silkysoft40

I THINK TESTING OF VITAMIN D LEVELS ARE THE NEWEST MEDICAL RAGE BECAUSE EVERYONE I KNOW OR HAVE SPOKEN TO ARE ON MEDICATION FOR VITAMIN D INCLUDING MYSELF. I AM ON THE 50,000 AND TAKE A TABLET ONCE A WEEK.

I JUST HAD MY 1 YEAR SURGI-VERSARY AND TOO MY SURPRISE I AM DOWN 150 POUNDS!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU AS WELL AS MYSELF BECAUSE I TOO WAS AT 417 WHEN I STARTED THIS WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY. TODAY I AM IN THE 2OO SOMETHINGS AND STILL LOSING - A LITTLE SLOWER BUT STILL GOING DOWN. I AM SO THANKFUL I FINALLY WOKE UP AND DECIDED TO TAKE THIS JOURNEY. I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS AND CONGRATULATIONS!!

Sleeved February 22, 2011 Weight Loss - 136 lbs Consistently losing - I've had no weight gain at all I weigh myself once a week just to see if there is any difference - had a few plateaus and didn't lose any but no gains.....yeah!!

SOUNDS WONDERFUL....I TOO LOVE PUMPKIN COOKIES, MUFFINS AND ICE CREAM!! THIS SHAKE WILL DEFINITELY QUENCH THAT TASTE FOR PUMPKIN IN HAVE.

I WAS SLEEVED FEBRUARY 2011 AND I BARELY HAVE ANY SCARS AT ALL...MY PROCEDURE WAS LAPAROSCOPIC SO I HAVE 4 SMALL INCISIONS THAT DID NOT EVEN REQUIRE EXTERNAL STITCHES. THEY WERE PRACTICALLY HEALED BEFORE I EVEN LEFT THE HOSPITAL..I WOULD SUPPOSE THE SCARRING DEPENDS ON THE TYPE SURGERY YOU HAVE.

BEFORE SURGERY I FAVORED BREAST BUT NOW FIND THAT THE BREAST IS DRIER AND THEREFORE HARDER TO SWALLOW. I HAVE BEEN USING THE BONELESS SKINLESS THIGHS WHICH ARE A LITTLE MORE MOIST AND SEEM TO DIGEST A OT EASIER THAN THE BREAST. WHEN I DO USE CHICKEN BREAST I COOK THEM WHILE FROZEN RATHER THAN UNTHAWING AND THEY MAINTAIN A LITTLE MORE MOISTURE.

I HAVE BEEN TO WENDY'S BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR THE CHILI....I HAVE BEEN CRAVING A FIVE GUYS BURGER BUT THE BREAD AS WELL AS THE BURGER IS JUST TOO MUCH AND WOULD ONLY BE A WASTE. I'M 7 MONTHS OUT AND ITS STILL HARD TO EAT A HAMBURGER SO I TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM....I CAN'T IMAGINE HAVING ONE AT 3 WEEKS.

I always get a fork for the fish filet the few times I've been to McDonalds & I discard the bread - approximately 3 french fries and water!! The only other fast food I've had has been Wendy's chili and Taco Bell. You're right I too haven't died from having a carbonated drink from time to time....just gotta have Ginger Ale once in a blue moon :-)

My surgeon was Dr. Michael Schweitzer, MD. The surgery was performed at the John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. My experience was wonderful - no complications and my surgeon was excellent. He is very knowledgeable and patient with my million and one questions. This Bariatric Center has everything and all of the staff was very supportive. Even my hospital stay went well....my mom stayed with me the 3 days I was there and the nursing staff accommodated our every need. The website is excellent - please check it out if you are in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area - you won't be disappointed. http://www.hopkinsbayview.org/bariatrics/

I am African American living in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Had the Sleeve February 22, 2011 at John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. I can honestly say that I have had no major complications throughout the process of getting to this point. I'm not positive that I am getting in all of the necessary Vitamins, Water etc that I should have but I definitely watch what I eat, how much I eat and keep the Protein shakes flowing no matter how much I hate them. I have had dreads for the past 6 years and I am more fearful of losing them than any other condition or side effect from having the surgery. So far so good - yall keep me in your prayers!! Thanks for starting this forum because I too am curious about how the surgery affects African Americans. The Sleeve is not nearly as popular as the full Gastric Bypass but my surgeon thought it would be appropriate for me because it is a slower weight loss process and just to begin the journey. He has suggested that I may later want to go for the full RNY but I think the Sleeve was suitable for me. I have continuously lost since prior to my surgery and 4 months out still losing slowly but surely. I still feel a little sick from time to time when something doesn't agree with me, I've eaten to fast or eaten more than I should have. My healing process was completely different than I thought it would be - I expected much more pain and to be scarred for life...however I have 4 very tiny incisions that didn't even require stitching. I feel that John Hopkins is one of the top Medicail Centers in the country so I am very thankful I was able to have the surgery there. Oh and by the way KAISER PERMANENTE is my insurance...yep I said it KAISER and they were absolutely wonderful in preparing me for everything that was necessary to have the surgery completed. I will certainly be revisiting this forum again and again to read others experiences and add a few of my own too.