African American vsgers!

[brandnewme2015 217]

Congrats on your decision @rp1980. Wishing you success on your journey!

[got2bslim4me 15]

Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

[TammyDTM 391]

Hi Dione,

Congratulations on your decision to be a healthier you!

I would suggest you walk a lot and do some extra strength training on your lower body.

I have been doing a lot of walking and have lost a lot of inches off of my hips and thighs. I am apple-shaped and I wish the inches would leave faster from my upper body. Especially my stomach. Oh boy! Everyone says that the stomach is the last to go. I can't wait for it's exit!

[motherof5 364]

I totally agree with the stomach issue. I still have a ways to go with lose but the sides of my stomach are smooth. The front sticks out,smh. I use a waist cincher and it helps with the inches on my stomach.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

I'm not pear shaped, but I am definitely bottom heavy. Even though I have lost 80lbs I can still wear some of my old clothes because of my thighs & hips. I've been doing a lot of cardio and some weight lifting/strength training. I'm going to try and switch that around. My biggest challenge is arthritis in both my knees.

On a positive note, the stretch marks on my tummy and arms appear to be fading as I lose weight.

[got2bslim4me 15]

Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

I'm not pear shaped, but I am definitely bottom heavy. Even though I have lost 80lbs I can still wear some of my old clothes because of my thighs & hips. I've been doing a lot of cardio and some weight lifting/strength training. I'm going to try and switch that around. My biggest challenge is arthritis in both my knees.

On a positive note, the stretch marks on my tummy and arms appear to be fading as I lose weight.

Congratulations on your weight loss! That's awesome. I know that I will have to be diligent in working out to tone my trouble areas. I love Water aerobics and swimming, so I hope I can start off with that before the summer ends. Have you tried Water exercises? Your news on stretch marks is definitely encouraging. I'm looking at firming and stretch mark creams right now. Thank you for replying and I wish you continued success.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I do aquafit classes at my gym. However like everything I do, I go hard. I was going to the gym 5 - 6 days a week. I had to take this week off because my knees were really starting to hurt. At my gym the aquafit classes vary depending on whose teaching. Some classes are weight lifting and stretching, others are like zumba in the Water and others are high energy aerobic workouts with lots of jumping and running laps in the pool. I wear supportive TEVA Water shoes, but my knees were starting to feel it. I just need to change up my routine. I'm only going to do one high energy class a week and then try and add some other types of exercise into my routine.

For the incisions I used scarfade gel since I tend to keloid. On my stomach and arms I just used bio oil, however I have very dry skin so I use Johnson's baby oil gel with aloe vera on my body daily after showering. I also drink plenty of water so I think it's really a combination of things.

[MyssJones 84]

Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

I'm also pear-shaped (meaning my waist is at least 20 inches smaller than my hips). It seems I've lost weight all over, including my waist. I started out at 402 and on my surgery date (12/15/14) I was 370. I am currently at about 335, so I've lost weight kind of slow or at a more natural pace. I still have about 135 to lose but I think I'm happy with my progress so far.

I definitely recommend exercising regularly in some form (including weight training) and sticking to high Protein, high veggie diet.

Edited May 4, 2015 by MyssJones

[Highdee215 11]

Hello Ladies. I am early in my journey (meeting with the surgeon in two weeks) but I am so scared about losing my hair. I have very nice dread logs and I am so afraid of losing them. Did anyone notice lots of loss? If so, how much and for how long?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Highdee215 - I have just a little past bra strap length locs. I noticed a little thinning around the end of month 5. Mostly it's just my temple area. This was already a weak spot for me because I am post menopausal. I already take Biotin and use JBC regularly. I am 7½ months and it seems to have stabilized. I don't see lots of new growth, but it doesn't feel like it's getting any worse. I can style around the thinning areas and I've just taken care to be extra gentle with my hair. Apparently there is not much you can do except wait it out. I meet my Protein and fluids goals daily. I get between 70 - 85 gms of protein each day and take my Vitamins and supplements daily.

[Highdee215 11]

Thanks @@BLERDgirl for the info. It calmed my nerves....

[Ms. Babyboo 25]

Hi everyone my name is badia I go by babyboo I have been slowly getting my clearances done due to lack of support and a recent change of heart and fear I'm back at it now ready to finish my clearance so I can get a date for surgery everyone wish me luck

Edited May 5, 2015 by Ms. Babyboo

[brandnewme2015 217]

Hi everyone my name is badia I go by babyboo I have been slowly getting my clearances done due to lack of support and a recent change of heart and fear I'm back at it now ready to finish my clearance so I can get a date for surgery everyone wish me luck

best wishes!!

[Peekboo 472]

Hello everyone, I want to respond about hair issues. I was worried about Hair loss. I am relaxed and no color :-). I heard about Andrew Lessman, hair, skin and nails Vitamins. I bought them and did not experience hair loss. I cant say it was the only reason but I swear by them. I also take the other required vitamins. Make sure your Iron level is good or you will definitely have hair issues. Good luck everyone.

[Campbedo 9]

Hi everybody! Im from phila and my surgery date is June 3rd!