Question:
For the African-American Post-Ops

I would like to hear from African-Americans regarding the surgery, what are some issues that we alone may deal with? What are some of the do's and don'ts of surgery? How do you deal with the changes to eating habits? What are some products that are highly recommended. Thank you.    — najeeloveme (posted on September 25, 2002)

September 25, 2002
I use alot of the same the WLS patients use. The do's and don'ts are the same. Watch your food intake. It was hard this past weekend, we had a family get together and I mean everything was there. I put a tablespoon of my favorites and called it a day. I didn't miss out. It was hard because my cousin kept telling me to eat. I had to keep telling her I already did. They were so use to my plate being so full of food. My husband cooks alot now and he still sometimes get over excited with putting too much food on my plate so I mostly fix my own foods. When we east fast food I generally get a salad, grilled chix with cheese no bun, or chili. So I have started finding little things on menus that are plentiful for me and my family doesn't suffer. as far as hair, I use the oil sheen and I still put perms in. My doctor has recommended taking zinc. I had other friends who just put micros in. Much luck on your journey.
   — Chris9672

September 25, 2002
There is no diffent eating or life style unless you consider the holiday... You know...Thanksgiven, Collar green, ham, macaroni and cheese, peach cobbler ,corn bread, ohh girl I can go on and one, this is the worst time for me because I can't control the ingrediant(goes to my mom house for the holidays, and it's mostly my fault because I want to eat and eat . But when I cook for me it's protein, protein, protein. I know in our race heavy people is more acceptance (you better not call someone fat, unless you want to get hurt lol) but all jokes aside we try to pratice tolerance because we have other things to worry about, But it' unhealty in any race, so it shouldn't matter we all did it to get healhty and that's the bottom line. I hope this helped... Good luck
   — Rebe W.

September 25, 2002
I know how you feel. I had a ton of questions post op. Like do we not lose as much hair post op because seeing we dont wash our hair as often, or will we lose weight as fast. I am 5 weeks post op and you know black folks loooove to eat...lol. So when you are around family and things you have to get use to it. I realized in my head that I did this for me and I didnt put my self through this body altering circumstance just to go back to my old habits. And like the previous poster said, when those holidays come around....take a little bit of this and little bit of that until you are satisfied and leave it alone. I wish you the best of luck and email me if you have any questions. -Shavonne 5 weeks post op -40lbs
   — Shavonne P.

September 25, 2002
Kim, I will be 8 months post op on the 7th and although I did experience some hair loss in the 3rd month I am not sure it is related to wls for 2 reasons: 1) I had hair loss after each of my other surgeries even as a child and 2) my labs at 3 and 6 months were well within the normal range. My hairdresser says that some people lose hair due to the shock and trauma of surgery but my hair stopped coming out in the 4th month. I wash my hair weekly due to seborrheic dermatitis.My scalp stays dry and around the edges it is red and "lighter" than the rest of my skin.My scalp flakes easily so I have to wash it at least once a week so that I don;t look as if it has snowed LOL. I even have it in my eyebrows. So this could contribute to some of my hair loss as well as the fact that I wear braids. As for eating, I have never been a big eater of soul food with the exception of MACARONI and CHEESE! This was my biggest downfall and was usually my comfort food. I make better and healthier choices now and my portion sizes are NOWHERE near what they were pre-op!I even have ribs, and greens but they are cooked with health in mind. No jowl bacon!I now sample a little of this and that and don't deprive myself but I do watch fat intake and SALT.I've learned that "our menu" can be appetizing and healthy too! I truly don't believe there are any differences in how we lose compared to those of other ethnicities.I have lost 117 lbs ( as of Sept 9th )and i have seen instances where I've lost more AND less than non-AA at the same post-op period. Other factors come into play such as exercise, water intake, and even type of surgery, pre-surgery weight etc. I weighed 439, if not more, the day of surgery and now weigh 322 lbs but I am tall ( 5' 9.5" ) weight distribution makes a difference too. I carried most of mine in my legs,thighs and hips. Even when I was slim ( up until I reached 23 yrs) I had a butt and thighs. Now I can wear Xlarge tops but size 24/26 pants. Before surgery I wore 5X-6X tops and 44 Super Plus slacks from Simply Fashions. Hope my perspective has helped you. Julie S. ( in Lou., Ky. )
   — Julie S.

September 25, 2002
I am 16 weeks post op as of today. My results and diet will probably be a bit different because I didn't have RNY. I had laparoscopic duodenal switch. I've lost 70 lbs or so and gone from 22-24 tops to XL, size 24 pants to 16-18 (depending on brand). I eat whatever I want...just less of it. I do tend to try to eat protein first, but other than that...no rules! I've actually lost my cravings for sweets and complex carbs since surgery, so that helps a lot! On July 4, a month after surgery, I was able to eat ribs, greens, potato salad and baked beans...not nearly as much as I would have, but I could enjoy myself. I now have lots of leftovers when I cook or eat out, but I can live with that! I've noticed my hair coming out a bit more...but I've always shed a lot. I remember my mother complaining about it when I started doing my own hair at 12! I don't really have any bald patches or anything...I can just tell by what's in the comb, brush or sink. Good luck!
   — Pamela B.

September 26, 2002
Kim, I too am scheduled for surgery on October 7, 2002 and have some of the same questions as you. I do know however that the regimen that we choose immediately after surgery has to be something that we can do lifelong. From previous things that I have read, we will have to set our standards early on in the game so that we can have something to fall back on when things get tough. I guess it will be best for both of us to eat our protein first, stick to fresh fruits and vegetables for our carbs and drink 64oz of water a day along with trying to fit in a protein shake here and there and take our multi-vitamin and B-12 and any other vitamin we opt to take. This is not going to be easy, but I think we both know in our heart of hearts what we have to do, it is just this time, when we do what we are suppose to do, the weight is GUARANTEED to come off. And just think if we get a little exercise in there too ... Oh well, we will let our imagination take over at this juncture. Good luck to you Kim and may your journey be peaceful and painfree.
   — Angela B.

September 26, 2002
Let me give you an African American male point of view as briefly as I can. The wieght loss has been great and after a certain time it can get a little tough to maintain your wieght loss. I am 15 months post op. I have lost 150lbs. My pre-surgery weight was 452lbs. I lost the weight quickly excercising and watching what I eat, protiens first. As time went on and my tolerance to certain foods increased old habits started showing up. Now, as much as I love family and friends they can help you sabatoge yourself. We have to be models for our families and friends and create a new and positive lifestyle. Hypertention, diabetes, and other health challenges in our people have far too long become a way of life for us. No More, let it end now with us, and those who need examples of African Americans taking control of our health. Thank you for asking the question. Maybe there should be a study that will assist not only African Americans but people who suffer from obiesity and the discrimination that goes along with it. Have a blessed day.
   — Robert R.

September 26, 2002
There is an email list of black folks that have had or are having WLS. It is very informative and supportive if you would like to join. Feel free to send me an email for instructions. [email protected] Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.