Welcome! Feel free to invite other members. I think this will be a great place to discuss issue that we as women of color may face during this process. Thanks for joining

ShoeLover, I have a facebook page for wls, it's TJ's VSG Support Group. If anyone wants to join my info is "T Tjcrazy Johnson". Leave a message for vst.

It's great to have a place to talk to about things that, as I black woman, I'm facing. Everything from body type to what is considered attractive in the community...

Great idea!

How do you post before and after pic?

Hi everybody! I just joined this group as I had seen it listed under another member's profile. I was sleeved 12/8/11 in Indiana. Except for a looooong stall when i got to my 6th month (lasted 10 wks!), everything has been goin fine. I've just recently began to see the scale move downward...altho i attribute it to a sinus infection/flu i suffered thru last wk. Hopefully I will keep on losing.

hi i'm a newbie my vsg surgery is scheduled for Sept 24 and i'm very nervous but i'm glad i found this group i didn't know it was so many AA sister going thought same thing as me thanks for sharing

_{Hi everyone, I am 5 months postop and feeling kind of down. I had surgery on 5/3/12. I was soo excited and scared but I knew that this was what i needed to do for so many reasons. Sleep apnea, heart condition, and so on...the surgery went extremely well and I have lost some weight. Unable to tell just how much because I have not been weighing myself consistently. Matter of fact, I only weigh when I go to my doctor appts and there have only been two since the surgery. I have another appt this month, 9/12. I have gone from a size 28 to a size 24 but I am back to my old eating habits. I did the liquid fast for two weeks before surgery and I did the gradual return to solid foods after surgery. I have not exercised as much as I should and not really understanding why I don't have the motivation to do better. I do have more energy than I had before the surgery and I am walking farther distances but I just can't seem to stick with any type of disciplined food and exercise regimen. The surgery was the tool I needed to help but I must find the mental tools to complete the weight loss. I am a receptionist and I sit at a desk all day and want to snack on anything and everything that is not good for me. It's like I know what I need to do but don't have the will power to do it. As I write this I am crying inside and out because I know nothing is easy and nothing worth having comes easy. I know I must put in the work but ......anyone ben where I am?? Please give me some words of encouragement and support and thanks for listening}

To ksangster, we are here for you. I get in a slump from time to time, especially this stall that I am now in. I have not lost a pound in 2 weeks. So to depress myself further, I have been eating pringles, ice cream, cookies and greasy soul food. I forgot to mention the moscato. But, the upside to that is I didn't gain, but the way I'm going, I will not reach my 6 month goal. So, starting Sunday, I'm going back to the protein shakes and baked fish. Absolutely no snacking nor drinking wine. So come on, let's do this together. We have accomplished the hardest part, the surgery! We can do this!

ksangster and fannyf,

My surgery was may 23, 2011. I started at 223lbs and now I am at 159lbs. You will have a few weeks where you won't drop a pound but then you will have a big drop. Try to get back on your eating plan. Once you start the carb overload you will lose weight very slowly. If you can, put yourself back on the Protein Shakes for a few days and drink plenty of Water. If you sit at a desk for work then try to do leg lifts in your chair and also chair crunches. It really works. I hope this is helpful. Good luck to you. Feel free to contact me any time.

_{Hi everyone, I am 5 months postop and feeling kind of down. I had surgery on 5/3/12. I was soo excited and scared but I knew that this was what i needed to do for so many reasons. Sleep apnea, heart condition, and so on...the surgery went extremely well and I have lost some weight. Unable to tell just how much because I have not been weighing myself consistently. Matter of fact, I only weigh when I go to my doctor appts and there have only been two since the surgery. I have another appt this month, 9/12. I have gone from a size 28 to a size 24 but I am back to my old eating habits. I did the liquid fast for two weeks before surgery and I did the gradual return to solid foods after surgery. I have not exercised as much as I should and not really understanding why I don't have the motivation to do better. I do have more energy than I had before the surgery and I am walking farther distances but I just can't seem to stick with any type of disciplined food and exercise regimen. The surgery was the tool I needed to help but I must find the mental tools to complete the weight loss. I am a receptionist and I sit at a desk all day and want to snack on anything and everything that is not good for me. It's like I know what I need to do but don't have the will power to do it. As I write this I am crying inside and out because I know nothing is easy and nothing worth having comes easy. I know I must put in the work but ......anyone ben where I am?? Please give me some words of encouragement and support and thanks for listening}

