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 wish we had a subforum so we could post new topics withing African American Sleevers' date=' and if there is would someone point me in the right direction? This thread is too long and we discuss such a myriad of relevant topics, but it is hard to get to each topic.

I have a question for my tenured sleeve sisters. What did you do about your hair? Did you find that you suffered from significant hair loss? And if so, how did you manage it(weave? wig?hats? scarves?etc...) Have you found products that have helped with the hair loss issues unique to our hair types? I am heading towards my 3rd month post op and trying to brace myself for the hair issues. I am planning to weave, but I am in AZ and it is soooo hot here right now.[/quote']

I haven't been sleeved yet....hoping to get my date next fri, but I've been taking hairfinity.com for 2 months now and taking xtra Biotin to prepare. Also heard of a Chinese herb called sheng fa that will help prevent shedding.

Ok thank you let me try that now thank you. How long did the pain last? How are you feeling now?

The pain did last for a couple of days and now I am good other than the pain or soreness of the larger incision its ok. I am still trying to get the eating slow thing done but really hard but when I don't it feels like there is a lump in my chest.

Question to those who have been sleeved: How long did you wait until you started driving again? My surgery isn't until Monday 10/21 but I'm hoping to drive by that Saturday. Do you think that is realistic?

Yes. As long as you are not taking the pain mess you can drive.

As far as I know they don't pay for tucks( removal of skin and fat) in the classical sense' date=' but will pay for some procedures like a panniectomy (removal of excess skin of the lower abdomen) if it causes rashes, skin breakdown, or limitations in a person's ability to perform daily activities. Of course this needs to be documented by your doctor in order for it to be approved. I think they may also cover removal of excess arm skin as well under the same criteria.[/quote']

Oh okay thanks .

I have bcbs of IL and i was just reading that mine covers what was mentioned as well as tummy tucks but also like mentioned it has to be documented and have to get preapproval but its worth a shot and im gonna try for it after i lose all the weight.

I thank you for your help and it will be worth the try thanks

Your welcome. I went back just to double check it and it says it does cover it so give it a try!

Your welcome. I went back just to double check it and it says it does cover it so give it a try!

Okay I will !!!!

Yes. As long as you are not taking the pain mess you can drive.

I was sleeved on 8/29 and was driving 8 days later but I wasn't on any pain meds.

I'm having terrible heartburn!!! Any suggestions? Please.

Already tried gas-x. No relief.

Already tried gas-x. No relief.

I take Pepcid AC extra strength before I eat...and if necessary I pop a couple of TUMS afterwards.

Thxs so much. Don't have any now, but will pick some up.

Thxs so much. Don't have any now, but will pick some up.

Ask your surgeon. That was one of the questions I asked on my last appt. She told me as long as I wasn't taking the pain meds I was fine. I drove like on on post op day 4.

My Dr stated as long as I wasn't on pain meds I could drive. Wish you well!!!

Hello everyone, have a question about the gallbladder. (Someone who never had any health problems besides being overweight)

I'm afraid of getting sleeved, because I've read that most weightloss surgeries later down the line your gallbladder will have to be removed has anyone been thru this and is it best to have ot removed at the same time the sleeve is done, I just don't want to go thru this later on.I have no health problems. Please advise? I'm just waiting on approval from the Insurance company.