Tiffykins

I thought I would share this with those of you that need Protein drinks and different options :crying: I had this emailed to me a long time ago, and while cleaning out my inbox of the 2000 emails I stumbled across it again. I do not know the original author/creator/inventor or I would give proper credit. pumpkin Protein shake This is a wonderfully decadent way to get in your protein! Spicy, creamy and icy-thick.?milkshakes never had it so good! 1/4 cup pumpkin puree 1 cup skim milk or soymilk 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder (such as Matrix Simply Vanilla) 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1/8 t. cloves, 1/8 t. ginger) 2 tablespoons Splenda Granular 1/4 cup Cool Whip or NSA Vanilla yogurt 1 cup ice cubes Place pumpkin, milk, protein powder, spices, Splenda, cool whip or yogurt, and ice cubes in blender container; process until slushy. Makes one Meal Replacement serving. Per Serving: 230 Cal; 28 g Protein; 5 g Tot Fat; 13 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 115 mg Sodium banana PROTEIN NOG 1 scoop Matrix Simply Vanilla protein powder 1 cup skim milk A one inch chunk of banana 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Banana/Peanut Butter Shake (12 grams protein) 8 ounces fat-free milk 1 tablespoon creamy Peanut Butter 1/4 - 1/2 banana Blend until smooth in blender. Orange Dreamsicle (28 grams protein) 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (20 grams protein) 1 scoop (individual serving) sugar-free Sunrise Orange Crystal Lightâ powder 8 ounces skim milk Alternatives: substitute 4 ounces orange juice for 4 ounces milk; substitute 4 ounces yogurt for 4 ounces milk; add 1/2 tsp. orange zest to shake. Sunrise Smoothy 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup orange juice (or orange tang) ? banana (peeled) 1 carton Low Carb Vanilla Yogurt 1 tablespoon Splenda 4-5 frozen strawberries Mix in blender until smooth Cherry Vanilla 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 4-5 maraschino cherries 2 scoops low carb vanilla ice cream 1 cup cherry sugar free kool-aid Mix in blender until smooth Peach 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup Crystal Lite peach tea 4-6 frozen peach slices 4 ice cubes Mix in blender until smooth Strawberry-Lemonade 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup sugar free lemonade kool-aid 4-5 frozen strawberries 4-5 ice cubes Mix in blender until smooth Cherry Vanilla Coke Float 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 2 scoops low carb SF ice cream 1 cup diet coke 4-5 cherries Mix in blender until smooth Apple Pie Frosty 1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 vanilla protein powder 1 apple, peeled, cored, and sliced (or 1/2 C no-sugar-added applesauce) 2 packets Splenda 1/2 t cinnamon 1/4 t nutmeg 3/4 C Water 8-10 ice cubes Blend thoroughly and drink up Butterscotch Pecan liquid Pie 2 scoops ProScore 100 vanilla 8 oz cold water 2 T sugar free butterscotch pudding mix 4-5 ice cubes 1/4 C pecans Blend protein powder, water and pudding mix. (The pudding mix thickens the liquid considerably). Add ice cubes and blend till ice slivers. Add pecans and blend again for a few seconds. Pour into nice huge parfait glass and enjoy. (about 300 calories). Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake 1 scoop vanilla powder 1/2 cup SF cherry yogurt 4 ice cubes splash water vanilla extract (to taste) cherry extract (to taste) Put all of it in a blender and hit liquify! Enjoy Choco Mint Shake 1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 chocolate protein powder 1 packet sugar free hot chocolate mix 1 teaspoon mint flavoring 1/2 cup of soy milk 1/2 cup of water 6 large ice cubes Put all ingredients into blender And mix to desired consistency. Serve cold. Chocolate Almond Shake 2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate 1 cup of soy milk 2 T Sweet N Low chocolate syrup 1 t almond flavoring 1/4 cup of almonds 6-8 ice cubes Blend all ingredients, Except almonds and ice cubes, Then add nuts and cubes and blend again Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter De-Lite 3/4 c. cold water 1/4 c. Toasted Marshmallow s/f syrup 2 scoops PS IOO Chocolate Protein Powder 4 packets. equal 1/2 small banana 1T. low sugar Peanut Butter 1T. s/f White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix Put everything in blender And whirl till smooth. Scrape down sides if necessary And whirl some