Continuing their conversation about life updates, it is Sammi’s turn to talk about her experiences, particularly with motherhood. Joined once again by Bre, she shares how her daughter was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and how she takes care of her as a loving and supportive mother. Sammi also opens up about her latest pregnancy and how…

After a long break, VSG is now back with all-new episodes! To bring everyone on the same page, Bre shares some major life updates from last year, particularly her breakup from a six-year-long relationship. Joined once again by Sammy, Bre opens up about her split with John, how they decided to share custody of their dog Penny, and how she found a ne…

We are so thrilled to be part of the Just Be You Bariatric Awards Show in Portland, OR, on Nov. 12 at the Aladdin theatre! We are not only nominated for Favorite Bariatric Podcast, but will also be presenting! Get your tickets soon! Hosting this exciting event are the folks behind our sister-from-another-mister podcast, Our Sleeved Life Podcast. In…

Sammi is pregnant! To celebrate this joyous occasion, she shares her pregnancy stories by answering a few questions from the listeners. Together with Bre, Sammi compares her current pregnancy to her first one when she was still 19. She explains the feeling of having a baby as a post-op, the major changes in her eating habits, the challenges of the …

Will I ever live a normal life again? Will I forever have to avoid all the pieces of rice grain in my life, even the baked potato in all its glory? If you have asked yourselves these questions after bariatric surgery, know that you are not alone! Sammi and Bre share their own experiences of coming to terms with the big lifestyle changes they made p…

VSG Tea with Sammi and Bre is baaaack! Did you miss us? Then join in as Sammi and Bre give us updates on what’s been happening since the last episode. First off the list – Sammi’s engagement and wedding with Brock. Find out how that went and what Bre’s role had been throughout the whole thing. Plus, get some new updates on how Sammi and Bre are sta…

Have you experienced feeling down but a piece of chocolate or any dessert lightened you up? That’s a simple example of relying on food to ease an emotional feeling. Listen to Celebrity Nutritionist Karin Adoni as she shares her journey on starvation, binge eating, weight loss, and more. She discusses the importance of focusing on when to eat and ho…

Protein-based diets have been all the rave lately. But are these meat-centered meals beneficial in the long run? Proteinaholic author Dr. Garth Davis’ answer to this is NO. He believes that too much protein makes us sick, fat, and tired. In this episode, he joins Sammi and Bre to clarify and debunk these diet claims. Are you a Proteinaholic? Tune i…

More and more, we see the stigma surrounding bariatric surgery get shaken as awareness of it increases. Sammi and Bre chat with a significant contributor to this change on today's episode, Dr. Eric Smith from TLC's 1000-Lb. Sisters! Dr. Eric is a General and Bariatric Surgeon with Georgetown Bariatrics and Advanced Surgical Associates. On the show,…

We all hear about protein and pre-workouts as integral parts of keeping up with our health. But where’s the conversation about vitamins? The truth is, vitamins could either make or break your entire health journey. Vitamin deficiency is said to be one of the most common complications after bariatric surgery. These deficits greatly impact the patien…

Body privilege examines the economic, social, and political advantages you have based on your physical appearance. In this episode, Sammi and Bre spill the tea on the advantages of smaller-sized people. Indeed, it’s unacceptable to treat someone differently because of their size. But the reality is, people who don’t reach society’s beauty standards…

Beginnings could be hard, but you have to start taking action and learning something if you want to pursue that dream or career. Listen to this episode as Dana Lynn Kaye, the founder of Devotion Nutrition, shares how she began her professional journey. After her mom hurt her back, she did cardio exercises at the gym, and Dana watched and tried ever…

What makes your life worth living? Join your hosts Sammi and Bre as they share their major life updates. Sammi shares her personal achievement in moving into a condo which is a dream come true for her. Being captain of his own ship as she says, but did she not realize that renovating a house or condo would be so much work. Living together with his …

Don't fight against your own body all throughout your life. There are options you could consider to help you feel good about yourself and lead a fulfilling life. Sammi and Bre talk with Sarah Gilbert about her journey in weight loss and the struggles she has experienced throughout. Sarah had a weight problem and struggled with body image from a you…

