniversary of a major event in my life and I thought that I would share: Yesterday it had been 34 years since our car accident. November 29, 1979, my older sister Lisa (13) and my younger sister Kathy Jo (8) and I (11) were waiting for the school bus across the street from our house. A car came around the curve, slid on black ice, landed on my two sisters and threw me across the street into our front yard. Lisa's ankle was severed and she has broken vertebrae; I had a broken arm and a concussion; Kathy Jo had almost every bone in her body broken. She died that day. To this day, I can see the car coming at us. I have always wondered, if I could have, why I didn't push Kathy Jo out of the way? That morning, she and I had a fight, about the last bowl of Cereal. I told her that I hated her and I wished she would die. 34 years later I remember those words so clearly. Choose your words wisely. I am very grateful that my Mom was in the kitchen when this happened, and never witnessed the accident. I am very grateful to the town of Simonsville and Chester, VT...for the kids that got off the bus that day to help take the car off my sisters, and for the girls on the bus helping me and going to tell my Mom what had happened. In the midst of all that turmoil, I feel like we were permanently bonded with the people of Chester, VT. Wonderful people in that town.

My friend who had her surgery three weeks before me and I were talking today about the difference in how far we've progressed. I am 10 days out, was never on a liquid diet or Protein shakes, ate pureed food while in the hospital and will be moving to soft food this coming week. She had her surgery three weeks before me, was on liquid and Protein Shakes for weeks before and after, and is just now starting to eat similarly to me...and she's scared to eat sometimes. I'm no rocket scientist, but I think that my surgeon has the correct plan going on. I have more energy than my friend, I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds a day, and I'm not scared to eat. That being said, I'm "only" eating 1/4 cup of pureed food, three times a day. And two cups of milk for Snacks.

I was sleeved on 11/20. Spent five nights in the hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis, in the ICU. Am ten days out, am eating pureed food, have from the start. Blood sugars are insanely low, off three meds, hope to be off a few more soon. I eat three meals a day of pureed Protein, two cups of milk, 64 ounces of Water. My tummy looks like a war zone and I still have pain from incisions. Up and about and have incredible energy now!!! Best decision EVER!!

My friend who had her surgery three weeks before me and I were talking today about the difference in how far we've progressed. I am 10 days out, was never on a liquid diet or Protein shakes, ate pureed food while in the hospital and will be moving to soft food this coming week. She had her surgery three weeks before me, was on liquid and Protein Shakes for weeks before and after, and is just now starting to eat similarly to me...and she's scared to eat sometimes. I'm no rocket scientist, but I think that my surgeon has the correct plan going on. I have more energy than my friend, I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds a day, and I'm not scared to eat. That being said, I'm "only" eating 1/4 cup of pureed food, three times a day. And two cups of milk for Snacks.

LOL....my surgery was on the 20th! But this is a good reference for others as well I guess? I'm going to look through it again and see what I REALLY needed.

I am making a list of things I need to stock up on before my surgery on November 20. So far, I have: Gas X strips Flinstones chewables Biotin Biotin shampoo and conditioner High Protein Soups Drinking bottle with measurements on outside, for liquid intake zofran What else?

I was so grateful to not have had open surgery, I almost forgot to count! I have six incisions. The one on my far right has a HUGE bruise to go along with it. The one on the far left is the most painful.

I am Mindi. I was sleeved on November 20. Eating pureed foods at the moment. Had some complications in the hospital and ended up in ICU with DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis. Not fun. Doing good now. Off three meds so far. Down 12 pounds in the past week. Loving this. Here is my story: This is what we consider to be our "last chance" at having a child in our lives. I'm 45 now. I've lost three children and two years ago lost my bladder and uterus to cancer. We've fostered children for years and had four failed adoptions. Last chance adoption. If we can afford it. My life reads like a soap opera. When I was 11, my sisters and I were hit by a car while waiting for the school bus. My little sister Kathy didn't survive. I was raised by a wonderful Mom and an abusive alcoholic Father. And then I married an abusive, drug addicted husband. Stayed with him for 12 years until I had the strength to leave. In 2001, I met Mark, the most wonderful man ever. We married in 2003. In 2005, at the age of 37, Mark and I conceived our first child. In 2006, I gave birth to our son Daniel, too early for him to survive. Later that year, we lost our second child. Fast forward to 2010 (time spent between 2006 and 2010 resulted in our becoming foster parents and having three failed adoptions). At the age of 42, I found out I was pregnant. Went for an ultrasound, where they found numerous tumors in my bladder. I lost the baby and started chemotherapy in Dec 2010. In March 2011, I had my bladder surgically removed, along with my uterus....losing any chance of having our own baby. But, in the end, I was/am currently cancer-free. We named our third baby "Angel" for saving my life. We became licensed as foster parents again, and had a 15 month old baby girl placed with us. On March 1, 2013, after living with us for over a year, baby girl was taken and given to an Aunt in another state. Failed adoption number 4. Through all of this, my husband Mark has been the best friend, nurse, Father, husband, caretaker ever. He deserves to have a child. WE deserve to have a child. We've looked into adoption and have started the process, which could take years. I have recently undergone weight loss surgery, to regain my life. Best decision I ever made. Once I lose some pounds, I will be having a hernia surgery to fix the 14 inch hernia sticking out from my belly. And THEN I will live again!!! http://www.gofundme.com/Help-Us-Be-A-Family

One week ago today, I was going into the OR at this time. Despite almost, ya know, dying and such and being very very unbelievably sore at the incision sites....best choice I ever made (other than marrying Mark). I am down 10 pounds since surgery, even with all the fluids they pumped into me. I am permanently off three meds so far. Blood pressure is stable, blood sugars are normal, life is good!!

Never liquid. My surgical team doesn't believe in liquid diets. No Protein shakes. They teach us how to eat "normal" from the start. Pre-surg menu was low carb, high protein. Today I had pureed eggs for Breakfast, pureed chicken for lunch, and pureed chicken w/ a touch of spaghetti sauce for dinner. Two Snacks of 1/2 cup milk.

I started pureed in the hospital, never had a liquid phase. I'm eating pureed eggs, tuna, chicken. I went into diabetic kenoacidosis, high blood sugars, was put into ICU, needed three blood transfusions. But all is good now! I feel good, except for the sore tummy!

Tonight is my last night of "real food" for quite some time. I chose to go gourmet and had tuna salad. Tomorrow starts my pre-diet of high Protein, low carb which basically translates into 4 ounces of fish, turkey or chicken for dinner, two eggs and two pieces of turkey bacon for Breakfast, and tuna, chicken or turkey salad for lunch. Two Snacks of 1 cup of milk with added powdered milk for more protein. I have it easy compared to many WLS patients. Most I know have to do weeks of Protein drinks and liquid diet pre and post. I like my surgeon's way better!

I have only found one product so far that isn't made with sucrulose or aspartame or any of those nasty, migraine-inducing, fake sweeteners. It's made by Jay Robb and it's an egg white powder made with Truvia. And it's expensive. Does anyone have other suggestions?

What clothing did you wear to and from your surgery? Same outfit? Something loose? I'm trying to decide on a dress or shorts or sweats? Am I going to want anything touching my stomach? Do I want something I can wear without undies when I'm discharged?

I am getting ready to have surgery on November 20. I've been told to expect at least two days in the hospital. Were you in and out in 24 hours or was your stay longer?

My surgery is tomorrow too!

Please give me some happy stories, success stories, no pain recovery stories.....feeling a bit nervous!

My doctor allows eating small Protein meal up until midnight night before surgery. No bowel prep.

Here's mine....one week before surgery. And my post-op.