more. Chocolate Banana smoothie 1/2 cup banana Fat-Free NutraSweet Sweetened Yogurt 1/2 cup Non-fat Milk 1/2 cup ripe banana peeled and sliced Dash of Vanilla 1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder of Choice Put all ingredients except ice in blender, Blend until smooth. Add ice and blend To give it a frozen smoothie consistency. Chocolate Coconut Shake 2 oz Coconut Milk 6 oz Cold Water 2 scoops Chocolate protein powder 1 tsp Chocolate or Banana Sugar-Free pudding Hand Shake well. Chocolate Covered Banana 1 scoop Chocolate Isopure 1/2 c 1% milk splash of sugar-free chocolate syrup 1/2 banana 4 maraschino cherries 2 handfuls ice Blend Chocolate Covered Cherry Shake 1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 chocolate protein powder 1 cup soy milk 2T Sweet N Low chocolate syrup 10-12 cherries - (no pits please) 8-10 ice cubes Put all ingredients into blender And mix to desired consistency Chocolate Frosty Shake 1 rounded scoop Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex Chocolate Protein Powder 1 rounded tsp. fat free sugar free French Vanilla International coffee 1 rounded tsp. fat free Creamora (non-dairy coffee creamer powder) 10 ice cubes Use a blender to get a shake-like consistency Chocolate Fudge Shake 2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate 2 T chocolate fudge sugar free pudding mix 8 oz water 5 large ice cubes, tiny silver spoon (optional) Blend ProScore, pudding and water, add ice cubes, Blend till crushed with ice slivers still un-melted, Pour into insulated cup (makes about 16 oz) And eat it with a tiny silver spoon. Chocolate OrangeSicle 1 1/2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate 1/2 Scoop OrangeSicle protein powder 8 oz water Shake very well Chocolate Peanut Butter Death 2 scoops PS100 Chocolate Protein Powder 8 oz Cold Water 2 tsp Chocolate SF Pudding Mix 1 packets Splenda 1 Generous splash (probably 1 1/2 ounces) of SF DaVinci Peanut Butter Syrup 1 Generous splash (probably 1 1/2 ounces) of SF DaVinci Cookie Dough Syrup 1 Heaping Tablespoon (Daloop) of Fat Free Cool Whip Light 1 Heaping Teaspoon of Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter approx. 6 oz of crushed ice Mix until entirely smooth - pour - sit back and enjoy pure indulgence Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 tbs. peanut butter 1 cup skim milk 2 handfuls ice Blend thoroughly Chocolate Raspberry Shake 2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate 8 oz water (or skim, lactaid or soy milk) sugar free raspberry syrup Blend and enjoy Chocolate Vanilla Swirl 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder splash Vitamite splash water ice Blend thoroughly Chocolate-Banana Shake 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1/2 banana 1 cup skim milk 2 handfuls ice Blend thoroughly. Hint: if you can't use a banana, Try banana extract...tastes good! Coco Loco 1 1/2 scoops 100%Whey Vanilla Protein powder 4 oz Vitamite 6 packets Splenda splash Luzianne Peach Mango Ice Tea flavoring 2 drops Coconut extract 2 drops pineapple extract 1 drop Rum extract (optional) 5 ice cubes Blend and chop ice thoroughly Cookies & Cream Splash of Cookies & Cream coffee Splash of Vitamite Splash of water 1 tsp. Sugar Free DaVinci Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Syrup (optional) 1/3 scoop ProBlend 55 Mocha/cappuccino 1/3 scoop Pro V60 Chocolate Thunder 1/3 scoop Pro V60 Vanilla Cr?me ice Blend Creamy Peach Melba 6-8 frozen peach slices 4-6 oz water 1 tbsp peach mango Luzianne Tea Flavor 1 tsp DaVinci Raspberry flavor 2 packets splenda 1 tbsp heavy cream 2 scoops Keto Peaches & Cream Protein Powder Blend peaches, Water, flavorings, & splenda until liquid. Add protein powder. Drizzle in cream last. Blend well. Donna's Delicious Protein Smoothie 6 to 8 oz sunrise orange crystal light (premade) 3 ice cubes 3 frozen raspberries 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder Optional: tablespoon of light cool whip Mix crystal light with the ice cubes and frozen raspberries, Add the scoop of vanilla protein powder And mix only for a few seconds (mixing the protein too much causes it to foam) Double Chocolate Fudge ? cup skim milk 1 packet, no sugar added hot cocoa mix 1 scoop Chocolate protein powder 4 ice cubes (or ? - 1 cup crushed ice) Mix in blender. Egg Nog 1 scoop of Vanilla HDT 5+1 vanilla 1 cup of soy milk 1 teaspoon of rum extract 1/2 teaspoon of all spice 4-6 large ice cubes Put all ingr

