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.

Hi my fellow sleeverers. I was sleeved on October 3rd so far im doing ok some gas and struggle geting enough protien and water but it gets easier everyday.

Hi everyone. It's exciting to see this thread and compare notes. I was sleeved on the 11th of Sept. Right now, I have to remember to chew until my heart is content, but I'm not that bad. Sometimes I think will I forget that I had this surgery, but the bill will be a wonderful reminder. Lol

To all the October babies, don't be nervous because the surgery goes pretty quick. The worst part about the surgery is that it's freaking cold in that O.R. room, but that's all of 10 seconds of torture. Oh and if you just so happen to crack your eyes open during the surgery, like I did, EVERYTHING goes in fast forward, even folks talking, and then you go right back to sleep. Lol

The worst part after the surgery is no one wants you to sleep at first, so they'll try to keep you awake. My sister kept hitting me over the head with one of those little get well soon balloons, so that made me drugged out angry enough to sorta stay awake. And the other part is vomiting. You might not be able to get comfy, but you'll have to vomit a few times, which is perfectly normal... The sucky part is that you may not have control over your bladder, so yeah... You'll have to slowly creep out of bed.

And the last part is everything gets cold, but hospital blankets are amazing! I had like 9 of them and was wrapped up like the virgin Mary, which my sis took a picture of. Lol

[ATTACH]5463[/ATTACH]

Really, it's not torture. You'll feel discomfort and sore, of course, but the only real pain you'll feel, more so than your tummy, is that damn IV, which made me cold. Lol

This was my first ever surgery and I took it like a champ. Be excited and don't be nervous... You won't be awake for the part to feel nervous about. Take the proper time off work and get some sleep! Sleep is your friend!!!

Hope this helps and makes someone get rid of their nervous shakes. :-)

P.S. The nurses were ecstatic about my new tattoo. Lol

[ATTACH]5462[/ATTACH]

Hi everyone. It's exciting to see this thread and compare notes. I was sleeved on the 11th of Sept. Right now' date=' I have to remember to chew until my heart is content, but I'm not that bad. Sometimes I think will I forget that I had this surgery, but the bill will be a wonderful reminder. Lol

To all the October babies, don't be nervous because the surgery goes pretty quick. The worst part about the surgery is that it's freaking cold in that O.R. room, but that's all of 10 seconds of torture. Oh and if you just so happen to crack your eyes open during the surgery, like I did, EVERYTHING goes in fast forward, even folks talking, and then you go right back to sleep. Lol

The worst part after the surgery is no one wants you to sleep at first, so they'll try to keep you awake. My sister kept hitting me over the head with one of those little get well soon balloons, so that made me drugged out angry enough to sorta stay awake. And the other part is vomiting. You might not be able to get comfy, but you'll have to vomit a few times, which is perfectly normal... The sucky part is that you may not have control over your bladder, so yeah... You'll have to slowly creep out of bed.

And the last part is everything gets cold, but hospital blankets are amazing! I had like 9 of them and was wrapped up like the virgin Mary, which my sis took a picture of. Lol

Really, it's not torture. You'll feel discomfort and sore, of course, but the only real pain you'll feel, more so than your tummy, is that damn IV, which made me cold. Lol

This was my first ever surgery and I took it like a champ. Be excited and don't be nervous... You won't be awake for the part to feel nervous about. Take the proper time off work and get some sleep! Sleep is your friend!!!

Hope this helps and makes someone get rid of their nervous shakes. :-)

P.S. The nurses were ecstatic about my new tattoo. Lol

[/quote']

Oh my that tattoo is huge. I take it your going to have it colored in. Didnt you want to wait until you lost the weight? Not sure how tattoos do with a lot of weihtloss

Oh my that tattoo is huge. I take it your going to have it colored in. Didnt you want to wait until you lost the weight? Not sure how tattoos do with a lot of weihtloss

Lol yeah, I'm getting it colored and it won't look bad when I loose weight. Seen folks my size slim down and they look fine afterwards.

I'm doing fine, just got out it was dehydration ! I'm doing much better thanks yall .

I'm doing fine' date=' just got out it was dehydration ! I'm doing much better thanks yall .[/quote']

Glad your feeling better - I went thru that de-hydration & had to go to the hospital a week after surgery... I try to drink as much water as I can now - water is good to me again... Happy Sunday to you.. God is good...

