Hi ladies , I created a social group for women of color (African, African American, Latina, etc) to discuss the physical, emotional, and cultural impact of weight loss surgery.

Let's talk about everything that we really want to ask -like how is wls viewed in the black community? or Is it really true what they say about black women and loose skin?

Please join so that we can create a forum

Holla back!

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? 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..

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? 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..

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

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

Exactly! Anybody can be a success as long as they want to be!!! Thanks hon!

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.

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.