African American Sleevers

gixxergirl · April 30, 2014

I am hoping to get gastric sleeve surgery. I went to the cardiologist yesterday for a card clearance. My blood pressure was 142/90. I have to go in the am for a echo stress test. I have been freaking out because I have a feeling I will be told that I can't get the surgery due to my blood pressure. Other than being over weight, I have no other health problems. Can anyone assist me with this please!!!?!?!?

I had high blood pressure. I didn't take me meds the morning of surgery. When I woke up my BP was 83/57. I used to run about 135/90. It's back up to 117/84 today. I haven't taken any BP meds since. I'm 1 week postop.

sandisleeve · April 30, 2014

I didnt have any health problems but i did have a bmi of 40 and was approved, I believe its requirements of yo ins co!!

When my paperwork was submitted in oct 2013 I had bmi of 40 and Bcbs NJ empire approved me with zero co-morbidities. I lost about 22 pounds before surgery which put me at bmi of 37 or so and I was still fully covered with zero comorbids!

tmde63 · May 1, 2014

Boy am I loving me!!! What a difference a year can make!! April 2013 size 18 dress and now April 2014 size 10 dress! ! #shedidthat #curvygirl # almost at my goal weight #lovingme

You look awesome, congratulations!!

Boy am I loving me!!! What a difference a year can make!! April 2013 size 18 dress and now April 2014 size 10 dress! ! #shedidthat #curvygirl # almost at my goal weight #lovingme

You look awesome, congratulations!!

relentless302 · May 1, 2014

HO ALL,

relentless302 · May 1, 2014

HELLO ALL, I WILL BE SLEEVED ON JUNE 25TH, I M SO NERVOUS, SCARED AND EXCITED...I DON'T HAVE MUCH SUPPORT AND I AM WORRYING MYSELF TO DEATH!!!! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND A WORKAHOLIC HUSBAND THAT IS NEVER HOME....I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT COMPLICATIONS.....I HAVE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT IT EVERYDAY....I HAVE SO MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 25TH I HOPE I DON'T TALK MYSELF OUT OF IT!

gixxergirl · May 1, 2014

I know someone who talked herself out of it. She regrets it every day. These days, complications are pretty rare.

back2barb78 · May 1, 2014

HELLO ALL, I WILL BE SLEEVED ON JUNE 25TH, I M SO NERVOUS, SCARED AND EXCITED...I DON'T HAVE MUCH SUPPORT AND I AM WORRYING MYSELF TO DEATH!!!! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND A WORKAHOLIC HUSBAND THAT IS NEVER HOME....I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT COMPLICATIONS.....I HAVE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT IT EVERYDAY....I HAVE SO MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 25TH I HOPE I DON'T TALK MYSELF OUT OF IT!

You're feelings are totally normal. We've all been there thinking what the hell have I gotten myself into? It's so hard not to worry and think the worst which honestly doesn't happen that often. Try hard to switch your thinking. Think about all the beautiful reasons why you're doing it- starting with being a better you for yourself and your family. Think about all of the things you want to do but can't do now that you will be able to do in a very short amount of time (things change very quick postop- the weight literally falls off). June 25th seems like a long time off, but it's right around the corner. You will be a new more amazing you than you've been in a long time and it will be more than worth it. Good luck to you on your journey

Edited May 1, 2014 by back2barb78

mrsrny3 · May 1, 2014

@@relentless302, I was the same way ..im a mother of 3 and my husband works long hours 6 days a week. ..but I decided that I did want to do myself or my family a dis service. .I would always have the thought of something horrible happening in surgery and I woul wake up with tubes everywhere and machines dinging. ..but I did my research and talked to patients that were in my drs office when I had a visit and even at my nut visits.. I tell u the thoughts you have u feel like you are the only one thinking this but there are others. but just thinking now about those folks I met they all went through with the surgery and are doing well no complications. I was scared and nervous all rhe way into the OR...and I had an out my surgeon was late because it started snowing ..so he was in traffic. ..but I forged ahead and I am here to tell you that it's worth it. .today I am 289 lbs from 364 (surgery on 12/17/13)...While I didn't have any ailments I had recently started bp and diabetic meds...and guess what I immediately came off of them ....jus wanted to share ...you are not alone with the feelings...you can do it!!!

mrsrny3 · May 1, 2014

@@relentless302, I was the same way ..im a mother of 3 and my husband works long hours 6 days a week. ..but I decided that I did want to do myself or my family a dis service. .I would always have the thought of something horrible happening in surgery and I woul wake up with tubes everywhere and machines dinging. ..but I did my research and talked to patients that were in my drs office when I had a visit and even at my nut visits.. I tell u the thoughts you have u feel like you are the only one thinking this but there are others. but just thinking now about those folks I met they all went through with the surgery and are doing well no complications. I was scared and nervous all rhe way into the OR...and I had an out my surgeon was late because it started snowing ..so he was in traffic. ..but I forged ahead and I am here to tell you that it's worth it. .today I am 289 lbs from 364 (surgery on 12/17/13)...While I didn't have any ailments I had recently started bp and diabetic meds...and guess what I immediately came off of them ....jus wanted to share ...you are not alone with the feelings...you can do it!!!

