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.

Hey Corcor:

I am late responding, but I suspect you are Caribbean and your question sound so similar to mine. I am almost three months post op.

1. I am able to eat small amounts of Caribbean food, but I watch my portions and go very slow. Usually after three or four spoons I am full.I am careful with rice and peas and macaroni an cheese.

2. I notice that my nails break very easily and often. To prevent dryness I moisturizer daily. I take biotin to deal with hair nail and skin issues. I have not seen any changes in my hair as yet. I am watching.

3. I come from a large family and I have only told one of my sisters and two cousins. I just want to deal with this and not hear the talk an people's unsupportive opinions, you know how we can get.

The process is a process but I have no regrets. I cannot tell you how nice it is to try on clothes and it fits. I hope this helps answer some questions.

My surgery date is July 9th. I'm on my second week pre-op diet - down 6 lbs. so far.

Hey Shay, hope you are doing well!!!

Look great DeeJack08! Keep up the great work!

Thx

Hello All' date='

First let me say, Nice to see this post. I am African American, and its nice to know that i will be going through this Journey with follow brothers and sisters. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />. I had a question, My surgeon had me do a test for H. Pilory and the test came back positive. The Nurse says that it is common for African Americans to hold this type of bacteria, and that it will be healed with a oral medicine take over two weeks. Has anyone else had this test done and it come back positive? If so have you had success riding yourself of the bacteria using the medicine? I'm a little concerned with the bacteria because they said it can promote stomach alcers, so its important to be rid of it before surgery.

Any one out there going thru this?

Thanks[/quote']

I had it a couple of months before surgery and after two weeks of intense meds I was retested and fine. Just be diligent in taking the meds. There's a lot to take for two weeks. But you can do it . My prayers !,

My 3 n a half months change

Fit n fine!!!!! You look great!

Surgeon: Dr. Farrell UNC Hospital 4/24/2013:------ Preop: 239-----Current: 195.8

Hey My People! I am excited to say my date has been moved from Sept. 23rd to Sept. 3rd. PATs on Aug. 13. I AM FEELING EXCITED TODAY! Can you tell? Lol!

That's great. You'll be in surgery before you know it.

My 3 n a half months change

Congrats! You look good.

Hey Corcor:

I am late responding' date=' but I suspect you are Caribbean and your question sound so similar to mine. I am almost three months post op.

1. I am able to eat small amounts of Caribbean food, but I watch my portions and go very slow. Usually after three or four spoons I am full.I am careful with rice and peas and macaroni an cheese.

2. I notice that my nails break very easily and often. To prevent dryness I moisturizer daily. I take biotin to deal with hair nail and skin issues. I have not seen any changes in my hair as yet. I am watching.

3. I come from a large family and I have only told one of my sisters and two cousins. I just want to deal with this and not hear the talk an people's unsupportive opinions, you know how we can get.

The process is a process but I have no regrets. I cannot tell you how nice it is to try on clothes and it fits. I hope this helps answer some questions.[/quote']

Thanks for your response. I continue to struggle if I want to tell my family or not. But I can't wait for my surgery Oct 21. I think if I do everything the right way, sooner or later I'll be able to eat my favorite foods again, just in moderation :-) How are you doing in your journey?

Hi all I'm new here. I'm so excited to embark on this new journey. My surgeon submitted my paper work to my insurance praying that I get approve because they gave me a surgery date of July 31. Like stated my surgery date is July 31 and my 1 year wedding anniversary is August 12. I would like to take a mini trip to the keys do you guys think that's to soon to be traveling after surgery. I'm in south Florida which is 4 hours from Key West. Want to do something for my anniversary

Hello All,

First let me say, Nice to see this post. I am African American, and its nice to know that i will be going through this Journey with follow brothers and sisters. . I had a question, My surgeon had me do a test for H. Pilory and the test came back positive. The Nurse says that it is common for African Americans to hold this type of bacteria, and that it will be healed with a oral medicine take over two weeks. Has anyone else had this test done and it come back positive? If so have you had success riding yourself of the bacteria using the medicine? I'm a little concerned with the bacteria because they said it can promote stomach alcers, so its important to be rid of it before surgery.

Any one out there going thru this?

Thanks

Yes, I was diagnosed with H. Pylori as well. I'm on day 9 of my triple therapy. That nurse is INCORRECT IN SAYING H. PYLORI IS PREVELANT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS...Everyone one of us in the WORLD have been exposed by this bacterium. It can be dormant for years. I've had blood work done all the time and this is the only time it has come up.

She is clearly misinformed and anyway, it shouldn't prevent the surgery.

Good luck.

I do not have a stomach ulcer & make sure you eat tons of yogurt or take acidophilus supplements. I'm finding out the hard way...it literally is depleting all the good Bacteria out...so now I have a YI! So once I complete this therapy, I have my

sleep study on Sat 7/20

FOLLOW-up with PCP 7/22

Cardiologist 7/24

Gastoenterologist 7/31

I'm praying for a surgery date between 8/17-8/31 as I'm on 2wks vacay. That would allow me to rest and get it together before I head back to work. Pray for me please.

Stay strong.

I got to two major goals in 6months 100 pounds lost and in the 100s in 6month I have about 14-20 pounds to be at my goal I'm so happy

I got to two major goals in 6months 100 pounds lost and in the 100s in 6month I have about 14-20 pounds to be at my goal I'm so happy

Wow Sis you look fabulous. What was your starting weight & height if you don't mind me asking?

I'm 5'6 285lbs and I would no what to do with a 100lb loss...how do you maintain the weight loss?

My starting weight was 299 as of now I'm 198 Im 5'7 in a half but that's questionable because I look taller being 198 ppl say I look more like 145 so I set my goal at the higher end just because I would be way too small at a normal Bmi I still in the losing phase so it's not hard to maintain .. I still don't eat bread , Pasta , rice I it what I want if I turkey want it but I still drink low calorie drinks because it easy to drink your calories no I don't track my food that's not for me I try to be as normal a possible and deal w eating one day at a time .. I so happy and it feels so good some friends think if I lose more ill be too skinny but I won't be the first thin person ????

My starting weight was 299 as of now I'm 198 Im 5'7 in a half but that's questionable because I look taller being 198 ppl say I look more like 145 so I set my goal at the higher end just because I would be way too small at a normal Bmi I still in the losing phase so it's not hard to maintain .. I still don't eat bread ' date=' Pasta , rice I it what I want if I turkey want it but I still drink low calorie drinks because it easy to drink your calories no I don't track my food that's not for me I try to be as normal a possible and deal w eating one day at a time .. I so happy and it feels so good some friends think if I lose more ill be too skinny but I won't be the first thin person dde09[/quote']

It's weird because our body type (I'd swear you were 150# in your pics.) we carry weight so much different than other races. My goal is 165 but I'm nervous about the bobble head look...lol anyway, great job.