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 been sleeved just over 5 months and no hair loss. Because my hair is so thick I told myself not to worry. I do keep it braided and haven't had a perm in years. But in between braids no extra shedding. So I agree it's about the protein. I get my 75 grams in 95 % of the time.

Great news at docs today' date=' I past the 50 lb mark and into onderland! Total loss 69 lbs. Praise God for strength and perseverance!

Hope this inspires someone [/quote']

It inspired me GREATLY(EVERY ONE OF YOU)...I'm preop and so appreciative of the " it takes a village" support mentality of all the veterans! Thanks & continued success and blessings

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?

I got a wig

Any recommendations for what to do before surgery? Maybe what stock in the pantry? What liquid products did you use?

It inspired me GREATLY(EVERY ONE OF YOU)...I'm preop and so appreciative of the " it takes a village" support mentality of all the veterans! Thanks & continued success and blessings

That is so true. I read every post in this forum and it helps! And my prayers went up for you

Any recommendations for what to do before surgery? Maybe what stock in the pantry? What liquid products did you use?

I plan to stock up on zero carb powerade, chicken broth (injury and protidiet), sugar free jello and ice pops, and isopure (don't know which favors yet because I haven't done my taste testing yet, although I've heard the combo isopure drinks are tolerable).

High protein is the key to good weight loss after this procedure.. listen to your NUT and surgeon, but I remember having to drink protein drinks in the very beginning, While your doing liquid diet only you'll need a way to try and get your protein in . I never found a protein drink that I liked, except Nutriwise ( google it online) It's a hot chocolate with protein that taste delious. I'd suggest you read the posts about Protein drinks in the Food and Nutrition section, there should be some good suggestions for protein drinks, and what to do with the unjury protein during the liquid and pureed phase. Your taste buds are gonna be a bit different after the surgery so don't stock up on Protein drinks,, but do begin to investigate them. Good Luck. Keep us posted.

Any recommendations for what to do before surgery? Maybe what stock in the pantry? What liquid products did you use?

I wouldn't cuz your taste buds change for sure. Just get the basics of both, jello, &maybe try some bottles of isopure protein? But only buy one or two cuz you may not like it after surgery. Just my opinion. Same goes for the protein shakes.

Ditto to the last two comments 10/29 wb my year out yeah

Wow...my best friend is starting to say things that leads me to believe maybe I shouldn't have told her about my plans. I have only told her, my adult daughter and my boyfriend. (Decided not to tell my mom the exact details as to not worry her,so I said I am having hernia repair instead-- hated to not be 100% truthful with my momma,but I know our relationship). My 23 yo daughter has been so supportive, my boyfriend who is also a plus size guy is supportive, but has on occasion made comments to shoe his hesitantancy because I think he may fear what this decision will do to us...but he has NOTHING to worry about on my end. And if it does change our relationship,hr is a boyfriend and I would chock it up to him not being the man for me... So that leaves my BFF (who is not heavy) ..initially she seemed excited for me, but of late she says in a negative tone "aren't you being deceptive if your not going to tell others how you are going to tackle your weight issues"? And I am a little down about her lack of whole hearted support...in the end I k ow it's my decision for me,but it just hurts that even before I have had the surgery ppl are already showing thier inability to support. Sorry to be long winded on this issue,but my feelings are hurt :-(

Thanks all! :-)

Wow...my best friend is starting to say things that leads me to believe maybe I shouldn't have told her about my plans. I have only told her' date=' my adult daughter and my boyfriend. (Decided not to tell my mom the exact details as to not worry her,so I said I am having hernia repair instead-- hated to not be 100% truthful with my momma,but I know our relationship). My 23 yo daughter has been so supportive, my boyfriend who is also a plus size guy is supportive, but has on occasion made comments to shoe his hesitantancy because I think he may fear what this decision will do to us...but he has NOTHING to worry about on my end. And if it does change our relationship,hr is a boyfriend and I would chock it up to him not being the man for me... So that leaves my BFF (who is not heavy) ..initially she seemed excited for me, but of late she says in a negative tone "aren't you being deceptive if your not going to tell others how you are going to tackle your weight issues"? And I am a little down about her lack of whole hearted support...in the end I k ow it's my decision for me,but it just hurts that even before I have had the surgery ppl are already showing thier inability to support. Sorry to be long winded on this issue,but my feelings are hurt :-([/quote']

I know what you mean, to a certain extent. I told my bestie last weekend. I was SO excited about turning this new chapter in my life! She kind of smiled and said maybe what she thought I wanted to hear. I can tell she's scared for me bc she has mentioned the whole idea of surgery doesn't sit well with her. We both recently lost a parent, so the whole "hospitalization" is a tender topic.

But for me, loosing my parent is somewhat motivation to improve my quality of life.

Hello all I am 2 months post op. I would like to know can you tell when your body need protein? Yesterday around 5pm I started getting a head ache and as the day progress it got worse. I took Tylenol and that did not help .Get to work this morning and decided to drink a Protein shake and the headache went away instantly. Have this ever happen to any of you. I try and drink a protein shake everyday yesterday I did not drink one.

My stomach growls when it empty. Yesterday was the first day without a protein supplement. I was exhausted. Finally, around 4 am I couldn't sleep because of the stomach sounds. I only have had one headache post-op.

I know what you mean' date=' to a certain extent. I told my bestie last weekend. I was SO excited about turning this new chapter in my life! She kind of smiled and said maybe what she thought I wanted to hear. I can tell she's scared for me bc she has mentioned the whole idea of surgery doesn't sit well with her. We both recently lost a parent, so the whole "hospitalization" is a tender topic. But for me, loosing my parent is somewhat motivation to improve my quality of life.[/quote']

I have had some of the same issues. My best friend is against the surgery. I was originally scheduled for Feb 7, 2013 but in Jan I had a blood clot in my lung. So surgery was postponed until my vascular Dr. Released my. My mom also was against the surgery. My mom had several strokes in March and April and passed away in May. I am finally scheduled for Oct. 22. I have not told my best friend because she was so against my decision earlier. I have told my children and my two cousins that will be supportive. I definitely want this to improve my life and my health. My BMI is 44 and I weigh 264. Not good!

I am not looking forward to "certain" extended family members finding out about the surgery bc they seem to thrive off of discrediting people. Been mentally rehearsing ignoring their ignorance.

I am a very social person, easily recognised locally and I am sure people will will be asking me what I did to loose the weight. I don't necessarily want to keep it secret afterwards but not looking forward to someone telling me that I did nothing but lye on the operation table.