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.

Congrats, on your approval. I was smiling from ear to ear when I got my APPROVAL call from the surgeon. They wanted to schedule pre-op & surgery all w/in the same call. Good luck on your next steps keep us posted

So how lng after approval will it take for me to get a date anyone know

So how lng after approval will it take for me to get a date anyone know

I got mine the same day. Mine is now in 3 days. Cant wait.

I got mine the same day. Mine is now in 3 days. Cant wait.

Congtats best of luck ive heard others say the samething keep us posted..

Finally approved getting sleeved on tues , so scared and excited

Finally approved getting sleeved on tues ' date=' so scared and excited[/quote']

Congratulations on your approval! Prayers for a speedy recovery!

Hi everyone im a 41 year old AA female being sleeved 3-12-13 in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz of alighterme im so exicted anyone from Vancouver Wa

Hello everyone. I am waiting for approval for the gastric sleeve (which will come bcuz I've met all the criteria). I was ready and excited. But 2day I feel scared out of my mind! Somebody plz help me! The reality of cutting away my stomach and this thing being irreversible is really weighing heavy on my soul. Does the cut ever heal over the staples or are u ALWAYS at risk for stomach leakage? I am tearing up as I'm typing bcuz I know I need 2 make a change and time is winding down. With the surgery is your body capable of getting the true correct nutrients, vitamins ane etc.(after all these are the things ur body uses 2 fight off other diseases). My husband says I shouldn't do it. But he's not 100 lbs overweight...I AM! NOW I'm really starting to cry uncontrollably. I need to hear from some REAL PEOPLE....REAL TALK! I'm praying asking God if this is right. O God plz help me! In JESUS NAME

My phone# is 206 251 8584

My phone# is 206 251 8584

Don't cry!!! Look on YouTube at some videos of the surgery and research staples on there. You have to do what's best for you, because you have to live in your body!! Keep praying, watch some vsg videos and ask God to give you guidance and peace with your decision! It will be ok!

Hello everyone. I am waiting for approval for the gastric sleeve (which will come bcuz I've met all the criteria). I was ready and excited. But 2day I feel scared out of my mind! Somebody plz help me! The reality of cutting away my stomach and this thing being irreversible is really weighing heavy on my soul. Does the cut ever heal over the staples or are u ALWAYS at risk for stomach leakage? I am tearing up as I'm typing bcuz I know I need 2 make a change and time is winding down. With the surgery is your body capable of getting the true correct nutrients' date=' vitamins ane etc.(after all these are the things ur body uses 2 fight off other diseases). My husband says I shouldn't do it. But he's not 100 lbs overweight...I AM! NOW I'm really starting to cry uncontrollably. I need to hear from some REAL PEOPLE....REAL TALK! I'm praying asking God if this is right. O God plz help me! In JESUS NAME[/quote']

Hey Hun! Everything will be fine. Just make sure you follow your nutritionist and physician orders. I had mine done 11/19/12. And its the best decision I've ever made. You have to keep up with your vitamins, proteins, and fluids for the rest of your life. You will be able to eat whatever you want again. As for healing, I wasn't hurting after about 10 days. But you still have to be careful and take it easy for about 6wks. My name is Nikki and I'm in TX. Call me if you have any other questions...6822303785

I had my surgery December 3rd 2012 i haven't had any hair loss other than the hair i already had due to age but i did have a lot of problems with the protein shakes they make me sick to stomach and i tried all types and brands. As far as i know i don't think it's a culture issue. As far as the soul food issue i will find out this thanksgiving when i go to my cousin's house in Oakland for my Aunt Daisy's Louisiana cooking. I have decided since i can eat only a little i will only eat sweet potatoes but we'll see cause the Gumbo is good too. Sorry i got off topic there. Anyways i think eventually you can eat anything in reason in smaller amounts. I tried some collar greens a few weeks ago but i don't think my stomach is ready as i recently just started being able to eat more than 5 bites of food a day. ( i was an extreme case) things are a lot better now though thank the lord. I had no energy for weeks cause i couldn't eat or drink protein. I have a question though does any one else find that the smell of most fast food makes them nauseous? I find driving by McDonald's makes me sick from the smell of the fryer. I have noticed my skin seems extra dry but i don't know if it's the surgery or the winter weather.

Nikki_D good luck with your surgery your gonna feel so much better

Hello everyone. I am waiting for approval for the gastric sleeve (which will come bcuz I've met all the criteria). I was ready and excited. But 2day I feel scared out of my mind! Somebody plz help me! The reality of cutting away my stomach and this thing being irreversible is really weighing heavy on my soul. Does the cut ever heal over the staples or are u ALWAYS at risk for stomach leakage? I am tearing up as I'm typing bcuz I know I need 2 make a change and time is winding down. With the surgery is your body capable of getting the true correct nutrients, vitamins ane etc.(after all these are the things ur body uses 2 fight off other diseases). My husband says I shouldn't do it. But he's not 100 lbs overweight...I AM! NOW I'm really starting to cry uncontrollably. I need to hear from some REAL PEOPLE....REAL TALK! I'm praying asking God if this is right. O God plz help me! In JESUS NAME

These are all normal feelings and i felt the same way. I prayed about it too before hand. I will say it's not always easy but it is still worth it. If your real concerned i would ask your surgeon but i will tell you what mine said. Leakage is very rare and in most cases it is caused by our own doing. It takes a few months for the staples to fully heal but there is not always a risk of leakage but if you try to overindulge too much frequently you can hurt yourself. It is not the easy way out as some people like to judge us and say as you have to totally change the way you eat. You will eventually get too have all the things you want but in very small sizes and not everyday. I'll pray for you for god to show you the way to whats right for you regardless of what that is.

I had my surgery December 3rd 2012 i haven't had any hair loss other than the hair i already had due to age but i did have a lot of problems with the protein shakes they make me sick to stomach and i tried all types and brands. As far as i know i don't think it's a culture issue. As far as the soul food issue i will find out this thanksgiving when i go to my cousin's house in Oakland for my Aunt Daisy's Louisiana cooking. I have decided since i can eat only a little i will only eat sweet potatoes but we'll see cause the Gumbo is good too. Sorry i got off topic there. Anyways i think eventually you can eat anything in reason in smaller amounts. I tried some collar greens a few weeks ago but i don't think my stomach is ready as i recently just started being able to eat more than 5 bites of food a day. ( i was an extreme case) things are a lot better now though thank the lord. I had no energy for weeks cause i couldn't eat or drink protein. I have a question though does any one else find that the smell of most fast food makes them nauseous? I find driving by McDonald's makes me sick from the smell of the fryer. I have noticed my skin seems extra dry but i don't know if it's the surgery or the winter weather.

Nikki_D good luck with your surgery your gonna feel so much better

I was sleeved Dec. 19, 2012. So far I lost 33lb. I can't drink the protein shakes either. So I focus on protein first. I eat a lot of fish, shrimp, and chili. I'm always looking for stuff with high protein. As far as food smells OMG it makes me ill. Things I use to love smells vile to me now. I thank God for that or I might have cheated. I still can eat only small amounts and I must say I really don't miss food. How much have you lost so far?