OMG ! ! ! He's gonna be here in less than 6 hours. He just called from Baltimore, and said half the team was offered to come home tonight instead of having an overnight layover ! ! ! He told them " put me on that plane, I'm ready to see my family." I am officially freaking the hell out. Everything on the list is done with the exception of shaving, and that will be done here in a little bit. I am so elated, and can't believe he will be home so soon. I just can't wait to see him again. Caysen yelled when I told him, and couldn't contain himself. It's practically over. As soon as I am back in his arms, it will all be a distant memory. . . Thank you all so very much for all of your support, prayers, well wishes, and love that y'all have given me over the last few months ! ! ! I may not be around for a couple of days, but I'll update as soon as I can with pictures.

I posted my newest picture on my Facebook, and while talking with my mom today she mentioned that I've lost too much weight. Apparently, my younger brother thinks I look "sick" and my face looks "gaunt". I have a couple of friends who had RNY, and they looked "sick" and their faces were actually gaunt looking because they weren't following the rules. They still drank heavily, and partied all the time. I have and continue to follow the sleeve rules with the exception of Protein supplements. But, I'm getting my protein from food sources. I personally do not see it. John doesn't think I look sick, but he does think I've lost enough weight. Is this because all of my family is accustomed to seeing tip the scale at 250+ or do I really look sick? I know early on some of the after pictures, I did look kind of sickly, but I was sick then. Now, I'm feeling good, and eating much better than I ever have. I'm trying not to be hypersensitive, but the last thing I want is for people to think I look sickly.

Adapted from this recipe: Simple Salisbury Steak - All recipes I add in my own stuff based on the reviews and our personal tastes. Also, the nutrition facts are not accurate, and I haven't taken the time to input it all into myfitnesspal.com I've also made this with venison (our preferred meat choice to decrease the fat). I've never made it with ground turkey. I've used 97% lean ground beef as well. Cut the sodium and fat count by choosing reduced fat and sodium Soups Ingredients - 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey or venison 1/2 -3/4 cup of pork rinds (usually calls for bread crumbs) 2 egg whites 1 can of condensed French Onion Soup ( You can substitute the Beefy Onion or Mushroom onion Soup packets by Lipton, mix with 1 cup of Water, if you opt for this method, leave the milk out or the gravy will be too runny) 1 can of condensed Cream of Mushroom soup (98% fat free) 3-4 small Mushrooms sliced ( optional I don't use them) 1 small onion chopped (I prefer yellow or sweet onions) 1/2 cup of milk (soy milk didn't work well for my first attempt, so I use 1% milk) 2 Tbsp of Worchestershire sauce 2tsp Garlic powder (can increase based on taste preference) Pepper to taste preference 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt plain (most recipes call for Sour Cream) Directions: Mix pork rinds, egg whites and ground beef/turkey, Worchestershire sauce, garlic powder, only mix in 1/2 of the chopped onion and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix well with hands to ensure even consistency. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form meat mixture into patties about 1/2-3/4 inch thickness. Brown on stove top for 3-5 minutes on each side (will vary by thickness). Remove patties from stove top, add all other ingredients, EXCEPT greek yogurt, to skillet, and heat over medium heat for 10 minutes stirring often. Add greek yogurt right before covering patties. I found if I overheat the greek yogurt with these ingredients it doesn't mix well. Place patties in foil lined casserole(I use an 8x8 square dish) baking dish, and cover with gravy. Cook in oven uncovered for 35 minutes or until patties are done. Ovens vary so adjust cooking time. This is a staple in our menu rotation. I was leery on this recipe because I hated salisbury steak as a kid. But, this is really a great option for a nice hearty dinner chalked full of Protein. I serve these with no yolk egg noodles, or garlic mashed potatoes and green Beans, peas or broccoli. On this particular evening I served it with garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. This was John's plate, not mine. I can eat 1/2 of one patty, and some veggies.

