I'm currently playing the waiting game. Any day now I should get an approval from Tricare and a surgery date. We're stationed in Germany right now and the Tricare lady said that I should be getting the surgery in April. I can't wait to join the April Bandsters!

I've been trying out different Protein shakes in an attempt to get ready. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good Protein powder or ready-made drink? I've done a lot of research and I was looking into the nectar brand. Has anyone tried the strawberry Mousse or vanilla bean flavor?

Thanks for all of your input/advice

We go on base to see our doctors. I'm getting a referral to a non-Tricare doc. Still waiting on that phone call I hope that your approval isn't too difficult!

Did you have to do the 6mos diet and 5 year history? Hope you hear from them soon.

I didn't have to do the six month diet. They wanted to know what methods I've used in the past to lose weight. I basically just had to talk through my weight throughout the last 5-10 years with the doctor. She didn't have all of my records.

Did you have to do the 6mos diet and 5 year history? Hope you hear from them soon.

Hello there! I got approved yesterday!!!! I am, of course, waiting for the doc's office to receive the letter from TriCare but its only a matter of time now before I get my surgery date!! YAY!

I hope you get your answer soon!

Congrats!! That's so great! I got a call that they are approving me, but I won't get the official word until Thursday or Friday! How exciting!

Hello there! I got approved yesterday!!!! I am, of course, waiting for the doc's office to receive the letter from TriCare but its only a matter of time now before I get my surgery date!! YAY!

I hope you get your answer soon!

Thank you! Do you prefer those in powder form or the pre-made kind? You're doing SO well! I can't wait to get to "Onederland!" Congratulations on all of your success with the band

Thanks!! I couldn't be happier with my progress. As for the Protein I like Muscle Milk and Labrada pre-made. I like the others in powder form as I can use them in all sorts of things. I put the Lean Dessert powder (Cinnamon roll) in pumpkin with cottage cheese. Xtreme Formulations makes a lemon creme pie powder and I mix it with greek yogurt, cool whip, and Cinnamon crunch Cereal (yes, you read that right ) You don't always have to drink shakes! I've even put Protein Powder and made pancakes with it. Creativity works wonders.

Hope that helps!

Yay us!!! Maybe we will be bandsters together!

Congrats!! That's so great! I got a call that they are approving me, but I won't get the official word until Thursday or Friday! How exciting!

Thanks!! I couldn't be happier with my progress. As for the Protein I like Muscle Milk and Labrada pre-made. I like the others in powder form as I can use them in all sorts of things. I put the Lean Dessert powder (Cinnamon roll) in pumpkin with cottage cheese. Xtreme Formulations makes a lemon creme pie powder and I mix it with greek yogurt, cool whip, and Cinnamon crunch cereal (yes, you read that right ) You don't always have to drink shakes! I've even put protein powder and made pancakes with it. Creativity works wonders.

Hope that helps!

I love the Muscle Milk, or Muscle Milk Light. You can take 4oz. of Water, and 2scopes of the Muscle Milk, mix well, and pour it into a Desert dish. Freeze it, and you have delicious pudding.

I hope so! I'm shooting for early April!

Yay us!!! Maybe we will be bandsters together!

Me too! Well...I would prefer tomorrow, but early April works too

I hope so! I'm shooting for early April!

The only thing with the protein shakes is that your taste changes after surgery and what you might like now you may not like after surgery. I bought chocolate and banana before surgery and needless to say the banana ended up in the trash about six months after surgery because I couldnt take it. Now I drink the eas sugarfree its not all that great but it sure helps when your too tight in the morning to eat.

Congrats!! That's so great! I got a call that they are approving me, but I won't get the official word until Thursday or Friday! How exciting!

Annie did you get approved?

I got approved to meet with the surgeon, but I guess I have to get re-approved for the surgery itself after I see the surgeon. My appointment is April 11th. I wish it was sooner, but I will keep trying to be patient

I'll let you guys know what happens after I see the surgeon. I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping that I'll be an April bandster!

Annie did you get approved?

I've only found 2 that I like. My favorite is a powder (which I mix with milk) and it's Chocolate peanut butter by Body Fortress, it's available on walmart.com. The other one I sort of liked was the pre-made one from Costco (I can't remember the name). Hope that helps!!!

It looks like patience paid off My surgery is set for May 10th! I won't be an April bandster, but I'm SO happy to have a surgery date. I am definitely starting to get nervous, but I think this is the best option for me

Hi TriCare family,

I am Tricare south. I am seeing a non-military doctor, but my approval was super fast (48 hrs). Tomorrow is my surgery!!! HOORAY. I was gonna tell you, that if you go to the tricare website and call the number provided they have an automated check your referal system, and if you have a phone with the internet and texting, they can text it to you, and then you wont have to call back, every time you have a referal sent in, you can check as many times as you like without feeling like you are bugging the person on the phone I actually knew I was approved before my surgeons office did. Good luck to all who are waiting for apporval, or to you already approved! Its gonna ROCK!!