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.

Yes! It's been a year for me as we'll and I LOVE my hair. I became quite the product junkie at first but finally found what works for me. I love black castor oil and coconut oil is my all time favorite mixed with water. Just curious.....did you experience any hair loss? I'm not looking forward to that. I'm in kinky twist and plan to stay in this style for about 2 months then get micros. I'm not looking forward to clumps of my hair falling out. I'm planning to do olive oil deep conditioning and co washes weekly hoping that will help. We'll see how it goes

I haven't had any hair loss other than the usual. My problem was my hair getting really dry, but I just took fish oil pills to help with that. Another thing that I did was the egg, avocado and coconut oil deep condition, followed by a co-wash and then I did twists. That pretty much revived my hair. Now it feels amazing. :-)

I want to get more kinky twists. I love those! Micros, I'm scared to get because of my hair grade. Lol

How are you feeling? I'm so nervous for some reason. I can't wait to be sleeved but the pain and recovery process scare me....maybe I'm just being big baby lol I start my preop tomorrow.

I am super nervous about the recovery! I just started my journey and won't get sleeved until may 2013( hopefully) but the recovery has been on my mind since I first started researching the gastric sleeve back in June of this year.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm hoping to loc my hair once the perm grows out. Has anyone tried the Biotin vitamins or shampoo?

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

I haven't had any hair loss other than the usual. My problem was my hair getting really dry, but I just took fish oil pills to help with that. Another thing that I did was the egg, avocado and coconut oil deep condition, followed by a co-wash and then I did twists. That pretty much revived my hair. Now it feels amazing. :-)

I want to get more kinky twists. I love those! Micros, I'm scared to get because of my hair grade. Lol

hair grade?? lol. that mixture sounds good!!! i plan on getting my hair braided this friday (sleeved next tuesday) i am very careful with keeping the braids in for too long because my edges always go thin. i have strong thick hair though esp after my daughter BUT in the middle its always lacking the moisture!!! i just hope and pray that my hair doesnt fall out., if it does i plan on going for a short rihanna cut lol

How are you feeling? I'm so nervous for some reason. I can't wait to be sleeved but the pain and recovery process scare me....maybe I'm just being big baby lol I start my preop tomorrow.

whaaaat! i am terrified with so much anxiety. honestly im not nervous about the surgery im nervous about the healing and taking care of my 2 year old while me and my husband are separated right now. im scared of just everyday movement getting her dressed,giving her a bath, putting her in the car seat. she will be at day care all day and i have 3 weeks off of work which is good i just very ready and excited to heal and start really losing. pre op diet has me down 4 pounds so far but feeling weak with headaches.

All respect goes to my African American Brothers and Sisters that stepped up to make a change in our health. Statistics are not on our side when it comes to diabetes and high blood pressure. # saluteyouall

November 6th for me!!!

Sent from my Samsung Admire using VST

Nov 16th

All respect goes to my African American Brothers and Sisters that stepped up to make a change in our health. Statistics are not on our side when it comes to diabetes and high blood pressure. # saluteyouall

You are right the statistics are not on our side...I thought I had escaped it up until I turned 30 and now I have high blood pressure and I am pre diabetic... So there is no time like the present to make this change:)

Hey Leleboo where can I find them? I went to Walmart tonight and bought the Six Star Whey Protein elite mix- vanilla flavor 60 grams of protein

Hey SugarTee you can find them at The Vitamin Shoppe, if you don't have one in your area you can order online and it's free shipping for purchases over $25. If you like Oreo type cookies you have to try the Syntax Nectar Cookies and Cream - mixed with skim milk- could not believe it was a protein shake.

Hey SugarTee you can find them at The Vitamin Shoppe' date=' if you don't have one in your area you can order online and it's free shipping for purchases over 25. If you like Oreo type cookies you have to try the Syntax Nectar Cookies and Cream - mixed with skim milk- could not believe it was a protein shake.[/quote']

Thanks Leleboo, I will go tomorrow for sure. The only thing is I don't like milk( no kind)... Is it good with water...:-/

hair grade?? lol. that mixture sounds good!!! i plan on getting my hair braided this friday (sleeved next tuesday) i am very careful with keeping the braids in for too long because my edges always go thin. i have strong thick hair though esp after my daughter BUT in the middle its always lacking the moisture!!! i just hope and pray that my hair doesnt fall out.' date=' if it does i plan on going for a short rihanna cut lol[/quote']

My hair grade is between a 3c and 4a.

When you moisturize your hair try wetting it first, using a good moisturizer or leave-in conditioner, then using your favorite oil. Most folks like olive oil or jojoba oil. I use coconut oil most of the time. The oil is going to trap in the moisture. Give it a try. :-)

My hair grade is between a 3c and 4a.

When you moisturize your hair try wetting it first' date=' using a good moisturizer or leave-in conditioner, then using your favorite oil. Most folks like olive oil or jojoba oil. I use coconut oil most of the time. The oil is going to trap in the moisture. Give it a try. :-)[/quote']

Thank u so much for the product tips!!! My mom would benefit from this too. I'm sorry if I sound naive but how do u know your hair grade and how do u find that out?? Being Jamaican and 4 aunts who are hair dressers I feel.completely out of touch LOL. Oh yea PS. I looooive coconut oil as well and I use motions hair lotion a lot. I actually use it in place of conditioner

Sent from my Samsung Admire using VST

Thank u so much for the product tips!!! My mom would benefit from this too. I'm sorry if I sound naive but how do u know your hair grade and how do u find that out?? Being Jamaican and 4 aunts who are hair dressers I feel.completely out of touch LOL. Oh yea PS. I looooive coconut oil as well and I use motions hair lotion a lot. I actually use it in place of conditioner

Sent from my Samsung Admire using VST

I just googled hair grades for black women. There are charts and pictures to help you out. Some are kind of bad, but most say the same thing.

whaaaat! i am terrified with so much anxiety. honestly im not nervous about the surgery im nervous about the healing and taking care of my 2 year old while me and my husband are separated right now. im scared of just everyday movement getting her dressed' date='giving her a bath, putting her in the car seat. she will be at day care all day and i have 3 weeks off of work which is good i just very ready and excited to heal and start really losing. pre op diet has me down 4 pounds so far but feeling weak with headaches.[/quote']

My preop diet is going well also...I can't wait to have this lap and removed. I also worried about the pain of everyday movement. Motherhood doesn't slow down so ill be right along with you doing laundry, being the mommy taxi, cooking, grocery shopping, and working. I'm hoping my body responds well so I can do everything that needs to be done. I'm planning to return to work 4 days postop. The journey begins soon.......YIKES!!!