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, everyone! I'm an AA female and I live in Louisiana! I have been so obsessed with reading the insurance/finance forum, I didn't see this one. I'm coming to the realization that LOTS of folks have had wls. I'm late to the game at 45! But, better late than never, right? I'm just starting my journey. I've been to the first visit and my next one is this coming Wednesday. I'll have a psych eval next week and I've already had a gallbladder ultrasound. I'm on the one shake meal replacement plan and have to do the 3 month diet. I guess if things went according to plan, everything would be complete in July and surgery would be in August (my birthday month)! All of you who have had the surgery sound great and positive.

I'm just afraid that I will be denied. I have an 'off the wall' insurance that no one seems to have heard of through my employer. It requires that you prove medical necessity. My bmi is well over 40, I take medication for hypertension, and I don't recall ever seeing under 200 pounds. I'm hoping that's going to do it! Does anyone have any words of encouragement for a sister? **sad face** Thanks!

My only regret is that I wasn't sleeved sooner! I'm 5 1/2 weeks out, down 43 lbs and I'm loving my new healthy lifestyle

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My only regret is that I wasn't sleeved sooner! I'm 5 1/2 weeks out' date=' down 43 lbs and I'm loving my new healthy lifestyle

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Congratulations. I just found out Friday that i am confirmed with dr Garcia for June 4. Yay. Can't wait to be sleeved

Hello everyone! I'm @ the end of my 6 month supervised diet stage. I am 5'2" & 214 lbs. I currently take meds for diabetes & hbp. I will finish my final nutrition class in May & I hope to have my surgery in June, when school ends.

I thoroughly enjoy this forum, but I am extremely excited about this thread. My concern, like many others, is hair loss. I do not perm my hair; however, I am addicted to coloring it. That's my thing & now I am beginning to wish that I had taken a break before coloring my hair 6-8 weeks ago...such is life. Anyway, now I'm praying that I won't have any issues with my insurance company.

Little bits

I am so hungry. I am 9 days post op and starving! I'm feeling frustrated today because I want solid food! Ugh!

I had my surgery 01/24/2012. I still find ways to eat my greens. I love chicken and have not had any fried foods since my surgery and don't plan to at the moment. I have not had any sweets either and I love sweets. I love seafood and I eat the cooked shrimp from Walmart in the frozen food section as it has 20 gms of protein. I eat Greek yogurt every day, it has 10-15 gms of protein. I don't think I was getting enough protein so I have a shake first thing in the morning and in the evening also.

I still cannot eat alot. My husband LOVES for us to cook together and eat together. He is having a hard time with my eating and he is concerned. (I'm starting to think he likes thick women).

My hair used to be very thick but due to medications before my surgery, my hair has thinned very much. I'm taking 5000 mcg of Biotin daily to prevent further loss. I hope it grows back. I bought 2 wigs over the weekend because it looks like I'm balding in spots.

I hope this topic continues with also perhaps older African American women also.

Hey AA Sleevers,

I am 34 yo post-op sleever. I had my sleeve done on 3/22/12. Its been 10 days since being sleeved and I was down 16# on my 1 week checkup. I do miss chewing. My fam and friends are very supportive. Although they eat whatever they want in front of me. This has been a big transition for me esp. Because I quit smoking at the same time. I can't say I have any regrets. I am not concerned with hairloss because I suffer from alopecia. My only concern has been bowel movements. Before wls I would "go" at least 2x daily. I had to take milk of magnesia for my 1st movement 4 days after surgery. I haven't had a movement since. I don't want laxatives to become a part of my daily intake. Anyone who has any advise, I welcome it. I will discuss it later today with my treatment team.

I'm in nj if anyone wants to hit me up. Thanks for this thread.

We were sleeved on the same day. I haven't even noticed the bm being missed. That's a great lose. I am down 25# but that's including my pre op diet.

Hey all. How did everyone's scars heal and what did you use on them?

Hello Everybody! I was finally approved on 3/28/12 and my surgery is scheduled for 4/1/12! What a great way to start the month!

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Hey Guys.. I was sleeved over 3 months ago...I was severely constipated as well.. Try to up your water and use benefiber... I also drank a little unfiltered apple juice and it did the trick.. You guys are doing great!! Keep up the good work!!

Hey Guys.. I was sleeved over 3 months ago...I was severely constipated as well.. Try to up your water and use benefiber... I also drank a little unfiltered apple juice and it did the trick.. You guys are doing great!! Keep up the good work!!

This is my first post. I had my sleeve done on 4/10/11. Down 96 lb...water is the key ... i think i drink more than eat. Congrats to all & keep up the work...i have no regrets!!

@kmagee, happy to hear about your lost. My nut tells me that it takes time after surgery for your body to get back on track. It's been 3 weeks for me and I have lost another 6#s. It may have been more, but I am backed up...lol. I couldn't imagine taking benefiber at this stage. I have a hard enough time with the mushies.

@kmagee' date=' happy to hear about your lost. My nut tells me that it takes time after surgery for your body to get back on track. It's been 3 weeks for me and I have lost another 6#s. It may have been more, but I am backed up...lol. I couldn't imagine taking benefiber at this stage. I have a hard enough time with the mushies.[/quote']

Muralax is the best. U can put it in Water & never know

@kmagee' date=' happy to hear about your lost. My nut tells me that it takes time after surgery for your body to get back on track. It's been 3 weeks for me and I have lost another 6#s. It may have been more, but I am backed up...lol. I couldn't imagine taking benefiber at this stage. I have a hard enough time with the mushies.[/quote']

Oddly a cup of coffee will um get me moving!