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.

@sleeve me plz: I found alot of my information on www.longhaircareforum.com. [You don't have to join you can LURK" until you make a decision, just can't post until you join!] Those ladies on there are AWESOME!!! I grew my hair out for 6 months, I could not take it any more!!! I recruited Ladyvelvet [my Sister] to come over and give me my big chop!!! Honey was she reluctant!!! Anywho . . . long story short I have never regretted a single moment of being natural. If your hair is shoulder length then it will not be a big adjustment for you!! You will be surprised at how strong your natural hair is cause I know I was!! Good luck on your healthy hair journey!!

BTW: you can look at my fotki to see my hair progression: http://public.fotki.com/2sweetnsugarland/

I have locks and I am 3 months post op and have lost no hair, but its probably because I do not brush or comb my hair. So right now natural seems the best way not to loose hair.

I am really worried about my hair because I have soft, fine hair...i was sleeved last monday...gonna start taking Biotin, and also going to start using wild growth hair oil...may incorporate Nioxin if need be

btw i am relaxed...if it gets too bad, i will throw in a weave

I have locks and i am 3 months post op and have loss no hair, but I also do not brush or comb my hair. So natural and not putting stress on hair with chemicals and combs has saved me this far!

I've been natural for almost a year. I still have about 2 inches of relaxed hair on top. I wear my hair in wash and go style - usually with some cute headband. I tend to get about an inch cut off at a time so it's been the same length for awhile. I couldn't bring myself to cut it all off at once.

I have locks and I am 3 months post op and have loss no hair. But i also dont comb or brush it. So natural has worked for me this far.

Hello Ladies. I've read your posts about going natural and I'm very curious. My hair is currently braided and I haven't had a perm in about four months. Without the braids my hair is shoulder length but I have no problems cutting it short. I need some guidance. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

I have locks and I am 3 months post op and have lost no hair! But I don't have to brush or comb it therefore it has no extra stress on it. Natural is the best and has worked with the sleeve this far! Thank God!

Well I finally did it. I cut all of my hair off - all the relaxer is gone. I'm not sure if I like it. Just have to get used to it. I think I look like a boy. At least I won't get have any more hair loss.

Hi All,

I think this is wonderful. I know we are all the same but we differ sometimes when it comes to health conditions. I know some medical conditions are more prevelant to Africian Amerians. I am fairly new on the site, and just beginning this journey. I have still not decided on a doctor. I have attended (4) seminars, and now I am trying to make my decision, (based on # of surgeries performed, hospital,how important is the center of excellence award, pre-op, post-op, group mtgs, reviews by other patients of the doctor, and the list goes on). I would like to stay in touch and see how we are progressing throughout this process. (DOINGITFORME)

Welcome MsPammy!

Congrats on your big chop and I'm sure you do not look like a boy...lol Enjoy your natural hair journey.

Well I finally did it. I cut all of my hair off - all the relaxer is gone. I'm not sure if I like it. Just have to get used to it. I think I look like a boy. At least I won't get have any more hair loss.

Hey '2sweetnsugarland. Thank you for all of the info. Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I was taking a couple of college courses and was a bit overwhelmed. I will definitely check out the website and your fotki. Good luck with your surgery.

@sleeve me plz: I found alot of my information on www.longhaircareforum.com. [You don't have to join you can LURK" until you make a decision, just can't post until you join!] Those ladies on there are AWESOME!!! I grew my hair out for 6 months, I could not take it any more!!! I recruited Ladyvelvet [my Sister] to come over and give me my big chop!!! Honey was she reluctant!!! Anywho . . . long story short I have never regretted a single moment of being natural. If your hair is shoulder length then it will not be a big adjustment for you!! You will be surprised at how strong your natural hair is cause I know I was!! Good luck on your healthy hair journey!!

