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'm a AA hopeful...not sure insurance will cooperate.

I haven't told anyone, not even my CLOSEST sistafriends. I haven't told my husband I'm considering doing this, I know he won't be all that supportive. He's never really struggled with his weight and I've found most people who don't have food issues don't understand what it's like.

So happy I found this thread.

Hopefulme,

I understand what you mean regarding others not understanding what it is like. But I do hope your husband will be supportive of you on this journey, it will mean the world. My husband has never struggled with his weight either, and he knows I have. When I first introduced the idea, it was at the advice of doctor to start talking about surgical options. So that is how I brought it up, coming from the doctor, I said, my doctor thinks its time to start thinking about surgical alternatives. His reply was "babe, just let me know what I need to do". I said nothing now, I was just letting you know about the conversation I had with my doc.

But be mindful being supportive may be difficult at first if you are not vocal about your needs. The first meal my hubby saw me eat, he was like "that's all?". I jokingly said, "if you don't want to see that food again, that's all" (referring to vomiting), he laughed and said, "hey let me finish that for you". What's more funny is that I was drinking Soup, and he actually took the bowl downed the rest of it.

I said all that to say it will be a change, so just give people a chance to be supportive. And of course we are here for you as well.

It's so scary to even think about. I want to have more info before I speak to him about it, we've been together for a long time and he's just stuck in his ways . I probably won't tell anyone other than hubby until I'm done. I know my sisters (BFFs) would support me, but it's such a personal thing. I part of me feels shame that I haven't been able to stop eating and exercise more. It's such a struggle. I know WLS isn't an easy undertaking I just don't want to explain a lot of my feeling to others. I'm terrified all way around. I have taken on some huge stuff in my life, but this is...I don't even have good words for it yet.

I'm telling all my business...LOL, but this is my only resource thus far. I did find a YTer I follow who said she would speak with me about her surgery, she even sent me her phone number. I thought that was really sweet.

I see a counselor for PTSD (war vet) and I'll discuss these things with her.

@, I so agree with what you have shared and you made me laugh at the end. excellent suggestion.

@@HopefulMe2016, I hurt that you are unable to talk with any of your BFF's or share your true feelings with them enough that they would be understanding. I will add that maybe you should kinda drop some ideas of how you feel to gage how they think of the idea of WLS. Talk about the issues you have been experiencing.

-Maybe because we tend to put on errs that everything is okay pple don't know and that's when judgement comes in. I use to be like you and realize they won't know until I speak up and out (break out of my own shell).

-I do feel your pain and just as its mentioned above we are here as supporters of one another.I do pray your strength through this journey. Also I'm glad to read that you are receiving counseling for one thing as this journey will allow you to open on other areas of your circumstances. Congratulations on the beginning of the new you.

@@Applebootom9 I'm usually very vocal to those in my inner circle. I think at times I tell too much of my business. I think it's shame that is stopping me from telling my sisters. I know my sister closest to me would be supportive, my oldest sister, love her to death, but she's always been "the boss of me" since we were little. Probably the reason I won't tell her until after. She would be that worrisome family member.

It's all so new yet (still waiting on my first consult) trust me I don't put on airs and everyone knows I'm unhappy with my weight among other things in my life. It's all a work in progress.

Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it.

does anyone know if I can wear braids during surgery such as senagalese twist

I had two Goddess French braids and I loved them.

@@HopefulMe2016 Thank you for the response and I'm so happy that you are taking time educating yourself on the upcoming steps that your looking forward to taking. Also I do understand better what your expressing. I'm the older sister too .

I look forward to hearing from you more throughout this endeavor, good luck and Happy New Year!

As far as the hair question, I had a partial sew-in and it was fine. They just don't want any metal in your hair because of the instruments they use during surgery. They don't want any metal on you anywhere, so I had to take my toe rings off etc.

Wow I read the entire thread. I was sleeved nov. 24 2015. I have no regrets went back to work in 2 weeks. I am working out and continue on liquids and maintaining my protein intake. Have not had a lot of throwing up. But when I eat something I know immediately if it does not agree with me. I am not far enough along to experience hair loss yet. I am taking my vitamins faithfully. Don't need this problem. I already have issues of hair loss around my edges without the sleeve. I am an older sleever age 49 will be 50 March 2016. Happy to see the topic look forward to reading more.

I'm a sista and so far soul food had been ok with some modifications. I made baked macaroni n cheese for my family over the holiday they raved over it. I used pasta called dreamfields 2% milk shredded sharp cheese the pasta has 7 grams protein I think. Greens digested ok but I was a little gastric, no meat in greens broth meat had to much fat. So far hair is natural but dry sometimes but keep hydrated , take vitamins deep condition ,no breakage so far according to my hair dresser . No fried foods I do miss my fried chicken ,fried fish but hey who needs that extra fat. I grill, bake, broil. BBQ ribs ok I took my own lean meat to cookouts my friends love my fresh fruit salad . I'm 10 months post op lost 75lbs. My struggle is writing down tracking what I eat portion control . For me to get this 30lbs off by March 1. When I do I would have lost 100lbs on my 1yr anniversary . Soul food is ok depending on how it is prepared/portion

@@RockinRobin59 I'm pretty much in the same boat but had to come to some realizations. First and foremost i have lost about 70 lbs and still need to lose about 33 more lbs for my weight goal achievement by my surgiversary April 13, 2016. Just like you I don't track on paper but I also have stayed realistic about the things I have and Have not been doing correctly and made the decision to make my first New Years resolution for 2016 (Its been yrs since I've made one).

1. Stay true to who I want to be

2. Stick to the choices that are going to make me a better person as well as the person I want to be!

3. BELIEVE: Through all things GOD is in Control.

4. FAITH: I can get where GOD want me to be.

5. TRUTH+HONESTY: No Explanation Needed.

Through this journey I have not been true to myself, I was still running. I'm no longer running and have relaxed and got back on track: Working out, using Protein and drinking more water.

To start 2016, I believe the brain has finally caught up with what my body wants and need.

I guess what I'm saying is recognize your truth and the rest will follow.

I wish you the best and believe you will meet your goal by March 1st.

I've been trying to find am African American sleeve group on fb specifically for us men. But I can't find that either . do you know of any

My surgery is in two days (1/15) in California and I'm a little nervous. Thankfully reading this thread, with all your experiences, has brought me some peace.

Please keep me in your prayers. ????????

I've been trying to find am African American sleeve group on fb specifically for us men. But I can't find that either . do you know of any

Charles, they are here, I am not one, but have seen several chime in from here or there. The is more than 1 African American Sleevers topic. I think they are both just really long. A simple search may help.

Thanks Applebottom9 for the encouragement . I pulled out my scale and committed to writing down things for one week at suggested by my nutritionist . I'm joining a free Zumba class. I have too do more cardio. I pray daily for God to help me do what I need to do to become healthy . Cause I have Kingdom work that I'm excited about to do. I'm putting a side every weight 30 lbs????????