Question:
As a African American has the surgery been good for u / how is people treating u ?
— [Anonymous] (posted on January 20, 2002)
January 20, 2002
Good question, have no seen it before. Well, I kept mine a secret from the
public. People are very suprised that I am losing weight. They are
supportive, but they don't know it is from wls, i tell them i am doing the
atkins. Alot of people tell the world, but I did not and I am glad I did
not. This surgery is misunderstood particularly in our community. I told
people I was thinking about it when I was pre-op and I got a lot of
negative hater type opinions. People think it is ridiculous to do something
this drastic---particularly since being a 16 is considered
"thick" in our communities. Many people tell me to share, but i
do not feel like my like is going to be the example for Black weight loss
surgery. There are a few clack celebrities that have had it and a few deny
it and I understand. Besides that--I have lost 121 pounds in 6 months and
can eat ANYTHING in moderation so no one suspects a thing when we eat. Good
luck with your decision!
— Courtney W.
January 20, 2002
When I first told my family and friends about having the surgery they all
hated on me. Then after they saw how serious I was about it they changed
their minds and became very supportive. But for the most part I'll probably
keep it a secret. My father doesn't even know
— Samitra D J.
January 20, 2002
I didn't keep anything a secret. I told anyone who asked. As you may or
may not know in the black community, it is considered "ok" to be
plus sized. At least more ok than some other cultures. I am down to a
size 16/18 and blacks and whites alike have told me that I don't need to
lose anymore weight. I have noticed though that the brothers are taking
more notice than they did before when I was over 300 pounds. I can't fault
them for that. I didn't like myself at 300+ so I couldn't expect them to
either. Surgery has worked quite well for me. I will be 7 months out next
week and have had no complications, no hair loss, no vomitting. If you are
interested in other opinions from other blacks, please go to
www.yahoogroups.com and do a search on OSSG-Black. Good luck and God
Bless!
— Kimberly L.
January 20, 2002
I have only told three people what my plans are (still pre-op). Because
people are so clueless in general about the various WLS options and arent'
going to take the time to educate themselves, I don't feel like having to
explain to everyone.
The cultural aspect is another reason. For whatever reason, we seem much
more accepting, resigned, etc about being overweight, big-boned, thick,
etc. While I am clearly overweight, because I carry the weight fairly
well, most people have no idea I am as heavy as I am. But, I know that I
have a small frame and should be at least 110 pounds lighter.
I am also a physician and do NOT want to hear the 999 reasons why
"stomach stapling" or gastric bypass won't work, is wrong, will
kill me, etc.
I may let more people know as they notice that I'm losing weight.
Otherwise they may think I'm sick.
There is a yahoo group for Black people considering WLS:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Black
Good luck!
— Pamela B.
January 20, 2002
I am pre-op and hoping my insurance goes thru. I was told early on to keep
this to myself. I didn't. Some days I feel I wish I had, other days I will
talk anyones ear off, that has several hours to spare... about it. LOL I
think the views on this surgery within the community vary. Some still look
at this like it's still the old 'stomach stapling days'. We all know back
then the surgery received laughter on top of laughter. Ppl were getting
jaws wired and the sucking whole slabs of ribs thru a straw..lol Then along
comes stomach stapling..UH OH! and the new jokes were on.
My peers are a mixed bowl of nutz let me tell you. I had one sister say
"Girl just go on Weight Watchers..." Pleazzze!! Did she not
figure I had already researched this to the inth degree and just decided to
make a rash decision...guess so. I see it like this, we each arrived at the
same juncture for our own personal reasons. Regardless of what others
think, we are doing..and or have done this for ourselves. NOTHING ELSE
COUNTS, bottom line! Now I will say many are secretly hoping I am denied so
I remain in the fat club, but I got news for them...it ain't happening!!
[snicker] I am dying to see who I am under all this 300+ lbs...and soon
very soon they will met her too. BTW I peeped your profiles...you all are
doing a super job, continued success!!!
I'll soon be singing "Less bounce to the ounce!!
— [Anonymous]
January 20, 2002
I TOLD PEOPLE AND MOST DO NOT AGREE WITH WHAT I AM DOING. MY SURGERY IS
JANUARY 31. I HAVE BEEN OVERWEIGHT ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE HUMILIATED MYSELF
TIME AND TIME AGAIN ON DIETS AND PILLS AND HARD WORK. I AM TIRED OF IT ALL.
IT HAS LITERLLY TAKEN ALL OF THE PASSION OUT OF ME. GIRRRRRRLLLLLL, FUCK
DEM HATERS AND GET TA STEPPEN'
— KISHA M.
January 20, 2002
I grew up in a family where my mom's side of the family were considered as
"healthy or thick". This side of the family never gave me grief
about my size. My pop's side of the family was a different story. No they
wonder why I don't go see my grandmother. I did not even tell that side of
the surgery until about a year after the surgery or should I say my mom
told them. I would have loved to have seen their faces at that moment. But
that's a whole different topic. My maternial side of the family was very
supportive. My mother did not want me to have the surgery in the beginning.
Not out of envy, but she has already buried two of her children and she was
not prepared to bury another child. I did not want her to bury me if I did
not have the surgery. I felt I would have been dead within a year if I did
not make a drastic move concerning my health. I'm like the previous poster,
I researched my info before I went to see the surgeon. It was not a spur of
the moment decision. I had been thinking about it for a few years and did
my thorough reasearch for 6 months before I went into the OR. I discussed
my plans with my nearest and dearest and held off telling my co workers til
after I came back from medical leave. My family was very supportive in my
decision. I decided not to tell my co workers in the beginning because I
did not want flack about my husband's aunt, my best friends mothers brother
etc, etc. When I did come back to work, I told my co workers what I had
done and they were also supportive. As a matter of fact, I was one of the
first ones in my work area to have the surgery. There were about 10+ people
who had the surgery done soon after I did and they asked me a million and
one questions. I was somewhat of a resource person in my department for the
surgery. I did not offer advice with out being approached because you just
don't know how every person would respond. I will stop rambling and get to
the point. The surgery has made a world of difference to me both mentally
and physically. My ten days of misery in the hospital post op was worth
being alive another 14 months and 175 lighter.
— Jan M.
January 21, 2002
I did not keep the surgery a secret at all. However, a lot of people were
judgemental. Now that can not believe how much energy I have and how
wonderful I look. One guy told me that I am glowing. I am thrilled. I
had my procedure 7 months ago, and have lost 96 pounds and a ton of inches.
If I had it to do again I would in a heart beat, the only change I would
have made is that I would have done it sooner :o)! Now it's time to work
on the tummy tuck!!
— ellton
January 24, 2002
Its funny, but it seems that when I was "fat", it was never an
issue, or it was never brought up, and I had more friends. Now that I have
lost my weight, and am healthy size 10 - nobody talks about how much
better I look (even though I KNOW I do), and the women folks are a little
jealous. That's sad, but I don't think that has to do with being black -
people are just people.. and jealousy runs in all races.
— Jennifer J.
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