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.

Starting my 3wk pre surgery diet next Tuesday! :-D Any tips???

CupofJojo, I would use this time to get organized and stay busy! Organize your closet since things change so quickly postop, clean out your pantry/fridge and give food away, try out protein supplements (not too many it can get expensive). It will go by fast though and it will be surgery day before you know it. Good luck to you!

Starting my 3wk pre surgery diet next Tuesday! :-D Any tips???

CupofJojo, I would use this time to get organized and stay busy! Organize your closet since things change so quickly postop, clean out your pantry/fridge and give food away, try out protein supplements (not too many it can get expensive). It will go by fast though and it will be surgery day before you know it. Good luck to you!

back2barb78, Excellent suggestions. Wish I had done that! Time goes by so quickly.

Starting my 3wk pre surgery diet next Tuesday! :-D Any tips???

CupofJojo, I would use this time to get organized and stay busy! Organize your closet since things change so quickly postop, clean out your pantry/fridge and give food away, try out protein supplements (not too many it can get expensive). It will go by fast though and it will be surgery day before you know it. Good luck to you!

back2barb78, Excellent suggestions. Wish I had done that! Time goes by so quickly.

CupofJojo, I would use this time to get organized and stay busy! Organize your closet since things change so quickly postop, clean out your pantry/fridge and give food away, try out protein supplements (not too many it can get expensive). It will go by fast though and it will be surgery day before you know it. Good luck to you!

That's a wonderful ideal..I decided last night to quit waiting around for they to call to give me a date...today is my date to change my mind and get focused early!! Cleaned pantry and went to store early this morning and stocked what I need, not what I would've wanted before the NEW ME !! Stay blessed everyone!

CupofJojo, I would use this time to get organized and stay busy! Organize your closet since things change so quickly postop, clean out your pantry/fridge and give food away, try out protein supplements (not too many it can get expensive). It will go by fast though and it will be surgery day before you know it. Good luck to you!

That's a wonderful ideal..I decided last night to quit waiting around for they to call to give me a date...today is my date to change my mind and get focused early!! Cleaned pantry and went to store early this morning and stocked what I need, not what I would've wanted before the NEW ME !! Stay blessed everyone!

Hello everyone I'm Cynthia from small town eastern parts of Kentucky..called Hazard Ky.

very few AA in town..I'm 5'5. 296...I'm waiting to hear from my insurance and signed a date from my Dr. I'm blessed take this journey and happy to find encouraging words from all here!

Hi Cynthia, I'm in KY also! I've been sleeved 7 weeks out now! I love my sleeve! Don't get discouraged, take one day at a time.

Thank for the suggestion! I have been "nesting" just like I did when I was preggers! You are so right about staying busy!

HAIR LOSS IS REAL!

I had a full head of hair and I am just realizing why my hair has thinned tremendously! It is because of the sleeve! I totally forgot this could happen and just recently cutt most of it off. It thinned so bad in the front. SMH. So, it happened to me, I am not sure if everyone may go throguh the same things.

Is there a thread on here with before and after pics......

HAIR LOSS IS REAL!

I had a full head of hair and I am just realizing why my hair has thinned tremendously! It is because of the sleeve! I totally forgot this could happen and just recently cutt most of it off. It thinned so bad in the front. SMH. So, it happened to me, I am not sure if everyone may go throguh the same things.

Your hair fall out or thin because the body is lacking protein, so it start pulling it from the hair and nails.. You have to keep up with your protein intake! 60-70 grams of protein a day!

HAIR LOSS IS REAL!

I had a full head of hair and I am just realizing why my hair has thinned tremendously! It is because of the sleeve! I totally forgot this could happen and just recently cutt most of it off. It thinned so bad in the front. SMH. So, it happened to me, I am not sure if everyone may go throguh the same things.

Your hair fall out or thin because the body is lacking protein, so it start pulling it from the hair and nails.. You have to keep up with your protein intake! 60-70 grams of protein a day!

Yes I must agree this is happening to me now I didn't notice it at 1st but now it is I believe at it worst right now so tjis weekend I am going back to my super short cut ..I need my hair colored but that would really kill my hair..I am getting protein but nit enough somedays I just can't seem to eat. ..

Count me in also.... I'm five weeks out today!

Hi ladies just wanted to chime in.. I am going in Monday for revision from Gastric Bypass to the Sleeve. I don't really remember my hair coming out too bad the first time I had surgery....but I'm older... this time around :-) plus we have the dreaded Alopecia monster on my mom's side.. I wear full sew-ins to "protect" and try grow my hair. You may want to check with your doctor to make sure its okay to take....but I have been taking Maximum Living's Mineral Rich With Aloe Liquid Vitamin for months and it has silica, biotin and a bunch of other great stuff for hair skin and nails. And it's a liquid which is great I would think since the sleeve might be a bit small and not sure how it would take large supplement pills. I will be ordering two bottles tomorrow to get stocked up to make sure that I get my extra vitamins in...especially for my hair growth and retention. Biotin, MSM, Silica are all great for hair, skin and nails have been using them all for years.

I also agree with some one said about the amount of protein you have per day... I will be trying to get in about 100 grams per day if I can ...that's a BIG if... but no less than about 70-80 grams. My doctor gives his patients a month's supply of Optifast soups and shakes for post surgery. Have any of you ladies gone through Insure Nutrition to see if you can get your insurance to cover your post op shakes? I just submitted my request yesterday for approval... because I know those shakes can be a bit costly.

On another thread I saw someone mention juicing ( getting a juicer this weekend)... a few people said they have been juicing since surgery and it is a great way to also get nutrients in without over extending the new stomach. Spinach and Kale have a lot of protein and they are used as a base in most "green smoothie" recipes..that's something to also consider.

Edited February 6, 201412 yr by one_more_time

I tried going through insure but my insurance company wouldn't cover it.... I just tried this flavored protein water today and it was not bad but I don't see myself spending 8.00 for 4 ,4oz bottles unles I can find a coupon for them...