Hi All!

I wanted to start a thread for African-American sleevers (no worries I HEART all sleevers from the rainbow). I just thought, no scientific proof, that African-American sleevers may respond to the surgery different than our lovely non-African American sleeved sisters and brothers. I wanted to know if we had the same skin issue, hair problems, and other surgery related issues. Also, how to deal with the culture shock. African-American "soul food" may be something of the past... or not. So I was just looking for a space to voice culture related issues and concens.

PS- I TRULY :heart: ALL SLEEVERS.

I'm preop also, surgery scheduled for 6/18. I'm loading up on protein and I have been taking biotin for a few months. I just hear about folks losing hair and it freaks me out, especially with locks.

I'm preop also' date=' surgery scheduled for 6/18. I'm loading up on protein and I have been taking biotin for a few months. I just hear about folks losing hair and it freaks me out, especially with locks.[/quote']

I'm also June 18! There are a couple of June 2013 threads in case you wanted to join.

I'm natural and am prepared to go short (again!) if need be.

Hi All!

I wanted to start a thread for African-American sleevers (no worries I HEART all sleevers from the rainbow). I just thought' date=' no scientific proof, that African-American sleevers may respond to the surgery different than our lovely non-African American sleeved sisters and brothers. I wanted to know if we had the same skin issue, hair problems, and other surgery related issues. Also, how to deal with the culture shock. African-American "soul food" may be something of the past... or not. So I was just looking for a space to voice culture related issues and concens.

PS- I TRULY :heart: ALL SLEEVERS.

[/quote']

I feel the same, I would like to know more about the hair loss for the African Americans. I am using. Shea butter on my skin and it looks great. I also bought omega 3 liquid form to mix with my protein drinks so that I do not lose a lot of hair along with Biotin.

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My date is scheduled for July 1st. I was very excited but now am having second thoughts based on different Threads. Praying this feeling will pass. So Glad to have found this particular Thread????????????????????

My date is scheduled for July 1st. I was very excited but now am having second thoughts based on different Threads. Praying this feeling will pass. So Glad to have found this particular Threaddde03dde03dde03dde03dde03

A lot of people are stating they are having second thoughts. After surgery I was saying why did I do this, three weeks out I am feeling great and have lost 20 lbs. not to mention I am off my high blood pressure meds, and sleep Apnea machine. So I say to you go for it and start your new life feeling great. Remember take your vitamins and Protein. And when you speak to your doctor to see if and when you can take Omega 3 and Biotin it helps you from losing hair.

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Hello again my people, its been a while. I just wanna say to everyone who is having second thoughts about getting sleeved...... Yes it is a tough journey in the beginning, only because you're making a life altering decision. Not only are you changing your appearance, you're changing your health and mentality. With that said.......think of this , for my health alone it was well worth it. But as a bonus I feel better than I ever have. My diabetes.....gone........high blood pressure.....gone......sleep apnea.......gone. so if you're having second thoughts just re-evaluate your personal situation, and see what it would be worth to you. Its your life and only yours. But I can honestly say its the best decision of my life so far. Iwas sleeved 9/04/12 and i started out at about 419-420lbs, today I'm 203lbs. And no worries if u follow the docs and dietitians advice plus trial and error, you will find what makes your journey more comfortable. Oh and the changes don't take long to get used to the first month is the hardest but its also the time you lose the most. So family I say think about it, and pray about it. You'll find your answer. Well wishes to everyone sleeved and good luck to those on the way.

Hello again my people' date=' its been a while. I just wanna say to everyone who is having second thoughts about getting sleeved...... Yes it is a tough journey in the beginning, only because you're making a life altering decision. Not only are you changing your appearance, you're changing your health and mentality. With that said.......think of this , for my health alone it was well worth it. But as a bonus I feel better than I ever have. My diabetes.....gone........high blood pressure.....gone......sleep apnea.......gone. so if you're having second thoughts just re-evaluate your personal situation, and see what it would be worth to you. Its your life and only yours. But I can honestly say its the best decision of my life so far. Iwas sleeved 9/04/12 and i started out at about 419-420lbs, today I'm 203lbs. And no worries if u follow the docs and dietitians advice plus trial and error, you will find what makes your journey more comfortable. Oh and the changes don't take long to get used to the first month is the hardest but its also the time you lose the most. So family I say think about it, and pray about it. You'll find your answer. Well wishes to everyone sleeved and good luck to those on the way.[/quote']

You are totally rockin that sleeve Miistamunk!!!

I can concur with Miistamunk. It is a great decision and though you ladies may fear hair loss it's a tiny price to pay for a healthier body and more confidence. I am losing some hair, and I'm natural. It did freak me out a bit to see my hair shed like it was but its starting to stop and luckily I had a nice full hair to begin with. So though it's a little thinner it's still a nice length and I'm grateful it started easing up before I really started to panic, lol. I was sleeved 1/8/13 @ 335 lbs. Today I'm 270 so that's 65 lbs in 5 months. It could've been more but I let my relocation mess up my exercise and eating habits. Going all day not eating (easy to do post sleeve), not leaving time to exercise. But do it! Don't delay the best decision of your lives. It's completely worth it. Good luck to you all and God bless!

You are totally rockin that sleeve Miistamunk!!!