I didn't have trouble losing 20-60lbs. My issue was keeping it off, and being hungry all the time. I ate healthy, I just ate a lot when I wasn't dieting. For me, the sleeve gave me the best of both worlds, 3 years out, I still never experience physical hunger, and satiety off smaller meals within a decent caloric intake. I could do it on my own, lose it, but there's no way I could keep it off without my sleeve.

If you can't comprehend how shady this situation appears that is totally on you. It's sad because so many could be helped rather than shuffling people to just this particular surgeon.

I questioned how her surgeon was getting a non-covered procedure covered with Tricare after years of it being denied. Our bariatric program has been shut down at our MTF where I had my revision. Every spouse is getting referred off base and the band or bypass are the only allowable surgeries. Congressional complaints, appeals, and all the hoops have been filed and jumped through with zero approvals. We went round and round about it via private message some time last year. I should have recalled the screen name when she posted, but because I quit frequenting this forum, my memory lapsed. And, I was truly hoping it wouldn't be turned into a drama fest of my surgeon got it approved. Other military wives are struggling to get this surgery. It's cloak and dagger stuff, and it saddens me that others have struggled for years, postponed surgery, or had to self-pay because the codes used won't get disclosed. It's all secretive and in my opinion unfair if there is a way to get it covered, yet the information can not be shared unless you go through this particular surgeon. Out of the hundreds of denials, how in the heck is this ONE surgeon getting approvals and getting paid by a government ran insurance program. It really saddens me that this surgeon is not willing to help others in other states get approval. The rules of our insurance is strict enough as it is. IF there is a legal and legitimate way to get VSG covered with a civilian surgeon, it would help 1000s of other military wives/dependents who deserve to have the surgery they need. Like I said, Medicare has approved it, Tricare will follow, hopefully sooner than later.

Luckily, Medicare picked it up so hopefully VSG will be covered by Tricare. It'd be nice for this surgeon to share, but I think we've had this conversation before and I'll just quit asking for others to get help. This is why I quit coming here, because of the posts like this. No consideration for anyone else, cloak and dagger when others are out here struggling to get coverage.

Can you share how you got it covered and what code he used to get it covered since you're in the South region of Tricare as well? The reason I'm asking is because our MTF is no longer offering bariatrics as the surgeons have both been PCS'd. So, now everyone is getting referred off base, and getting denied since Tricare has NOT picked it up here. They've gone through the requirements, they meet the guidelines and they are still getting denied and ONLY approved for the band or bypass. No hate, just if it's getting approved, it would be helpful to other dependents if you could share some details to help others.

No out of pocket expense at all.

Thanks so very much ! ! ! You'll love the sleeve!

I agree 100%. Grant it, I had surgery to avoid setting myself and the baby up for possible complications and pre-disposing the baby to being obese as studies are now showing obese mothers have a higher incidence of obese children. The main reason doctors advise patients to wait an XX amount of months post-op is because it gives the body to stabilize at a specific weight, BUT there are hundreds of women who get pregnant before even 1 year post-op and have perfectly healthy, full term babies.

