Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Women of Color and WLS-New Social Group



Recommended Posts

It's weird because my sister's doctor told her the same thing about women of color not being that successful with WLS...my doctor however never mentioned to me. I can't give you any long term advice because I am 11 months in and she is just 10 months in. We are both doing well. I had a 3 1/2 month stall where I didn't lose anything but it was not due to my culture or anything...lol! I have lost over 70 pounds in almost a year and the other 11 or 15 before I started this journey. I wouldn't let those statistics stop you from doing something that you really want to do. I used to be a part of the Women of Color Social group on here but it's not on here any more or at least I can't find it.

I know I am a few years late but I really need to discuss wls with coloreed women (like myself) because I am in the process of attempting to have lap band surgery.... waiting to schedule sleep apnea test. After starting my lap band journey I was told my a bariatric doctor that lapband is ineffective in 60 percent of colored women and if I am serious about having wls I should go for the microscopic gastric bypass. I need more information, preferably from women who ave ad the lap band and their experiences with it. This group seems awesome because I see that most women signed up in 08 and I would like to know how many women kept the weight off and how do they feel about their decision years later. Pleaseeee someone help! I need to decide before the end of this month. Also is it possible for me to join the colored women wls forum? Invite please.

Nolita

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's weird because my sister's doctor told her the same thing about women of color not being that successful with WLS...my doctor however never mentioned to me. I can't give you any long term advice because I am 11 months in and she is just 10 months in. We are both doing well. I had a 3 1/2 month stall where I didn't lose anything but it was not due to my culture or anything...lol! I have lost over 70 pounds in almost a year and the other 11 or 15 before I started this journey. I wouldn't let those statistics stop you from doing something that you really want to do. I used to be a part of the Women of Color Social group on here but it's not on here any more or at least I can't find it.

May I ask why some doctors have said that? Is it because maybe of what they eat or something like that?....which then it wouldn't work on just about anyone if you don't change your eating habits.. I'm curious as to why they say that. I'm mixed so does that mean I have half of that chance of being unsuccessful? :lol: Seriously though.. are black people's stomachs shaped differently or something because if not..that seems like it would make no sense unless they are talking about lifestyle..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Finding research on this issue is very hard and most of what I have found is very vague. I found this a few minutes ago but it doesn't explain why. I am going to keep looking. I seen something yesterday that said black women have more of a Type B fat cell than other's (not more fat but more of a certain type of fat) studies show that we actually have 10% less fat than our counterparts when we go in for surgery. I am assuming with this Type of fat it may be better to do a malabsorptive type of procedure instead of the band? My theory so don't quote me on it. :)

Comparison of outcomes after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in African-Americans and whites

Parikh, Manish; Lo, Helen; Chang, Christopher; Collings, Dinee; Fielding, George; Ren, Christine

2006 Nov-Dec;2(6):607-10; discussion 610-2, Surgery for Obesity & Related Diseases

BACKGROUND: Race may affect outcomes after bariatric surgery. This study compares outcomes in terms of weight loss and comorbidity resolution between African-Americans and whites after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). METHODS: Data from 959 patients undergoing LAGB between July 2001 and July 2004 were prospectively collected and entered into an electronic registry. Propensity score matching analysis was used to match whites to African-Americans on the basis of age, gender, and preoperative body mass index (BMI). Preoperative comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia) were also compared. Operative time (OR), length of stay (LOS), comorbidity resolution, and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1, 2, and 3 years were analyzed. All data were updated through May 2006. RESULTS: A total of 65 white LAGB patients were matched to 58 African-American LAGB patients on the basis of age, gender, and preoperative BMI. The preoperative mean age and BMI were 37 +/- 19 years and 47 +/- 7 kg/m2, respectively. A total of 55% of the white group and 64% of the African-American group had one or more comorbidities (P = NS). Median OR time and LOS were similar in both groups: 50 minutes and 23 hours, respectively. The majority of patients in both groups had major improvement or resolution of one or more comorbidities (61% whites vs 77% African-Americans, P = NS). There was, however, a significant difference in %EWL between whites and African-Americans at each time interval (49% vs 39% at 1 year; 55% vs 44% at 2 years; 52% vs 41% at 3 years; P < .05 for all values.). CONCLUSION: Despite the disparity in weight loss with the LAGB in African-Americans and whites, both patient populations experienced a similar improvement/resolution of obesity-related comorbidities

id: J0125081, year: 2006, vol: 2, page: 607, stat: Journal Article,

May I ask why some doctors have said that? Is it because maybe of what they eat or something like that?....which then it wouldn't work on just about anyone if you don't change your eating habits.. I'm curious as to why they say that. I'm mixed so does that mean I have half of that chance of being unsuccessful? :lol: Seriously though.. are black people's stomachs shaped differently or something because if not..that seems like it would make no sense unless they are talking about lifestyle..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you find anything else let me know.. I analyze EVERYTHING.. sometimes I drive myself crazy..lol But I still would think that you can't really even compare the same people if they aren't doing the same type of exercises, working out the same amount of time, eating the same foods, etc.. do you know what I mean? What if some people had more stress than others or some people weren't getting enough sleep, or some drank wine where others drank vodka.. do you know what I mean? I just don't see how it makes sense how you can compare one against the other unless all of the other variables were the same.. period... but that's the way I think.. like I said..I analyze EVERYTHING! lol :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are so right about that! I guess that's why they came to the conclusions that it still was a success. My thoughts are that whites make up a larger sample population to start with and therefore when the selections are done they have a higher chance of picking the more successful ones versus a small sample of blacks to choose from. Since we only make up around 12 % of the US population every study researchers do on us seems to be outrageous with the outcomes! I am going to be a success at my weight loss no matter what the studies show! Good luck with yours as well! ;)

If you find anything else let me know.. I analyze EVERYTHING.. sometimes I drive myself crazy..lol But I still would think that you can't really even compare the same people if they aren't doing the same type of exercises, working out the same amount of time, eating the same foods, etc.. do you know what I mean? What if some people had more stress than others or some people weren't getting enough sleep, or some drank wine where others drank vodka.. do you know what I mean? I just don't see how it makes sense how you can compare one against the other unless all of the other variables were the same.. period... but that's the way I think.. like I said..I analyze EVERYTHING! lol :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was part of the other group too, but I have not been able to find it. I can say I have never heard that success rates fir black women are less. I think that research like SF2009 is placing blame on the WLS that could other factors that more black women experience more. I was a year out and had lost 75lbs plus 30lbs ob the 6-month supervised diet. I have lost 11bs since then--had port revision surgery to move flipped port, so was on a liquid diet last week. They kiss my BLACK behind because I will be a success. Lol

My friend lost 190lbs. That is my goal as well or size 14--whichever first.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Whew! You go lady! I feel you! I am going to do just that too! My goal size is a 14 as well but I want to be a 12 on my wedding day if and when I get married.

I was part of the other group too, but I have not been able to find it. I can say I have never heard that success rates fir black women are less. I think that research like SF2009 is placing blame on the WLS that could other factors that more black women experience more. I was a year out and had lost 75lbs plus 30lbs ob the 6-month supervised diet. I have lost 11bs since then--had port revision surgery to move flipped port, so was on a liquid diet last week. They kiss my BLACK behind because I will be a success. Lol

My friend lost 190lbs. That is my goal as well or size 14--whichever first.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×