newnatalie

Well ... Well ... Well! Hello everyone. The last time I checked I was still black so I guess I will chime in! I had VSG on November 20, 2010 and have lost about 50 pounds. I love my sleeve! I have an African-American male doctor in Houston, Texas who has been VERY honest with me. I almost choked the first day I walked into his office and he said. black people do not do well with Lapband! I was like how could you say that? He explained that we love soul food and sweets. We find ways to cheat. I honestly believe cheating has no color, but we do tend to like heavy, greasy foods. He begged me not to have Lapband and I am soooo grateful to him! I feel good. So far, no hair loss. I really try to take my Vitamins and eat Protein to prevent this. I am finally to a point where I am eating better. The first few weeks I could barely eat anything. The weight loss has slowed down a little, but I am not concerned. i don't want to lose so fast that I look bad. I am in this for the long haul. Take care everyone and keep in touch!

I have always been a leader. Growing up, I could get people to do what I would NEVER even try! Influence is an amazing that gift. If channeled correctly, it is powerful. Well as the pounds fall off, I am realizing that all my skinny friends seem a little scared! They claim I have inspired them to lose weight, but I think the thought of me being smaller than them is frightening! Now, in the back of my mind, I want to believe that I am an inspiration, but I must admit I am slightly agitated. Let me explain … By no means do I think I have cornered the market on weight loss, but I have been the fattest one in my circle of friends FOREVER! Now, when I start losing weight everyone wants to get smaller! Are you really wanting to lose weight or can you simply not imagine me thinner than you? This is the questions I will not allow to part my lips! This would be rude, wouldn’t it? So, today my agitation was challenged. My childhood friend calls to see how I am doing. Mind you, this is the same friend who claimed she would never speak to me again if I had weight loss surgery. I guess she got over it huh? Anyway, I explain I have lost 40 pounds in 6 weeks and can’t eat very much. She has always been much smaller than me, but has recently gained some weight. Even at her heaviest, she has never been as big as I was. She goes on this tangent about how she needs to loose weight and can’t believe she is 241 pounds. I say “Girl. I am down to 242.” There is silence on the other end of the phone. I can hear her heart stop beating. She finally says “You and I weigh the same now?” I reply, “I guess so.” She frantically says, “Give me your doctor’s number. I gotta do something about this fat!” Now, allow me to pause for a moment. I am not selfish. I don’t mind my friend getting healthy, but why does it have to be because you realized that you and I weigh the same? It scared the pooh out of her to realize that in a few days, we would switch roles. She would be the fat friend and I would be the “not so fat friend”! Needless to say, I was agitated! Then, I calmed down and realized that part of why I had this surgery was to inspire others to take control of their health (and so I could wear a swimsuit in public). I was reminded of how I have always been able to motivate others to strive for greatness (or foolishness-depending on the occasion). This is no different. I gave my friend my doctor’s number and even offered to go with her to her first visit. My agitation had now turned into inspiration. So to my friends I say, thank you for your support! I am elated that I could be the wind beneath your wings, the flame that ignites your fire, the catalyst for change you so badly needed. I AM AN INSPIRATION!

I saw a nutritionist at Houston Northwest Medical Center on 1960. It is not far from the Woodlands ( I had my surgery at Woodlands Memorial Hermann). Give them a call!

Oh Carnm! I can so relate to what you experienced. My first "puke" experience was with scrambled eggs during week 4. I took two bites and the eggs just wouldn't move. I fought of the inevitable for about 15 minutes and knew that it had to come up! For the record, I hate throwing up. Once the eggs were ejected I was fine. I am almost 7 weeks post-op now and still have not eating an egg! That day may have ruined eggs for me for good! Take care! NewNatalie

@Seniorsleever- Thanks for stopping by to read my blog. I love to write! I pray that you and your son can get through to his wife. Sounds like an intervention may be needed. I will be praying for her and that you will be her inspiration. @punkin7 - Thanks! @Prolific T - Congrats on your progress! You are doing great! Another one of my friends pointed out that when we lose weight, it is an adjustment for all those around us. I guess this comes along with the journey! I will check out your blog. Keep in touch!