1) Your swelling has subsided. 2) Liquids in, liquids out 3) Acid mimics hunger. However, not all "acid medications" are created equally. If you are on an H2 blocker, you will not get the full effect of acid reduction. An H2 blocker treats the symptoms, H2 blockers are Zantac, Pepcid. Proton Pump Inhibitors/PPIs actually stop the acid from producing in your stomach and those are Dexilant, Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, or any generic of those drugs. These drugs need to be taken on an empty stomach and some require a full hour wait time before eating, Nexium requires 30 minutes. OR, you can eat and take them 2-3 hours after eating. I choose to take mine first thing in the morning and wait an hour. Sometimes, you need to double up on the dose. Zantac, Pepcid never does anything for me. broth counts as a liquid. There is absolutely no reason to be alarmed with liquids. It's the sheer mechanics of your pyloric valve opening. Be grateful that you can get in that much liquid. It took me an hour to 8oz at 6 weeks post-op. We do not have pouches like RNY patients, there is no stoma. We have normal functioning stomachs, just smaller in size. Easy mental picture when you start progressing through the stages and learning about eating post-VSG: Think of your sleeve like a kitchen sink: Liquids : Dump liquids in, they slide right on down, empty into the drain. NO stopping Full liquids/thick liquids: Dump 3ounces of yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding down the drain; It will slide down the drain opening a bit slower, but you don't have to stir it around, or mush it through the sink drain. Mushy/puree: (this is where your teeth come in extra handy) you can dump some puree chicken salad/chili/egg salad down the drain and it's gonna sit there for a bit, it'll leak through, right? but it's going to take some time. So you might have to get a spoon to stir it around to get it to go down the drain. Soft Solids: Oh chewing is essential. You can toss some ground beef in the sink and it's not going down without some mushing down/stirring it around with the spoon to get it through the drain opening. . The stomach after surgery still isn't sure what to do with those soft protein/solids, so it's slow to work properly, and all the stomach really does is break down, mush down the food. 85% of Absorption of nutrients/calories etc etc occur in the intestine. Anyways, the meat is going to need some help to get down the drain. Gastric fluids, the mechanical work of the stomach, and chewing helps this process. This is when you really get the restriction. Measuring your mushy/purees and onto soft solids and Protein will keep you from overeating and puking or being in pain. Once you get to full liquids, still be cautious and measure out. Once you're on mushy/purees, always, always measure. Don't eat until full, eat the measured, prescribed portion and that will help you stay within your caloric intake for the day. The pyloric valve is what regulates how and when the food dumps into the intestines. That's why liquids don't offer restriction. Sip away, enjoy hydration so many of us struggled with being able to get in fluids. As time progresses, your stomach works better, transit time speeds up and you can eat a bit more. This is where the "sleeve stretching" posts come up. People think they've stretched something, when it really boils down to the stomach is just working properly.

Many of you all know that I have been absent from VST for several month and with good reason. I delivered Tatum on 30 October 2011. Having an infant is tough work, no matter how prepared, old, or well-versed you , sleep deprivation sucks. Of course, now we have moved onto major growth spurts and teething, but hey I'm getting to sleep at least! Here is my newest update, I do apologize for my absence from here and I am working to reply to all my private messages, Please know that it is nothing personal, I just needed a break, and I can't promise I'll be back regularly, BUT I am here. I will reply, I am on Facebook way more than I am, but I have stopped adding friends there as well. I am however always open to answer any questions anyone may have. I am 20 weeks pregnant again, as I've posted before, I popped positive on another pregnancy test and this baby is due just 2 weeks before Tatum's 1st birthday. Least to say, this pregnancy is vastly different and way more difficult. BOY! ! ! ! Even more importantly, Nugget is thriving. We had the big anatomy scan today, along with full detailed U/S of the heart, lungs, brain, bones and ALL are measuring normal and with zero defect or abnormalities ! ! ! Big sigh relief, and eternally grateful. Some not so great news for me; 4 weeks ago, had a bad case of food poisoing, E. Coli was found in my urine culture. I've struggled significantly through this pregnancy with what a lot of women refer to as "all day sickness". I went off my Celebrate multi and switched over an RX prenatal. First mistake was switching, when something works, DO NOT change it. The prenatal induced the "all day sickness" for weeks until I put 2 and 2 together. Yes, it took awhile, pregnancy mush brain along with dealing with Tatum 24/7 with my husband gone for the last 6 weeks has been hell to say the least. So, anyways, I switched over to a chewable Centrum Complete, 2 weeks on that and the nausea returned. All in all, my Iron is tanking, not severe enough for me to have to do extra supplements and my platelet count is already down in the 90k range. So, more labs, ordered my Celebrate Vitamins back and they'll be here this week, and the platelet count is being monitored every 2 weeks. This all explains my chronic fatigue and need for a daily nap even though I'm 20 weeks out. This pregnancy is much more difficult. I've already gained 14lbs and with the Prednisone therapy looking like it's going to happen a lot sooner than last time, my high risk ob told me today to brace for an additional 25-30lbs gained. Least to say, mentally I'm prepared this time for it. Physically, it's going to kick my butt! Overall, I am elated with the news on gender and Nugget's overall health and development. I am working on me, my BP is running extremely low, today it was 83/50, super low even for me so I have to drink even more fluids (I already drink 90-100ounces per day), and try to rest more. Thank you all for your continuous support, encouragement, love and prayers. We're halfway home on this pregnancy, and while my pregnancies post-VSG have been pretty awesome, this is my LAST pregnancy. Definitely doing the snip snip dance during the csection. Cheers everyone ! ! !

