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.

Me too.

Yep, I got me a nice wig too. But my hair is growing back. I'm happy about that and a lot of unwanted hair is growing too. I can deal with it.

Good for you!!!

Hey, what's his or her name?

Her name is Dr. Cash, my cousin was her patient for breast reduction surgery....

Here's her website....http://www.camillecashmd.com/

Her name is Dr. Cash' date=' my cousin was her patient for breast reduction surgery....

Here's her website....http://www.camillecashmd.com/[/quote']

Thanks for the information. I'll check out the website.

Hi everyone I got my referral today and I'm just waiting on the call so that I can schedule my appts before I get the surgery. In all actuality I shouldn't get my hopes up yet but I'm pretty sure I qualify since my BMI is about 41. I've been watching my carbs lately but I haven't tried to lose weight because I'm afraid of going below the 40 BMI range and then having to have comorbities, which I don't :/

I am expecting to have hair loss after the procedure because after I gave birth to my 3 kids my hair became really thin around my edges but after about a month or two it started to grow back. I've never worn a wig or weave before but before the surgery I plan to buy a wig just in case the hair loss is very significant lol. I have very thick hair and it would suck to lose 50% of it like some of the other people experienced but I'm guessing that i will probably lose about 5-10% :/

Wow' date=' that's great! I also had dr. Yu. I saw him today for my seven months out ck up. My surgery was 12/13/11. I went from 230 to 165. You will do good but it's hard with ups and downs but the payoff is great. I struggled with each stage but I kept getting another chance to work toward my goal. I still hate Protein drinks but I will down them without a thought. I take the journey one day at a time. Keep a journal. I struggled to walk on the track until I started doing 5 miles 5 days a week. I've stalled for the pass two months but I continue because I know the scale will change soon. You will do good.[/quote']

Thanks. How long before you were able to work out?

Hi everyone I got my referral today and I'm just waiting on the call so that I can schedule my appts before I get the surgery. In all actuality I shouldn't get my hopes up yet but I'm pretty sure I qualify since my BMI is about 41. I've been watching my carbs lately but I haven't tried to lose weight because I'm afraid of going below the 40 BMI range and then having to have comorbities' date=' which I don't :/

I am expecting to have hair loss after the procedure because after I gave birth to my 3 kids my hair became really thin around my edges but after about a month or two it started to grow back. I've never worn a wig or weave before but before the surgery I plan to buy a wig just in case the hair loss is very significant lol. I have very thick hair and it would suck to lose 50% of it like some of the other people experienced but I'm guessing that i will probably lose about 5-10% :/[/quote']

Good luck!!! I have never worn a wig or a weave either, and I really don't want to either. My hair looks thick, but it's really very thin. I'm concerned...

:'(

Littlebits

Good luck!!! I have never worn a wig or a weave either, and I really don't want to either. My hair looks thick, but it's really very thin. I'm concerned...

:'(

Littlebits

I see that you've already been sleeved congrats!. I can't wait till it's my turn but I think the earliest I will be sleeved is December but supposedly things move quickly and my friend said that it only took her about 3 months from the time of her referral. The surgery does kinda scare me because it's permanent and the stomach that they remove is gone forever, also considering that it's a new procedure makes me worry about the long term side effects but I've tried every type of weight loss program out there and I think this procedure is my only hope in the long run. How has your recovery been? Are you still on pain meds? Are you able to lift things? I'm just worried about the recovery and how long it will take to feel back to normal.

I see that you've already been sleeved congrats!. I can't wait till it's my turn but I think the earliest I will be sleeved is December but supposedly things move quickly and my friend said that it only took her about 3 months from the time of her referral. The surgery does kinda scare me because it's permanent and the stomach that they remove is gone forever' date=' also considering that it's a new procedure makes me worry about the long term side effects but I've tried every type of weight loss program out there and I think this procedure is my only hope in the long run. How has your recovery been? Are you still on pain meds? Are you able to lift things? I'm just worried about the recovery and how long it will take to feel back to normal.[/quote']

In all honesty, my recovery was pretty smooth. I had one really bad day (my surgery was on a Tuesday & my worst day was Friday). I had some discomfort when I returned home, but no pain. I didn't use any pain meds on the day that I was released from the hospital (or beyond). In the hospital, when I had pain, I pushed the pain pump!!! Lol

Your doctor will tell you when he/she wants you doing any heavy lifting. (Like you will learn on here, all doctor's are different). I felt like I was on the road to feeling normal during week 2. I would say that I felt like my normal self (100%) during week 3.

You will do fine! Contact me anytime...