Hi! I live in Houston and was sleeved on November 30, 2010. My surgeon is Dr. Dexter Turnquest. He is located in the 1960_Champions Forest area. I live 45 minutes away, but travel to him because he is AWESOME! He came with rave reviews. You can barely get in his office, because people love this man so much. He is down to earth and is a top notch surgeon. I am in the process of organizing a Houston support group. Just need a good location. I will let you know!

Breakfast - Turkey deli meat and Swiss cheese roll (Will probably have this as a snack again at some point in the day) lunch - Brocolli Cheese Soup from Subway dinner - Homemade chicken and Vegetable Soup I am going to try the crab sticks. I love seafood!

Hi Newmefeb8, Who you choose to tell is really up to you! I did not shout it to the roof top, but I did tell those who were closest to me. Some objected and others were supportive, It really didn't matter because my mind was made up, but prepared for some negative reactions. I did vow that I would not keep my surgery a secret. If people ask, I tell them the truth. So many times I would see poepl who lost weight and ask how they did it. They would lie about some fad diet, knowing they had surgery! This use to tick me off. I have a Blog about it on this site. Feel free to check it out! Bottomline. is weight loss surgery is not taboo. You are taking the neccessary steps to become healthier. If people don't agree than pooh on them! You have to do what's best for you! Congrats on taking steps to a better future. Take care! NewNatalie

Lolli, Let me be one of the first to encourage you! Do not let your doctor get you down. They just PRACTICE medicine and often time don't know what to say! This is a journey. Give your body time to adjust. Everyone is different. As long as you are doing all the right things, you body will eventually catch up. STAY POSITIVE!

I wish you the best and will be praying for you!

When I saw this question, a light came on. I am never cold. I don't even run heat in the winter. My family always complains that I keep my house freezing. I had VSG almost 6 weeks ago and I have been and ice box! I am running the heat, sleeping with 2 comforters ... it's crazy. I had no idea that the surgery had something to do with it. Come on Dr. help us out! I'm cold!

I am working on this now ladies. Trying to secure a location for first meeting. Everyone is so spread out! Hope to have a place this week. Take care,

GO T! This is great girl! As time passes, there will be some rough days and some great days! Just know that everyday it gets easier. I am praying for you. Keep in touch!

I am almost 6 weeks post-op and have found cereal to be my friend! I love Honey-Nut Cherios. I eat the cereal and drink the milk just fine. Now mind, you, I can only eat a very small amount, but it doesn't make me sick. Good Luck!

THANKS! HAVE A GREAT YEAR!

HAPPY YOU YEAR! On December 31, many people resolved to lie to themselves about what they would do or stop doing. Don't get me wrong, when we make resolutions we have great intentions, but LIFE HAPPENS and honestly, we often lack the discipline to accomplish the goals we set before ourselves. So as the clock ticked forward at 11:59:59 pm on December 31, 2010, I simply decided that 2011 would be the year that I take care of me! Having the sleeve was just the first step in a series of "Me Moments". I'm not talking anything extravagant, just small moments of celebrating who I am and where I'm headed. Although I don't tell myself as often as I should, I am pretty darn great! I take care of my husband, two kids, a dog, own 2 businesses, teach college online, work diligently for my church, counsel numerous family and friends, AND THE LIST GOES ON. Now it's time for everyone to step back, just a tad, and allow me to shine! So to you I say "Happy YOU Year"! If you never lose another pound, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14)! Make 2011 the year YOU invest in YOUR joy, peace, and happiness. You've done it for others ... now it's time to do it for yourself!

