I am doing my research on getting the band and what the success rate in weight loss is for African AMericans. I have found limitied medical articles on how response to the band. Going on obesityhelp and clicking under black and african american, I saw that most of the banded people lost but struggled a great deal (seemed that the typical story was 40 pounds over a year period with the same struggles as yo yo dieters). I also joined a yahoo group of african american bandsters but have not found that to be helpful at all.

Can someone point me to a website, medical article, or anything else that I might not be thinking of that might be helpful?

Are there any African American men who are either pre-banded or already banded?

Hello, I'm a blackmale preband here.

Peace, CTman

Welcome CTman---Enjoy the journey...have you gotten a date yet?

Hey Everybody, I'm So Glad I Found This Thread,iwas Also Curious About Hair Loss And Scaring. Does Any Have Pics To Show Their Sucess

Hey Bigbaby, Thanks for your response. i havent recieved a date yet. I should have on in no more than 2wks. I researched the lap band in. Oct 07 and Nov. 07 and finally decided that I have to live a healthy life. I have a wife and children to live for so the journey begins.

40 ish, 300.9lbs, 5'11", BMI = 41

12/08/07 - Initial Seminar

12/18/07 - Therapist & Nutritionist Appts.

01/03/08 - Met w/ Dr. Ehrlich - Surgeon, Bloodwork, Gallbladder ultrasound

01/08/08 - Primary Care, EKG, more bloodwork

01/15/08 - Blasted the PC office so the Surgeon's billing dept. should have all of my paperwork. Hopeefully Anthem BC/BS of CT will continue to keep things movin and I will be approved by 1/25. I would like to be banded by 03/08. Things look like they are moving along well with you. Please keep the updates comin, they are very encouraging.

Peace, Chris

CT--family is the most important reason--besides for yourself. Hopefully you will have a supportive family once the lapband is complete. Your wife will have to adjust her thoughts/habits around you not eating as much, trying to cook healthy meals, and NOT POLICING when you do decide to eat something that may not be the best.

I can still eat everything I did pre-band--so I don't have "food" issues. This is good because I don't get sick, but also forces me to make good decisions about what to eat. My family is EXTREMELY supportive. I eat what they eat--just less of it.

Right now, my church is completing the Daniel Fast (fresh fruits/veggies/nuts etc.--no meat, sugars, white flour etc.)...so yesterday, while had "good soul food", I cooked pinto Beans and brown rice. AND WE WERE ALL HAPPY!!!

Hey B, My wife aka MY RIB is a blessing to me everyday of my life, she was dead set against the bypass but, very supportive about the lapband. She is in good shape and is happy to prepare healthy meals rather than the soul food that I love soooo much of. I am definitely doing this for all of us.

Our church was on the Daniel fast the week before last and we had a week of refreshing services. God blessed us greatly all week long. We feasted last Sunday as well.

Blessings, Chris

I have not seen any statistical data or studies soley on African Americans and the band. Maybe if you contact a African American bariatric surgeon...or practice.

I attended Howard and I know Howard University Hospital spearheads a lot of medical research.

For your leisure check out Ebony magazine (Nov. 07 issue with Alicia Keys on the cover) there is an interesting article on African Americans, and weight loss surgery. They profile African Americans who chose Weight Loss Surgery in their battle with obestiy, and it includes the band.

I have not seen any statistical data or studies soley on African Americans and the band. Maybe if you contact a African American bariatric surgeon...or practice.

I attended Howard and I know Howard University Hospital spearheads a lot of medical research.

For your leisure check out Ebony magazine (Nov. 07 issue with Alicia Keys on the cover) there is an interesting article on African Americans, and weight loss surgery. They profile African Americans who chose Weight Loss Surgery in their battle with obestiy, and it includes the band.

Thanks Summer for that info, I will look for that Ebony Nov issue:wink2:

You Go Girl, 100 lbs:lol:. Now, the times you had to be unfill, was all the Fluid taken from your band? Since the actual band remained in place, did you feel any restriction? I'm surprised you were able to gain 30 lbs in such a short time.

Bandlady I'm assuming you are addressing me, anywayz I also seem to gain alot of Water weight when I eat high sugary carbs, once I stop eating the bad carbs and start back on my low carb diet, I will lose 25-30 lbs in 3/4 days.

There is an AA surgeon here in Atlanta by the name of Titus Duncan. I have attached a link to his website, he might be able to provide you with stats on AA bandsters.

peachtreebariatrics.com

Tann--Did I understand you correctly???? You will lose 25-30lbs in 3-4 days???? What else are you doing in those 3-4 days????? What type of exercise are you doing??? That's amazing!!!

Hello Everyone:

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a newly banded AA Georgian! It's great to read of all the trials, tribulations, and great results. Tann, I must say that you have certainly been an inspiration!

I agree that for whatever reason, we seem to have a somewhat slower weight loss that our caucasion counterparts. I was banded February 2007 and have lost a total of 40 lbs. I follow the rules for the band with exercise, watching what I eat and having regular adjustments. I have had 11 adjustments to date.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it again because I probably would not have lost these 40 lbs without my band, it just seems that the weight loss is slower than I anticipated.

I don't agree with that I think it more to do with indiv. rather than race I have lost 40lbs in 2 months my friend 35 lbs and never had a problem losing just maintaining.