Amen, you couldn't pay me to have any sort of band around my stomach. NEVER.

Yes, it's extremely true. That is why it is recommended that if you are going to use a hormonal bc method to use a back up method as well. Many early out WLS patients end up pregnant because of the hormone flux, and increased fertility and unpredictable cycles. I was never diagnosed with PCOS and we never TTC'd before I lost weight. Therefore, I have no idea if my weight decreased my chances of pregnancy. I simply refused to get pregnant fat. Now at 3 years post-op, I'm 21.5 weeks into my 2nd post-VSG pregnancy. Delivered a beautiful, healthy, full term baby girl last October, and this October we will welcome a new little brother to the family. Most reproductive endocrinologist highly recommend losing weight, especially by doing low carb to increase fertility. We struggled for our first year of TTC, I endured 2 chemical pregnancies, and then conceived Tatum without medical intervention, had a completely uneventful, uncomplicated pregnancy due to VSG with her, 2.5 months later, I popped positive again with Nugget. AND, we were preventing with a barrier method, and were not trying to conceive so quickly after delivery.

Just want to quote it for future reference and easy for me to pull. You wrote it all out so eloquently and precise. Thanks for taking the time for those trying to get VSG.

I seriously have zero food restrictions. Early out chicken was the most difficult to eat, it needs to be moist, but by 5-6 months out, food was easy. The only foods that sit heavy in my stomach to this day is brown rice, pork chops and scrambled eggs. Steak, scallops, chicken, turkey, roast, all veggies work just fine. I eat lettuce wraps weekly, ya know meat with a romaine lettuce leaf wrapped around it. Nothing fancy. Food just works. There's no pouch/stomach, just a regular stomach that functions the same as before. Healing varies, and food tolerances vary for each patient, but most report zero food restrictions. I can eat those foods listed above, but they "sit" heavier than other foods.

I'm 3 years post-op today. Have absolutely zero regrets, and I'm a band to vsg revisioner as well. I live a very normal life in maintenance, and currently into my 2nd pregnancy post-VSG. The sleeve is the complete opposite of the band. It's pretty awesome to be honest. I enjoy a varied diet in maintenance, but I ate low carb, high Protein through my entire losing phase (6.5 months). I started at 263lbs at 5'2", and got to goal of 150lbs in 6.5 months, lost an additional 23-25lbs over another 4.5 months getting me into maintenance. I delivered my daughter Tatum 30 October 2011, and I'm due with Nugget (a boy, we can't decide on a name) on 17 October 2012.

