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.

Typo 250-260lbs

Congrads! Keep us posted on your journey.

OMG..I am actually sitting on the side of my bed in tears right now...so excited to see this thread. I had wanted to know if ethnicity created different issues especially as it relates to hair loss. I AM so appreciative of this thread. Not that we are all not created the same, but just to hear the journey from a personal perspective from a AA is so awesome to know that this site offers. I AM sure after I read through the 200+ pages I will have some specific questions for many..I will send personal messages if that's ok.. (SO EXCITED)

I do agree with you. .I found this site last night and almost screamed lol. .. glad there is something here for us. .. not that it's a must but nice to see. .. I've been investigating this survey for 1 year and finally decided to go with it. .. now im patiently awaiting the insurance approval but it's driving me crazy! !

Hey AA Family... I haven't post to this thread.. But I want to tell allll the newbie getting the surgery that after the surgery it get easier. I started pre-op on jun 25th and was sleeved on July 10th. I'm almost 3 months out..and feel great! After the surgery you might say.. What the heck did you do?! But it's worth it! You will ask herself why it took me so long?! Everyone have blessed day!

Felicia

Hi everyone. I was sleeved Sept. 10th. I already have days that I question what I have done but I know it was best. I am now on puree/soft foods until Oct. 10th. My only concern is my hair. Im taking biotin 10000mcg max strength. Im ready to perm my hair and chop it off bc im natural but scared that hair loss might hit me later on. How did yall hair hold up thru this process?

Hey AA Family... I haven't post to this thread.. But I want to tell allll the newbie getting the surgery that after the surgery it get easier. I started pre-op on jun 25th and was sleeved on July 10th. I'm almost 3 months out..and feel great! After the surgery you might say.. What the heck did you do?! But it's worth it! You will ask herself why it took me so long?! Everyone have blessed day!

Felicia

Thanks...Assan. im going to start my exercising today. 2 weeks out...feeling great. Im dropping more inches than pounds. Can you share about your hair and progress so far?

Thanks...Assan. im going to start my exercising today. 2 weeks out...feeling great. Im dropping more inches than pounds. Can you share about your hair and progress so far?

I haven't had a hair lost yet.. Can't speak on that yet.. Because I'm wearing braids.. didn't want have excuses to not work out. Ahaha. Haven't had a perm since 2003. I make sure that I have a protein shake once a day .. And eat my protein first before eating anything . I will be taking my braids out shortly.. And will give you an update.

I also started exercising 2 weeks after surgery. I committed myself to 4-5 days a week. I want to capitalize on the weight lost for the first year since I have a lot to lose. I weigh 348 at pre op, after pre-op 339 and now 298. At first I was being inpatient because I thought I would lose the weight quicker.. But just think..I lost 50lbs in 3 months since pre-op.. Last year I was on weight watchers from march 2012- August - 2012 started at 348 and end 322. It took me 6 months to lose 22 lbs.. And gain it back. With the sleeved process I lost 50.. Give me a break.. I had put that in perceptive . I have lost a lot of inches.. Some people at work are noticing .... All I can say is that the weight will come off..better slow.. Than fast so it will allow your body to heal properly. Those that have been sleeved this year will be talking a different tune .. And will be happy with our results and encouraging others next year.. Just my two cents. Felicia

I haven't had a hair lost yet.. Can't speak on that yet.. Because I'm wearing braids.. didn't want have excuses to not work out. Ahaha. Haven't had a perm since 2003. I make sure that I have a protein shake once a day .. And eat my protein first before eating anything . I will be taking my braids out shortly.. And will give you an update.

I also started exercising 2 weeks after surgery. I committed myself to 4-5 days a week. I want to capitalize on the weight lost for the first year since I have a lot to lose. I weigh 348 at pre op' date=' after pre-op 339 and now 298. At first I was being inpatient because I thought I would lose the weight quicker.. But just think..I lost 50lbs in 3 months since pre-op.. Last year I was on weight watchers from march 2012- August - 2012 started at 348 and end 322. It took me 6 months to lose 22 lbs.. And gain it back. With the sleeved process I lost 50.. Give me a break.. I had put that in perceptive . I have lost a lot of inches.. Some people at work are noticing .... All I can say is that the weight will come off..better slow.. Than fast so it will allow your body to heal properly. Those that have been sleeved this year will be talking a different tune .. Antd will be happy with our results and encouraging others next year.. Just my two cents. Felicia[/quote']

Thx, Felicia. Maybe I should just braid my hair until I progress. Ive been natural for a while and usually can manage until all my hair is out for days...I go crazy! It is thick! I started at 242 hw, 225 preop, and now 200 post op two weeks. I dont mind losing slowly bc I heard its best for your skin and health. I have about 60 pounds to go...im 5ft. Im currently on lots of meds so thats my motivation...medication free living. 50 pounds is good for 3 months. My doc told me to aim for 50 pounds in 6 months but look at my inches. Thanks for your response. I greatly appreciate it.

You have done so well.. By the time you and I blink we will be at goal.

Hi everyone. I had my surgery on Sept. 10th in Tijuana. Everything went well and I am back home watching TV.

Glade to hear all went well. I'm set for Oct 23, currently on day 4 of my 4week diet. Feeling good so far! Please keep posting on your experiences.

Hello all, 38 yoa black male getting sleeved Oct 23rd starting weight 397 with BMI of 58 down to 365 with a BMI of 51. This will be my first ever surgery. I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be but have concerns that most overweight people have. I'm currently doing my 4 week pre- op liquid diet (day 4).

Hello all' date=' 38 yoa black male getting sleeved Oct 23rd starting weight 397 with BMI of 58 down to 365 with a BMI of 51. This will be my first ever surgery. I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be but have concerns that most overweight people have. I'm currently doing my 4 week pre- op liquid diet (day 4).[/quote']

Hey. GYTN! My sister has had brain surgery, kidney transplant, high bold pressure and deibetes .. And had this surgery and she is walking around. She had the surgery in 2011.. You will be ok.. It's nerve racking the wait for surgery and the the dr. Wheeling you into the operation room.. But you will be just fine.. Chilling watching TV like coco... Lololol

Day 3 of my preop liquid diet and have already lost 6 pounds.... I have not cheated at ALL... I drink water all day and drink 4 protein shakes throughout the day.. Its tough but I know what I want so Im fighting for it... GOD is really giving me everything I need to make day after day.....

Hi all! Does anyone have any before/after pics to share? Maybe a hair before and after too since a lot of ppl have posted on that topic. My husband love's my "assets" sure don't want to loose those, lol. As for hair, I'm thinking about starting Biotin before surgery (no date yet) as a precautionary method. (natural hair)