“We are more than just our weight loss story.” Such a powerful quote from Sammi and Bre’s guest today who will surely leave you inspired. After losing over 160 pounds, Desiree Mize, also known as Dez or @wokeuplikedez, began her career as a fulltime transformation coach. Her ultimate goal is to inspire others to live their best lives, never allowin…

Did you know that the food you eat can take your mental health to the next level? For instance, eating food rich in Vitamin D lowers your anxiety. Nutrition goes way beyond your physical health, after all! In this episode, Sammi and Bre introduce Taylor Arco, a personal development coach who knows how food affects your whole being. Join in the conv…

The weight loss journey in men is not as talked about as women's, but their story is just as important. In this episode, Sammi and Bree sit down with someone whose story has inspired the community. John Arpino shares how he lost more than half of his weight and what he's doing to maintain his shape. As a male in the bariatric and weight loss commun…

If you are experiencing discomfort, you would sometimes wonder what’s wrong with you. It’s okay to make changes and learn how to take care of yourself more. After all, you are in charge of your life and your body. Join your hosts Sammi and Bre as they discuss the side effects of phentermine in their bodies and how they handle different situations. …

How should you manage your diet before and after an operation? Sammi and Bre's guest today is bariatric dietician Sam Tambeaux. Sam shares how there are areas in your life where you need coaches to have accountability and support. So if you need help with your nutrition, it's best to have an expert help you figure out what works for you. Each perso…

We can live and have a great life post-operation. Sammi and Bre's guest today is Kedric Barrett, who went from 461 pounds down to 218 after undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Kedric is the Host of the Sleeved Believe: The Hype Podcast. In this episode, Kedric shares how keeping your weight under control takes hard work. But everything worthwhile requir…

Choosing to have weight loss surgery is not an easy decision to make. There's a lot of steps and things to consider before making that leap. In this episode, Sammi and Bre sit down with Jessica Beaudry to discuss her weight loss surgery experience. From the moral support and encouragement from loved ones to getting her doctor's approval, Jessica ge…

You can do anything if you have the right support system. You need friends and family to help you through your surgery. In this episode, Sammi and Bre's guest is Natalie, who first underwent surgery at the age of 15. She had complications shortly after and had terrifying experiences in the emergency room. Today, Natalie has grown so much in overcom…

If we want to undergo gastric sleeve or bypass surgeries to manage medical conditions, improve our eating habits, and love ourselves more, then go for it. Weight loss surgeries aren’t easy, but they could give us the results we would have always wanted. We should take care of ourselves better and remember that our eating habits and mental health ar…

You’re more than just a number. In this episode, Sammi and Bre give the phentermine update you’ve all been waiting for. They discuss how numbers on your weight mean absolutely nothing when it comes to your mental health. Would you rather be strung out, depressed, and seven pounds lower? Join in the conversation as Sammi and Bre both agree that they…

Time flies by when you’re having fun, and that is just the case for us here at VSG Tea. In today’s episode, join the party as Sammi and Bre celebrate the show’s first anniversary! They look back on their journey, reminisce the early days with fun stories, and spill some tea behind the scenes on previous episodes. From Muppet jokes to almost getting…

There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you want to lose weight. As long as it makes you look and feel better, you can make the changes you want. Join Sammi and Bre as they talk with Krista Cassidy about her bariatric surgery, the pivotal moments that led to her decision, and how she overcomes challenges throughout her journey. Krista also shares her p…

Plastic surgery hurts but the results it can give can all be worth it. Sammi is back after her experiences with plastic surgery. Come and listen to today's episode of VSG Tea with Sammi and Bre to hear more about Sammi's long-awaited tummy tuck. Learn how expensive it was and how she paid for it. Feel the pain on how painful it was because some thi…

Sammi and Bre sit over ice tea and talk about the harsh truth of phentermine and antidepressant drugs. Bre has been taking phentermine, starting with the lowest dose but it wasn’t working. It didn’t help her lose weight at all. Instead, it made her feel like she’s in a dark place. She can’t even talk to her parents about it! Tune in to learn what s…