KeeWee · May 1, 2014

HELLO ALL, I WILL BE SLEEVED ON JUNE 25TH, I M SO NERVOUS, SCARED AND EXCITED...I DON'T HAVE MUCH SUPPORT AND I AM WORRYING MYSELF TO DEATH!!!! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND A WORKAHOLIC HUSBAND THAT IS NEVER HOME....I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT COMPLICATIONS.....I HAVE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT IT EVERYDAY....I HAVE SO MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 25TH I HOPE I DON'T TALK MYSELF OUT OF IT!

If your like most people i've experienced here....the closer the day gets the more u will talk yourself in and out of it. Anxiety will cause weird New habits also But congrats to u, you'll do great!

Edited May 1, 2014 by KeeWee

relentless302 · May 1, 2014

TO ALL THAT RESPONDED TO MY POST...THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH I NEEDED THE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND REASSURANCE...THANK YOU....VERY APPRECIATED....I HOPE I FIND A LONG TIME BUDDY ON THIS SITE...I AM IN NEED OF ONE...SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT I AM GOING THRU, GOING TO GO THRU ETC...! EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT MORNING!!!

LIZ

BryBro63 · May 1, 2014

I'm sure you will do great!! As long as you are doing it for the right reasons...and it certainly sounds like you are...then your heart and mind will be into it, and you'll be just as successful as you desire to be!!

linda hayes · May 1, 2014

HELLO ALL, I WILL BE SLEEVED ON JUNE 25TH, I M SO NERVOUS, SCARED AND EXCITED...I DON'T HAVE MUCH SUPPORT AND I AM WORRYING MYSELF TO DEATH!!!! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND A WORKAHOLIC HUSBAND THAT IS NEVER HOME....I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT COMPLICATIONS.....I HAVE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT IT EVERYDAY....I HAVE SO MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 25TH I HOPE I DON'T TALK MYSELF OUT OF IT!

Please don't talk yourself out of it it's not bad is it might seen the operation is the operation is not as bad as you may think please do not change your mind

mrsrny3 · May 1, 2014

@@relentless302, I was the same way ..im a mother of 3 and my husband works long hours 6 days a week. ..but I decided that I did want to do myself or my family a dis service. .I would always have the thought of something horrible happening in surgery and I woul wake up with tubes everywhere and machines dinging. ..but I did my research and talked to patients that were in my drs office when I had a visit and even at my nut visits.. I tell u the thoughts you have u feel like you are the only one thinking this but there are others. but just thinking now about those folks I met they all went through with the surgery and are doing well no complications. I was scared and nervous all rhe way into the OR...and I had an out my surgeon was late because it started snowing ..so he was in traffic. ..but I forged ahead and I am here to tell you that it's worth it. .today I am 289 lbs from 364 (surgery on 12/17/13)...While I didn't have any ailments I had recently started bp and diabetic meds...and guess what I immediately came off of them ....jus wanted to share ...you are not alone with the feelings...you can do it!!!

CrisH64 · May 1, 2014

Hi All!

I wanted to start a thread for African-American sleevers (no worries I HEART all sleevers from the rainbow). I just thought, no scientific proof, that African-American sleevers may respond to the surgery different than our lovely non-African American sleeved sisters and brothers. I wanted to know if we had the same skin issue, hair problems, and other surgery related issues. Also, how to deal with the culture shock. African-American "soul food" may be something of the past... or not. So I was just looking for a space to voice culture related issues and concens.

PS- I TRULY :heart: ALL SLEEVERS.

I am loving this! I didn't think there were many of us here, OR who have been sleeved. I am scheduled for my surgery next week (May 8th), and I too am worried about Hair loss, since my hair is extremely fragile to begin with; I'm getting it braided right before surgery, to be safe, but I also wear wigs everyday of my life, they're more like accessories now, so if it thins out, oh well, I've been there, done that!

Everyone, would you please friend me, although I have my hubby, my daughter, and a couple of coworkers for support, NOTHING beats having people to talk to, who have been there!