Hi! I'm new! Lets be friends :D

[hittpants11 18]

I'm not looking for a quick fix, I'm looking to prolong my glorious life. Being the gestapo I am, I googled the crap out of bariatric, and after getting the green light from my husband - I made my decision. Called Tricare (I have Tricare Prime) and they told me what I need to do to get it approved. Can I tell you how crazy excited I was to find that not only do they cover bariatric surgery, there is a good chance that I will pay NOTHING. Wait....WHAT....like zero dollars??.. ..is this real life!??!?!???!

About a month later, we went home to Austin (hubby was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the time) for Thanksgiving vacay. I was going to call and schedule Dr appointments and get the ball rolling after the new year (2012). BUT the universe had other plans. On Jan 11th 2012 (our 1 year wedding anniversary , we found out I was pregnant.

So here I am now in SE Georgia, husband is deployed, with a six month old. Had gestational diabetes during my last trimester and was on a diabetic diet until my son was born. I gained about 35 pounds during my pregnancy and was able to shed 15. I know I probably was smaller than that a few weeks after but I have been steadily gaining now hovering anywhere in between 259 -264. Aside from the day I gave birth, this is the largest I have ever been. Of course I like the idea of not being plus size and lookin all thin and stuff but my health is the now the driving force behind me deciding to actually do this. I am so scared of getting full blown diabetes. Because I had gestational, I have like a million percent chance of getting full-blown diabetes if I don't lose the weight. My most recent weight loss venture has been weight watchers. I could see how a person could have success with it but it's just not working for me. Oh yeah, did I mention my sister is a licensed personal trainer/nutritionist/crossfit instructor? And a ex-boxer? She is almost 100% lean muscle and is in NO WAY supportive of this. I told her last time back before I got pregnant that I was considering it and she flipped out. Told me that I don't need that and that it's a lazy person's answer to a life long problem. Whatever skinny butt! Go off now and eat your paleo crap burgers. That being said, I love my sister dearly and appreciate her concerns but it's my life and my decision. I've always been the type of chick who threw caution to the wind and just went with it. Some would call me brave. I don't think I'm as brave as I used to be. Funny how a husband and kid change things like that. I think twice now before I do or say anything. Especially, since my hubbers is in the Navy. Can't let my mouth go and get me in trouble.

I had my very first appointment on Monday 2/25/2013 with my PCM to get a referral to a bariatric surgeon in the SE Georgia or Jacksonville area. She is having me go and get my blood sugar tested (since I haven't after having my son), then I will meet back with her in a week. Got an email today from Tricare telling me that my referral to the surgeon has been approved. I know that after meeting with him he will be able to help me make the decision right for me. I am still breastfeeding and really want to continue breastfeeding as long as possible up to 1 year old. However, it looks like I will have to switch to formula before I have any surgery. Duh. I seriously can't imagine picking up my son and hoisting him up to nurse after surgery. YIKES!

[music1618 879]

Well welcome to your new life. Thank you to your family for serving our country! I know it is a family effort.

Trust when I say this is not the lazy person way of losing weight. You have to follow through so much. It will be a life changing experience and will test your physical an mentally abilities many many times.

I had surgery due to medication that was making me gain weight. I could not get off the medication unless I lost weight and hard to lose weight when you are always hungry.

People who are naturally skinny do jot understand the struggles. Your sister will get on board when she sees the results, the new you, and how hard this can be.

This is a great board and has lots of support and honest feedback.

[hittpants11 18]

Well thank you. It is very rough being away from your husband, especially because of our six month old. He's missing important milestones. Thank God for video recorders.

I'm honestly not concerned about what my sister thinks. I'm doing this for my family and, above all, myself.

[tinkycheeks 31]

Welcome! Congratulations on your little one. I too was looking into the surgery and got pregnant instead. Best thing ever. You sound like a great uplifting person and I know you're going to do great in your journey!

[Emily Brokaw 0]

I have tricare prime too! I was approved in 2010 when we were stationed in Jackonsville, and i saw the North Florida surgeons. Unfortunately he got pcs'd last minute and i'm still in the fight to getting the surgery. Things have changed alot since i first was approved. Now we are required to be on a 6 month supervised diet with your PCM, which basically just involves going into the doctor once a month, weighing in and telling him/her what diet changes/excercise changes you've made. It's a real bummer, but it's just one of the million hoops you have to jump through. Good luck!