Thank you Kali. I see you're looking great as well

I can concur with Miistamunk. It is a great decision and though you ladies may fear hair loss it's a tiny price to pay for a healthier body and more confidence. I am losing some hair' date=' and I'm natural. It did freak me out a bit to see my hair shed like it was but its starting to stop and luckily I had a nice full hair to begin with. So though it's a little thinner it's still a nice length and I'm grateful it started easing up before I really started to panic, lol. I was sleeved 1/8/13 @ 335 lbs. Today I'm 270 so that's 65 lbs in 5 months. It could've been more but I let my relocation mess up my exercise and eating habits. Going all day not eating (easy to do post sleeve), not leaving time to exercise. But do it! Don't delay the best decision of your lives. It's completely worth it. Good luck to you all and God bless![/quote']

Oooh I hope this hairloss eases up soon mine still hasn't I still have plenty left but I lose a fair bit everyday...But still one of my best decisions yet!!!

Thank you Kali. I see you're looking great as well

Thanks! I wish I was losing as fast as you I would be at goal already but 25 or so more to go

Thanks! I wish I was losing as fast as you I would be at goal already but 25 or so more to go

No worries ma, just keep doin what your doin and you'll pass your goal without realizing it. You look great!!!

Hey everybody I am new to this site and so happy to have stumbled upon this thread. I am Black and Puerto Rican. I dont have a surgery date yet but am scheduled for my last nutritionist appointment on 6/25. She told me after that I will see the surgeon within 2 weeks, then I will be scheduled for surgery, she said they are scheduling within the month. I am super excited, and a little terrified. I am scared of some of the horror stories I have seen on here where people are throwing up forever and unable to eat. Posting regrets all over the place and hating their lives! Anybody feel like that? I cant imagine that I will be unhappy to get out of this body that I hate, but I am not a fan of throwing up at all so I kinda understand. I love all the comments on the hair falling out because I have been a little worried about that. My hair is pretty large but I am going to make sure not to perm it anymore based on what I have read here (sometimes perms help with all my frizz). I can tell you guys I have started lathering my hair and skin with coconut oil(and i love it and highly recommend) because I do not want my belly and boobs hanging low and am trying to do all the preventative maintenance I can, while saving up for a quick trip to mexico just in case. Anybody have any advice they can add on the hanging skin issue? That is something I feel may be less of an issue for us but I dont want to make assumptions. My other large concern (sorry in advance for sounding like a fat ass) is that I wont ever be able to eat again. I have read so much about protein shakes that I am concerned. I am obviously willing to do what I have to do (right not I have been doing mf for 2 mths trying to lose weight on my own) but the prospect of NEVER having fried chicken or beans and rice makes me a little sad inside, only having a little, fine whatever, like I said I dont like to throw up, but none ever is a lot. For those of you a year+ out can you eat? whatever (not however much) you want? I know I am bombarding you guys with questions so Im going to end this now but I cant wait to talk to all of you. Oh btw Im from NY anybody in my neck of the woods?

Hey everybody I am new to this site and so happy to have stumbled upon this thread. I am Black and Puerto Rican. I dont have a surgery date yet but am scheduled for my last nutritionist appointment on 6/25. She told me after that I will see the surgeon within 2 weeks' date=' then I will be scheduled for surgery, she said they are scheduling within the month. I am super excited, and a little terrified. I am scared of some of the horror stories I have seen on here where people are throwing up forever and unable to eat. Posting regrets all over the place and hating their lives! Anybody feel like that? I cant imagine that I will be unhappy to get out of this body that I hate, but I am not a fan of throwing up at all so I kinda understand. I love all the comments on the hair falling out because I have been a little worried about that. My hair is pretty large but I am going to make sure not to perm it anymore based on what I have read here (sometimes perms help with all my frizz). I can tell you guys I have started lathering my hair and skin with coconut oil(and i love it and highly recommend) because I do not want my belly and boobs hanging low and am trying to do all the preventative maintenance I can, while saving up for a quick trip to mexico just in case. Anybody have any advice they can add on the hanging skin issue? That is something I feel may be less of an issue for us but I dont want to make assumptions. My other large concern (sorry in advance for sounding like a fat ass) is that I wont ever be able to eat again. I have read so much about protein shakes that I am concerned. I am obviously willing to do what I have to do (right not I have been doing mf for 2 mths trying to lose weight on my own) but the prospect of NEVER having fried chicken or beans and rice makes me a little sad inside, only having a little, fine whatever, like I said I dont like to throw up, but none ever is a lot. For those of you a year+ out can you eat? whatever (not however much) you want? I know I am bombarding you guys with questions so Im going to end this now but I cant wait to talk to all of you. Oh btw Im from NY anybody in my neck of the woods?[/quote']

I am 7 months out and can eat a little bit of pretty much anything but fried food does not agree with me very well I can eat 2 bites of fried chicken without issue.As for beans and rice the beans are easy but the rice sits heavy so if I have beans and rice I eat mostly beans with 2 small bites rice.

kalimom, i have seen this statement a few times but i have no idea what it means, does "sits heavy" mean "im going to puke"? i mostly see it with respect to pasta and rice and think is the sleeve a severe low carb diet for the rest of your life? at 7 mths out eating whatever you want is pretty impressive. i am thinking i will be terrified to eat for a bit. i had brain surgery a few years ago and eating made me throw up. i lost tons of weight because i was scared to eat, i think it was like 3 mths before i tried something other than canned fruit.