Be easy on yourself. It seems like everyone gets into a little slow period, but from what I hear it is short lived. Also for work be prepared for the snacking but maybe bring something to distract you or my some healthy bulky snacks like apple slices or pear slices, they have fiber and will create bulk. Also I have tried Unjury, Chocolate Splender and it is the bomb protein drink. It taste so good. You are doing great, and your Mojo will return. I hope this helps...Much Love.

Hi everybody, I am here to research the sleeve-life. I am still in the grieving stage i guess that's what you would call it. While I am excited about this new alternative to the bypass; I just cannot embrace it at this time. Long story short, I know I am no longer a sz 16. I can look in the mirror or closet and tell. But still when my doctor said that I can't have another surgery until I have weight loss surgery it almost killed me.

Now just a few short years ago I was running off to yoga class and working out 3x a wk. I guess my health issues have gotten the best of me. But low and behold, here I am a size 22, and 76 lbs overweight. Well I hope to meet or make a few friends to help with my research and journey to the other side. My journey back to the healthy old me.

Just received my surgery date today!!!!! Any Nov Surgerys??? My date is 11/6/2012 and I am so excited and nervous, but more excited!

_{Hi everyone, I am 5 months postop and feeling kind of down. I had surgery on 5/3/12. I was soo excited and scared but I knew that this was what i needed to do for so many reasons. Sleep apnea, heart condition, and so on...the surgery went extremely well and I have lost some weight. Unable to tell just how much because I have not been weighing myself consistently. Matter of fact, I only weigh when I go to my doctor appts and there have only been two since the surgery. I have another appt this month, 9/12. I have gone from a size 28 to a size 24 but I am back to my old eating habits. I did the liquid fast for two weeks before surgery and I did the gradual return to solid foods after surgery. I have not exercised as much as I should and not really understanding why I don't have the motivation to do better. I do have more energy than I had before the surgery and I am walking farther distances but I just can't seem to stick with any type of disciplined food and exercise regimen. The surgery was the tool I needed to help but I must find the mental tools to complete the weight loss. I am a receptionist and I sit at a desk all day and want to snack on anything and everything that is not good for me. It's like I know what I need to do but don't have the will power to do it. As I write this I am crying inside and out because I know nothing is easy and nothing worth having comes easy. I know I must put in the work but ......anyone ben where I am?? Please give me some words of encouragement and support and thanks for listening}

don't beat your self up . we all fall down just get back up and as far as your snacking on the job what ever you carving just find a healthy sub like if you want chips eat some peanuts or some carrots with vegetable dip. you can do it

I have not been here in a while!! Hello to all my sleeve sisters!!

Wow LaBelle...you look great! Thanks for sharing your pics with us!

Congrats to all the soon-to-be sleevers out there....woot woot! Keep a positive mind and dont fret on the prob's that other sleevers (including myself) have suffered through...everybody is different!

Best wishes to everybody on their continued journey's

Hi newbie here,

I will be sleeved on Oct 5, 2012. Like everyone else I am excited to learn new things and get information from other sleevers on their journey. Ups and downs...the good, the bad and the ugly about being sleeved and yes, even the saggy breast and skin after surgery. Trying to prepare for my journey.

Does anyone know if there are any groups for the Houston area?

I am in the Houston and I am scheduled for October 15th with Dr. Turnquest... When and where are you having yours?

I am in the Houston and I am scheduled for October 15th with Dr. Turnquest... When and where are you having yours?

My surgery is schedule for this Thursday the 5th of Oct in Tijuana, MX. I leave Houston on the 4th hided to Cali.