Hi my name is Heather and I had RNY on 11/18/13. I am looking to connect with other African American women who had RNY. Any takers?

Edited January 18, 201412 yr by mzheatherp

i know it sounds crazy, but I didn't wash my hair during the first 6 months and I guess it helped me with the thinning of my hair because I didn't perm it or anything during those 6 months and when I did wash it, it was thick and healthy although I did have the hair loss. But I've heard of people taking the vitamin Biotin...it helps the hair and nails.

I take 5000 mcg of biotin a day. Got my hair braided 4 wks ago, I can normally go 8-10 wks with braids. I have so much new growth it's crazy. I also have been upping my protein and my vitamins. I'm 11 mos out and have only had minimum hair loss and i shaved it all off in the beginning m

Hi everyone,

I live in the Washington DC area and was all set to get a gastric sleeve earlier this week. I'd been working towards this for a year, only to find out at the last minute (I had already started my pre-op diet) that my insurance won't approve the sleeve, but will approve the bypass.

I originally didn't want a bypass -- i thought it was too scary/too extensive. Now that I know it's my only choice, i'm coming around to the idea and just found this forum. If I give my doc the go ahead, I can probably get on the surgery schedule for April.

Any encouraging thoughts would be much appreciated. Are there any DC ladies here?

I never considered sleeve. But I love my bypass. 11 months and 148 lbs off. I started out very large and have 60 more to my goal and 100 to docs, but that's way to small I need some curves somewhere lol

Georgia,I had mine 2/26/2013 bs:333,dos:315,cw:202 ,gw:140

Hi ladies when did you guys start buying New /used cloths. and I notice the scale moving, my cloths are huge and I am getting many compliments from family and friends BUT I look at my self and I cant see my weight loss does/did anyone experience this.

I know the feeling! Take a picture of yourself and you will not believe your eyes. I just took a pic yesterday and didn't believe it was me. As for the clothes I feel that the bigger the clothes the bigger you look. Purchase a couple of items in your size. You could even buy them one size smaller depending on how the feel to u. Don't spend a lot because you will not wear them for long. Try thrift stores and clearance racks. Happy shopping!

Yes, I know exactly how you feel. My husband says I look a 1/3 of my original size, but when I look in the mirror, I still see myself overweight, like I haven't lost much. Or as I go about my day, I feel very heavy and think "oh no, I'm gaining weight!" I think because we have been trapped inside of our larger selves for so long, that it takes a long while to realize that we are changing or have changed. I struggle with body image alot now, almost obsessively. I think there are a lot of us who feel this way. Keep up the great work!

You can say that again! It's the story of my life.

Hi everyone, I live in the Washington DC area and was all set to get a gastric sleeve earlier this week. I'd been working towards this for a year, only to find out at the last minute (I had already started my pre-op diet) that my insurance won't approve the sleeve, but will approve the bypass. I originally didn't want a bypass -- i thought it was too scary/too extensive. Now that I know it's my only choice, i'm coming around to the idea and just found this forum. If I give my doc the go ahead, I can probably get on the surgery schedule for April. Any encouraging thoughts would be much appreciated. Are there any DC ladies here?

I was scared too so in 07 I got the band, well I had a revision almost 6 months ago to bypass and I absolutely love it! I wish I would've did it in 07. Good luck and keep us posted!

Good evening everyone! I am 8 days away from surgery (03/03/14) I'm on the pre-op diet. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. This is my time, God has opened this door for me. I am determined to see what awaits!

^{I drove home and raided my moms closet for new cloths. I still see the larger me when I look in the mirror. I think that at some point a stsrted to envision my self a certain way. I always said I look good no matter my size. I think I need to start taking pictures so I can REALLY see what I look like. Old habits die hard.}

Hello Sistars I wanted to mention that I applied for the Insure Nutrition and recieved 4 18 cases (72)of protien shakes a 30day supply of vit. and the scar cream all charged to my insurance. I didnt know if it was scam but I was approved. Has anyone else been approved? My insurance didnt pay for the liquid vit.I know how much this saves me a month on protein. Please share your experiences.

Hello Sistars I wanted to mention that I applied for the Insure Nutrition and recieved 4 18 cases (72)of protien shakes a 30day supply of vit. and the scar cream all charged to my insurance. I didnt know if it was scam but I was approved. Has anyone else been approved? My insurance didnt pay for the liquid vit.I know how much this saves me a month on protein. Please share your experiences.

I was approved but ny sergeon wouldn't sign off cause he say i should be getting protein from food so i still buy them

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Edited June 7, 201412 yr by RnJsNana

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Edited June 7, 201412 yr by RnJsNana

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Edited June 7, 201412 yr by RnJsNana

Mzshay - Have you tried getting your family physician sign off on them? The company called me and said they could send it to my family physician. My surgeons office was closed due to snow and his secretary got behind on paperwork.

Mine was delayed due to my secondary insurance wanted my primary insurance to deny it first. But my first shipment is coming Friday.

Yea she be acting scary i just said forget it

Hey all. Just wanted to share what I have been going through. On 2/25th my stomach started hurting and I just thought it was the normal pain I get due to having this small pouch and my new food sensitivities. Well on 2/27th I ended up in the ER and they ran tests and did a scan. They saw that I had a golf ball size cyst on my right ovary that ruptured, causing some blood and fluid that leaked into my abdomen. They told me that this was why I was in pain. I was sent home and told that the pain would resolve itself in a few days. I explained to them that I didn't have pain in my pelvic area, but that the pain was high up in the middle right under my bra.

Well, long story short, the pain didn't go away so I contacted my bariatric surgeon and he did a scope, but didn't see anything wrong. He then had me come back Friday Mar 21st and do a laporotamy (not sure if I spelled that correctly, but it is a procedure where he looks inside my lower stomach, intestines...) After I awakened from outpatient surgery I was told that I had to stay overnight.

I was surprised because I figured that he would look around, find nothing and I would just be sent home again to deal with the pain and continued liquid diet, but my surgeon did find something. I had a big hernia and my intestines were twisted up and around at the bypass site. He performed surgery and I stayed in the hospital overnight. I am so happy that he found something because since Feb 25th I cried nearly everyday from pain and lack of nutrition and I told my husband that I just can't go on this way. I am recovering now. I am not supposed to do any lifting for 6 weeks.

I wanted to share this with you all, because if you are having a problem don't hesitate to go to the ER, but if you have a gut feeling that there is still a problem don't accept what you are being told and pursue, pursue, pursue, until you are satisfied with your care. I am grateful to my surgeon for listening to me and checking me despite the ER's explanation. But most of all, I am grateful to GOD for watching over me.