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi everyone. It's exciting to see this thread and compare notes. I was sleeved on the 11th of Sept. Right now' date=' I have to remember to chew until my heart is content, but I'm not that bad. Sometimes I think will I forget that I had this surgery, but the bill will be a wonderful reminder. Lol

To all the October babies, don't be nervous because the surgery goes pretty quick. The worst part about the surgery is that it's freaking cold in that O.R. room, but that's all of 10 seconds of torture. Oh and if you just so happen to crack your eyes open during the surgery, like I did, EVERYTHING goes in fast forward, even folks talking, and then you go right back to sleep. Lol

The worst part after the surgery is no one wants you to sleep at first, so they'll try to keep you awake. My sister kept hitting me over the head with one of those little get well soon balloons, so that made me drugged out angry enough to sorta stay awake. And the other part is vomiting. You might not be able to get comfy, but you'll have to vomit a few times, which is perfectly normal... The sucky part is that you may not have control over your bladder, so yeah... You'll have to slowly creep out of bed.

And the last part is everything gets cold, but hospital blankets are amazing! I had like 9 of them and was wrapped up like the virgin Mary, which my sis took a picture of. Lol

Really, it's not torture. You'll feel discomfort and sore, of course, but the only real pain you'll feel, more so than your tummy, is that damn IV, which made me cold. Lol

This was my first ever surgery and I took it like a champ. Be excited and don't be nervous... You won't be awake for the part to feel nervous about. Take the proper time off work and get some sleep! Sleep is your friend!!!

Hope this helps and makes someone get rid of their nervous shakes. :-)

P.S. The nurses were ecstatic about my new tattoo. Lol

[/quote']

Wow, how long did that tattoo take to be drawn.. I bet it's gonna look awesome when it's all colored in - looks cool even now but what exactly is it of?? I have no tattoos but have wanted one a long time, that was painful huh??

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Wow' date=' how long did that tattoo take to be drawn.. I bet it's gonna look awesome when it's all colored in - looks cool even now but what exactly is it of?? I have no tattoos but have wanted one a long time, that was painful huh??

Sent from my iPhone using VST[/quote']

It took about 3 hours to tattoo, but it wasn't as painful as some may think it is. I was just getting impatient half way threw... This is my 9th tat.

It says 'only move forward,' which is the way of life that I try to live by.

It took about 3 hours to tattoo' date=' but it wasn't as painful as some may think it is. I was just getting impatient half way threw... This is my 9th tat.

It says 'only move forward,' which is the way of life that I try to live by. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Oh ok, that's a good message & oh so true - always move forward, love it..

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Oh ok' date=' that's a good message & oh so true - always move forward, love it..

Sent from my iPhone using VST[/quote']

thank you! Remembering this helps me through a lot of my life challenges.

P.S. The nurses were ecstatic about my new tattoo. Lol

Wow Awesome Tatt! You are one brave girl how long did that whole thing take? I have 3 Tatts Arm, Back and the worst was Foot( that hurt like a B!)I want a new one on my hip but I want to wait till I lose most of my weight it is just a little extra motivation:)

Wow Awesome Tatt! You are one brave girl how long did that whole thing take? I have 3 Tatts Arm' date=' Back and the worst was Foot( that hurt like a B!)I want a new one on my hip but I want to wait till I lose most of my weight it is just a little extra motivation:)[/quote']

Thank you. :-) It took about 3 hours, but this was only the first session. I have to get it colored in and I want hibiscus flowers scattered about.

I currently have 9 and just want 1 more, on my back, but I'll wait for that one when I lose the weight as well. :-)

I'm doing fine, just got out it was dehydration ! I'm doing much better thanks yall .

Glad you are feeling better. Is there a way to prevent dehydration. yes I know the obvious...drink your fluids, however I understand after surgery you have issues getting things down, aren't hungry/thirsty, etc. Is a matter of forcing yourself to drink or is the pain from drinking so uneasy that you just opt to not drink at all?

Glad you are feeling better. Is there a way to prevent dehydration. yes I know the obvious...drink your fluids' date=' however I understand after surgery you have issues getting things down, aren't hungry/thirsty, etc. Is a matter of forcing yourself to drink or is the pain from drinking so uneasy that you just opt to not drink at all?[/quote']

You just have to keep sipping away. It seems like that is all your doing. Certain temps are easier to get down than others, as are certain liquids. Trial and error you find what works best for you and your taste buds! Some people have used a timer to remind them to sip away. The furthur out you are the easier. I, always have a bottle of crystal light, a diet snapple tea, or pick up a sf 7 Eleven slurpee. I, always have sf popsicles or jello around for a change of pace. Just get those fluids in by any means necessary!

Hi guys anyone have before and after pics? I've looked at so many on YouTube til it's crazy. I'm so excited to see what ill look like in 6 mths

2013 is my year....SD 11/19 Methodist Hosp in NY