Littlebits

I have Dr. Yoo. I went to the seminar last month and subitted the app the same night. I had my psych' date=' NUT, and consult all in the same day. Monday I'm having upper GI, chest xray, and ekg. How long were you out of work? I'm hoping for only a week or 2. My preop group is Aug. 3rd the week before. They havent mentioned a pre-op diet yet. Did u do one?[/quote']

You did move fast! That's awesome! My surgeon suggested 3 weeks but I only wanted to take 2. I needed 3. It took a few weeks for me to feel somewhat normal. I didn't have complications from my sleeve but other things going on. I had a right side pain that wouldn't wait, an ovarian cyst that ruptured, and the mother of all periods start 1 week after surgery. I was like, really?! Why me? Plus, we have to do 3 weeks of liquids. I was just weak, tired, and dizzy. During the week I returned to work, I came straight home and got in my bed.

No, they never gave me a pre op diet. Girl, I had some serious food funerals! LOL! When I had my final pre op consult with Dr. Portenier the week before surgery, he told me to cut back and try to lose a little weight in those few days.

I have my 6 month post op group and follow up on Tuesday. I have a long way until goal but even now I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done! People who haven't seen me since before surgery look at me and their jaws drop. Some don't recognize me. I'm like, damn! Guess I was really that big! I want to lose at least another 100 lbs. It's harder than people say, but I couldn't have done this without my sleeve. Where do you live? I'm in Greensboro.

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Thanks' date=' have you experienced hair loss?

Littlebits[/quote']

Girl, yes. It started after I was 4 months out. I would run my fingers through my hair and several strands would come out. I had LOTS when I washed it. I was at the point where I dreaded washing it. I was freaking out and really going through at that time. It would come out when I combed it. My family and friends have told me they can't tell, but it's thinner to me. I am natural and wear my hair in a loose, curly fro. I think this has helped mask the loss. It would be more noticeable if I were wearing my hair straight. This loss has slowed down tremendously over the past month or so, thank God! I'm 6 months out now.

I believe if it's going to happen, it will. I've read lots of stories of people who always met Protein goals and loss tons on hair. I've read some from people who never met protein goals and had no hair loss. For me, I was on liquids for 3 weeks post op. Then for several weeks after introducing solid food, I was barely getting in 500 calories per day. That lack of nourishment is traumatizing to the body.

Hopefully, you won't have any hair loss. I recommend not adding any stress to your hair. Since I'm natural, I just wash and go. I don't apply any heat and let my hair air dry. I keep it moisturized and co-wash it regularly. A sista is REAL cute with 85 lbs gone! LOL! Good luck to you!

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You did move fast! That's awesome! My surgeon suggested 3 weeks but I only wanted to take 2. I needed 3. It took a few weeks for me to feel somewhat normal. I didn't have complications from my sleeve but other things going on. I had a right side pain that wouldn't wait' date=' an ovarian cyst that ruptured, and the mother of all periods start 1 week after surgery. I was like, really?! Why me? Plus, we have to do 3 weeks of liquids. I was just weak, tired, and dizzy. During the week I returned to work, I came straight home and got in my bed.

No, they never gave me a pre op diet. Girl, I had some serious food funerals! LOL! When I had my final pre op consult with Dr. Portenier the week before surgery, he told me to cut back and try to lose a little weight in those few days.

I have my 6 month post op group and follow up on Tuesday. I have a long way until goal but even now I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done! People who haven't seen me since before surgery look at me and their jaws drop. Some don't recognize me. I'm like, damn! Guess I was really that big! I want to lose at least another 100 lbs. It's harder than people say, but I couldn't have done this without my sleeve. Where do you live? I'm in Greensboro.

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Hi ladies I have been mia for a minute trying get settled. So far things are going pretty good for me. Surgery was done 5/25, so far I have lost about 35 pounds post op. I was in a stall for a minute but I am slowly starting to move again. I have a talking scale, I cursed her out every day she told me my weight. ( yes i weigh Every day) As for recovery my dr originally gave me two weeks. I personally needed three. I had the sleeve and gallbladder removed at the same time. Week two I dehydrated so I had to be hospitalized again. I was just tried in the beginning. But other than that I was ok. As for preop diet, I was placed in a 21 day liquid preop. Girl, I mourned food! I can laugh now but it was serious. I had a falling on the casket old school funeral! ( don't judge me lol) but nothing taste as good as getting slim feels. I have lost a total 85 pounds so far including preop, but I still have a long way to go. I am still nervous about my hair I have noticed strands here and there. I don't know if I am paranoid or it it is coming out. I take 5000 mg of Biotin. We will see. I have prayed and released it. Worse case I will rock a ponytail and keep it moving.

Hi ladies I have been mia for a minute trying get settled. So far things are going pretty good for me. Surgery was done 5/25' date=' so far I have lost about 35 pounds post op. I was in a stall for a minute but I am slowly starting to move again. I have a talking scale, I cursed her out every day she told me my weight. ( yes i weigh Every day) As for recovery my dr originally gave me two weeks. I personally needed three. I had the sleeve and gallbladder removed at the same time. Week two I dehydrated so I had to be hospitalized again. I was just tried in the beginning. But other than that I was ok. As for preop diet, I was placed in a 21 day liquid preop. Girl, I mourned food! I can laugh now but it was serious. I had a falling on the casket old school funeral! ( don't judge me lol) but nothing taste as good as getting slim feels. I have lost a total 85 pounds so far including preop, but I still have a long way to go. I am still nervous about my hair I have noticed strands here and there. I don't know if I am paranoid or it it is coming out. I take 5000 mg of Biotin. We will see. I have prayed and released it. Worse case I will rock a ponytail and keep it moving.