I have Aetna and they were very strict about my doctor visits. I had to see my PCP every 30 days. It could not be one day over 30 days or I had to start over! Honestly, my surgeon had to create a doctor's visit because I went more than 30 days once. During the 90 days, your doctor is suppose to put you on a diet. How strict the doctor is, depends on the doctor. My surgeon provided me with a form for my PCP to fill out each time I visited. It asks for my weight, blood pressure, a description of diet plan, exercise I was doing, and any other notes the doctor wanted to make. This was helpful, because I was able to personally take this documentation back to my surgeon to submit to the insurance company. My PCP was not strict about my diet. I gained weight the first 30 days and maybe only lost 5 pounds in the next 2 months. This had no bearing on my approval. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Hi Marilyn, First of all, thanks for being courageous enough to seek help and ask for prayer. Since you are a Christian, let's begin with the Word of God which states in Psalms 118:17 that "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." You need to declare this word over your life everyday! Literally wake up and say out of your mouth "I WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE, AND DECLARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD." Secondly, we will be praying that God opens a door for you to receive the surgery you desire. In the mean time. Be encouraged! You are not alone. There are many people on this forum who understand what you're going through. I had to learn that the weight may affect my emotions, but it does not define who I am! You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14)! I will be checking on you. Keep us posted and remember to speak God's word over your life daily. It has power! Min. Natalie

I was sleeved on November 301, 2010. I think we must remember that this is not a race, but a journey. Trust me, I know it is frustrating when the scale does not move, but in time, WE will lose the weight. Keep in mind that even when you don't lose weight, you may be losing inches. The positive side is that, you are not GAINING weight! Be encouraged! You are getting some great advice. Let's keep supporting one another on this journey! Smoochies, NewNatalie

David Letterman has not cornered the market on Top Ten Lists! I have developed a list of my own. As the weight falls off, here are 10 things I am desperately looking forward to: TOP 10 LIST Things I'm Looking Forward To As The Fat Fades 10. Flying on a plane without a seatbelt extension or being horribly uncomfortable! 9. Buying matching bras and panties. It is really hard to find good supportive bras in my size that are pretty and have panties to match. 8. People to stop saying ”You are sooo pretty” with an unspoken “but” at the end. They really want to say: “You are so pretty, BUT if you would lose some weight you would be much prettier!” 7. Going to the doctor and not having to hear how if I don’t lose weight I will basically contract every disease known to man! 6. Buying a LBD (Little Black Dress). I have plenty of black dresses, but none of them are little. 5. Rock a short hair cut! I know people say hair adds pounds, but for me it is security. Once I am smaller, I would love to sport a jazzy short-do! 4. RUNNING! I don’t want to jog, walk briskly, or trot. I want to run! Feel the wind in my hair, sweat pouring down … RUN. 3. Shopping in the regular store! I honestly don’t mind plus-size fashion, but I just want to HAVE to shop in the Big Girl store. 2. LONG LIFE – I am only 36. I want to live to see my kids get married, my grandkids, and even my great-grandkids. If I die, I don’t want fat to be the foe. 1. Taking a family photo. This is a very emotional #1. My sons are 5 and 6. THEY take a lot of pictures, but WE have never taken a family photo because I refused to take one fat!. Every year, I vow to lose weight and of course it never happened, so my family has never taken pictures. I cannot wait for this day! That’s about it. I am sure this list will evolve! I would love to see your Top 10 List! Please share …

@ProlificT - Girl my new name is BeNatlay. I told Beyonce' she better watch out! My kids are scheduled for their annual birthday photo shoot the end of January. I think I may get in a few shots! EXCITED! @K8walsh - Thanks for sharing your list. I have to agree with you on the restaurant booth. It's no fun when my boobs are sitting on the table! I shared my list with my family and friends. Many of them were truly shocked at some of my desires. It was interesting to see their reaction. @jollyj - What is your doctor saying? I am 5 weeks post-op and still losing like crazy. Even when I think I've gained, I will have lost. I wish a speedy road back to "loseland" Keep me posted ...