BTW: you can look at my fotki to see my hair progression: http://public.fotki.com/2sweetnsugarland/

Just want to say hi to everyone. I too am in Atlanta. I am just starting this whole process so I won't be having surgery until early 2012, if I am lucky. I don't have the insurance right now, but will be changing once open enrollment rolls around in Nov. Right now I am attending seminars trying to find the right surgeon. I know that the insurance I will be switching to requires 6 months of supervised diet and exercise visits, so I will start that with my PCP in June. I look forward to getting to know you ladies.

Welcome aboard!! We are happy to have you here.

Just want to say hi to everyone. I too am in Atlanta. I am just starting this whole process so I won't be having surgery until early 2012, if I am lucky. I don't have the insurance right now, but will be changing once open enrollment rolls around in Nov. Right now I am attending seminars trying to find the right surgeon. I know that the insurance I will be switching to requires 6 months of supervised diet and exercise visits, so I will start that with my PCP in June. I look forward to getting to know you ladies.

Welcome onemoretry1. Like your name by the way - it says everything.

Hi All! Thought I check in.... well I am about 14 weeks out and only down 53 pounds. I am happy with that though I thought it would be more. But I was having a talk with my girlfriend who said that a slower weightloss is what I need not to bring any sideeyes from my job (I work in public health in the obesity and physical activity field), to get my husband use to my changes (he has not complained that I am "too thin" yet.) She think the slow weightloss allows him to get use to my body in phases. He likes big women. He maaried me at my highest of 331. My hair is holding up. I have been keeping it braided up with either tree braids or a sew-in. When I do take it out, I deep condition and let it stay ot for about a week to see how or if it shedding. My skin look okay (my breast area is the worst). I told my hubby that I will propably get a breast job at the end of my journey

I just came off a 9 day stall, so yes stalling does keep happing for me at least once a month. I haven' t worked out in about 23 days by doctors orders. I have a seperate condition that is demanding no physical activity until after my second round of meds are completed and I have another chest X-ray.

So overall I am pleased. I know this is a marathon and not a race. My next overly ambitious goal is to be at 200 pounds by my daughter's 1st birthday July 6. I have 28 pounds to go. I don't think I will make it but shooting for it gives me motivation. I go back for my medical check up in 7 days, so I hope to get approval to workout. If I do, then I have a chance.

hope you ladies are doing well and feeling great. Have a blessed day.

Hi everyone, I will be 41 this year. YIPPEE. I am just starting the process but hope to have the surgery this year. My hubby is not so enthusiastic about it but I am doing this for me. "All of my life" I have had boobs and butt. When I was 11 my grandmother passed and my mother and I were both wearing 34C’s can you imagine being the only girl in the 4^th grade with boobs. I skipped training bras so for these to go, I am okay with that, it will allow me to wear a lot of styles I have not been able to because of my "girls"…..fast forwarding to today, I am a 40K. Yes, I have to pay good money to tame these "girls". J I have my initial consult on this week along with a nutritionist appointment. I am hoping because I have seen my PCP for weight issues for the last 18 months will count and I won’t be delayed too much. My only concern is I have fibroids, borderline anemia and I had a major accident almost 3 years ago that left me with a titanium rod in my leg. I do have a co-morbidity of hypertension so maybe one will cancel out the other.

ATL-I am so glad you started this topic as I have questions about hair loss—I am natural and keloids, if anyone has had to deal with those.

Thanks for posting everyone—it helps us newbies.

Hi Ladies,

Just making my mark here, I am also so glad for this thread, this whole site is very helpful but it's great that there is all this information from indepth like minded people.

I am from South East London in the UK where ever you are from though please feel free to contact me, not that I am much help at the moment .

I am 25 Black British born Caribbean and I am currently around the 255lbs mark . I also have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)which makes it very difficult to loose weight, I started off wanting the the band but after research decided on the sleeve.

My main concerns are hair loss, excess skin and I also wanted to find out what Vitamins you all take, there are so many different ones but it would be great if anyone had any suggestions on the best ones to take