I'm 20 and a half weeks into my 2nd post VSG pregnancy and as of today, I'm 3 years post-VSG. If you get pregnant early out, nothing happens to your stomach staples. The standard recommendation is to wait 1 year after achieving goal. This recommendation has become more lax with some surgeons over the years because more and more women get pregnant before that time frame. Some surgeons say 6 months, some say to wait 2 years. It really varies on each individual patient. It's best to wait until you've at least achieved goal, and can consume enough food to support your body. The baby steals everything from you. Getting pregnant while still obese is just as dangerous to you and the baby, and can complicate the pregnancy. Plus, the hormone flux and rapid weight loss, heavier restriction during those first few months out make it more difficult for some women. Not to mention all the other pregnancy stuff, like morning or all day sickness, food aversions, cravings, increased hormones and other fun pregnancy stuff. I was personally cleared at 8 months post-VSG for TTC. I was below goal, able to consume enough calories to support my body and a developing baby plus my labs were great. It took us a year to conceive Tatum. I delivered her on October 30, 2011. The year of trying to conceive I endured 2 chemical pregnancies and had already been referred to a reproductive endocrinologist because we had not been successful without medical intervention. Then, BAM, a sticky baby. My pregnancy was uncomplicated due to VSG. I was high risk for other reasons, my age of 34, and the fact I have a rare clotting disorder. This pregnancy has not been complicated by VSG either. I am due October 17th with this baby boy.

At this point, don't squeeze anything in especially if you're feeling full. There is a reason behind not eating until full. If you are logging your food intake, and hitting your Protein and Fluid goals at this stage, you are doing fine. I'm 3 years out, and pregnant so what I'm eating today is no where close to what you would be eating in your losing stage. During my losing stage, I ate 600-800 calories, 640z of clear fluids, 60+grams of protein and no more than 30-40grams of carbs per day. I ate 4 meals per day, no Snacks, no Protein drinks, every meal had to have a minimum of 15grams of protein to ensure I hit that 60grams of protein. Keeping that regimen gave me two things; 1) It kept me satisfied because I was eating protein 2) kept me in my caloric and carb guideline for optimal results. For me, my "worry" obsessiveness didn't go away until I was over a year out, and then I had to realize I was below goal, maintaining that I had to start living life as normal as possible.

I lost 130+ pounds, and honestly before pregnancy, I had zero medical need for plastic surgery anywhere on my body. I had this little baby fat roll/excess skin on my lower abdomen that could have been removed, but there wasn't a true need for it. That first year of maintenance really showed great improvements to my skin. It rebounded nicely, and I had zero need for spanx or other compression garments. I wasn't having to shove excess skin into my size 2 jeans. At 19 months post-op, I got pregnant. Gained 35lbs in the pregnancy, and all my weight came back to my "trouble areas", my stomach mainly. My skin stretched out, way out, good thing though is that I didn't gain one additional stretchmark. I lost 25lbs within 4-5 weeks after delivery, and even though I was only 10lbs from my maintenance weight, I couldn't get back into my jeans. The skin was way too much, and I was having to wear 8/10s. Low and behold, just 2 months after delivery of my daughter on October 30th last year, I popped pregnant again. I wore small maternity clothes through my entire last pregnancy, and now that I'm at the halfway point of this pregnancy, I'm having to wear size medium to large maternity clothes because I've already "popped out" and I'm showing big time this time around. I did have some wound healing issues with my csection incision because the skin in that region is so fragile. I had a csection 14 years ago with my first son. I have 2 large stretch marks that go through that region and the skin is super thin and fragile that they had issues closing the incision. I've qualified for a tummy tuck, and will be having it done sometime next year. My son is due on 17 October of this year. I will wait a minimum of 9 months to do the tummy tuck because I know the skin needs time to rebound. Genetics, how long we've been obese, how long we've punished our skin, and age does play a role in how our skin rebounds. More than anything, time is your best friend in the skin department. I know people who are three years+ post-op and their skin is still tightening up and changing.

Thank you all so very much ! ! !

Medicare denied covering it just yet, so Tricare isn't either. So, you are correct, it is STILL a non-approved, non-covered, procedure with Tricare unless performed at an MTF then Tricare really isn't paying the claim as they do to civilian doctors.

When you get the approval, let us know because I've just had 2 more friends denied after jumping through the 6 month pre-op requirements, the psych eval, the nutrition class and the letter came down last week that ONLY Bypass and the band are approved.