[/quote']

Great quote! ...nothing tastes as good as getting slim does! I'll have to put that on my fridge!

You did move fast! That's awesome! My surgeon suggested 3 weeks but I only wanted to take 2. I needed 3. It took a few weeks for me to feel somewhat normal. I didn't have complications from my sleeve but other things going on. I had a right side pain that wouldn't wait, an ovarian cyst that ruptured, and the mother of all periods start 1 week after surgery. I was like, really?! Why me? Plus, we have to do 3 weeks of liquids. I was just weak, tired, and dizzy. During the week I returned to work, I came straight home and got in my bed.

No, they never gave me a pre op diet. Girl, I had some serious food funerals! LOL! When I had my final pre op consult with Dr. Portenier the week before surgery, he told me to cut back and try to lose a little weight in those few days.

I have my 6 month post op group and follow up on Tuesday. I have a long way until goal but even now I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done! People who haven't seen me since before surgery look at me and their jaws drop. Some don't recognize me. I'm like, damn! Guess I was really that big! I want to lose at least another 100 lbs. It's harder than people say, but I couldn't have done this without my sleeve. Where do you live? I'm in Greensboro.

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Three weeks is a long time. I'd hate to be out that long. I've heard of the food funerals but I'm just ready to cremate my fat clothes. I'm 5ft3 and 240 (whew.....I said that outloud). Aside from being healthy (getting rid of this dang PCOS, and prediabetes), my goal weight is 130-140, I want to rid myself of the muffin top, and wear pretty bras.

My hair is natural and of course I'm worried about hair loss. I've been natural for a couple of years now and I've just started taking Biotin and I'm thinking about throwing in some MSM. I mainly do protective styles for a week or two at a time.

I live in Raleigh but I work in Durham. Duke Raleigh isnt a Center of Excellence yet so I'm having my surgery at Durham Regional.

Any suggestions for low sodium broth and Protein drinks. What did you have for your 3 wk liquid diet?

Three weeks is a long time. I'd hate to be out that long. I've heard of the food funerals but I'm just ready to cremate my fat clothes. I'm 5ft3 and 240 (whew.....I said that outloud). Aside from being healthy (getting rid of this dang PCOS' date=' and prediabetes), my goal weight is 130-140, I want to rid myself of the muffin top, and wear pretty bras.

My hair is natural and of course I'm worried about hair loss. I've been natural for a couple of years now and I've just started taking biotin and I'm thinking about throwing in some MSM. I mainly do protective styles for a week or two at a time.

I live in Raleigh but I work in Durham. Duke Raleigh isnt a Center of Excellence yet so I'm having my surgery at Durham Regional.

Any suggestions for low sodium broth and protein drinks. What did you have for your 3 wk liquid diet?[/quote']

I went back after 2 weeks but was wiped out. You'll be at goal in no time since you only have a little over 100 to lose. Girl, I started at 406 (I said THAT out loud). I didn't look like I weighed that much because I managed to maintain a shape with it. I'm 5'7" and my weight balanced well to be SO heavy. Ive told my husband and sister how much i weighed starting out and they were shocked! They thought i was around 330-340. Go figure.

I weigh everyday and this morning I was 319. My original goal weight was 180. I'd be thrilled to just lose another hundred. My sister weighs abt 215, is my height and wears a 12 or 14 bottom depending on the cut. I'd be completely content there. She has no stomach, all hips and thighs and we are shaped similarly. We'll see how it goes.

My last relaxer was March of 2010, so I'm completely natural too. I posted about my hair loss here. People don't notice it and the weight loss is phenomenal. I am straight wash and go right now. Not doing anything strenuous. I'm too lazy to do twist outs or anything right now. I had my last protective style last summer and have been wearing mine out for a year.

I had my surgery at Durham Regional. The rooms were a little small but everything was great! I stayed over 2 nights. The first day, you can't drink anything. My mouth was so dry! They allowed me to used mouth swabs. The next day they started with bottled water and protein shakes. They had Ensure, Boost, Carnation Instant Breakfast. I didn't like any of them. My taste buds were so different right after surgery. EVERYTHING was super sweet. I found the Premier Protein shakes the most tolerable. I still drink one of these each day. I strained Progresso beef and chicken soups during those first 3 weeks. That was about it.

I wanted to chew SO bad but never thought abt cheating. IDK how people eat crazy things right after surgery. In my pre op group, they told us abt one lady who put a pork chop in a blender to liquify it. Really?! I said to myself, that had to be one of us. LOL! I really enjoy the groups there. The Psychs are hilarious and I've seen people at various stages of WLS. I've been the only sleever at the ones I've attended so far.

Continue to let me know if I can help you.

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