Recovering from surgery is not an easy process. Just as in everything in life, what’s important is how we rise above the challenges. Sammi and Bre sit down for a conversation with Hunter as they talk about dealing with trauma, suffering from binge eating, weight loss, coping with life’s obstacles, and living a healthier lifestyle. Hunter shares her…

We are all aware that health is wealth. So we make sure we are eating the right food and getting the regular exercise that we need. But while maintaining our health, we also want to feel confident and beautiful from the outside. Sammi and Bre share conversations with their doctors about using Phentermine in their diet for the short term and their e…

The journey towards weight loss will yield better results if started as early as possible. When it comes to teenage weight loss, undergoing surgery is a good idea, but a decision that's rarely done. Sammi and Bre dissect an NPR article to dive deep into the impact of such surgical procedures on teens. They discuss how a young mind must prepare for …

In today's episode of VSG Tea with Sammi and Bre, the ladies give an update on their phentermine journal. Learn what Sammi and Bre have been experiencing these past weeks when it comes to health. Does it really help in losing weight? Does the medication really stop your craving for food? How fast do the results show? Does Topamax really help in you…

As many post-operative would attest to, undergoing weight loss surgery is more than just getting a sleek figure. Looking at the bigger picture, you will discover that there are a lot more things to consider for this. Sammi and Bre explore this topic by focusing on a 2015 article by Debbie Strong about what a doctor doesn't tell about weight loss su…

Diagnosed with PCOS shortly after getting married in 2013 and told that she would not be able to have children, Charity underwent multiple rounds of fertility treatments in the next five years. She also turned to weight loss surgery after hearing testimonies of women with PCOS bearing children after losing weight. Finally, in October 2019, she had …

Phentermine has always been considered a forbidden word in weight loss, but Sammi and Bre explain why that thinking must now end. Sammi shares her experiences with this medication with her first week of phentermine checkup with Bre. She discusses how it affects her weight gain and loss and its impact on her eating habits. Sammi also talks about how…

Everyone’s weight-loss journey is unique. On today’s show, Sammi and Bre sit down to talk with the host of the Bariatric Book Club, Stephanie Ristow. Stephanie talks about her weight-loss journey and her life before and after surgery. The girls talk about post-op care and the challenges they faced after bariatric surgery. This episode is a definite…

We all know that gaining weight has a stigma attached to it, but losing weight does too, especially if there’s surgery involved. Sammi and Bre switch up roles with Genna and Bethany, better known on Instagram as Switchinitup_withGB. They talk about weight loss surgery and coping with the complications and changes it brings to your life. The ladies …

Even the most competent person has internal struggles. Joining Sammi and Bre today is London Darling, a drag entertainer and influencer who’s always had a certain level of body dysmorphia. In this episode, London shares her gastric bypass surgery journey and how she got through that massive transformation, which is paralleled by her trans journey. …

Food addiction roots back to mental health issues. Sammi and Bre’s guest for today is Amber Edwards, a social media influencer. In this episode, Amber shares her journey of experiencing traumatic events at several points in her life. As a result, she developed an unhealthy relationship with food. Amber discusses with Sammi and Bre how anyone who ex…

One's responsibility when undergoing bariatric surgery doesn't only happen during the procedure itself. How and what you eat after the surgery is also crucial, and here's where a proper bariatric diet comes in. Dissecting this meaty subject with Sammi and Bre is registered bariatric dietitian Megan Moore, author of The Complete Bariatric Cookbook a…

Sammi and Bre's guest is Stephanie Joplin, and today's topic is all about plastics. Stephanie gained a lot of weight after experiencing depression post-breakup, but put her strength to the test and lost weight on her own. After losing the weight, she went with a tummy tuck surgery. In this episode, you'll learn pro tips from Stephanie regarding sur…

What's it like to go on a date for a post-operative? Sammi and Bre focus their discussion on their dating experiences before and after undergoing VSG. They explore how they explored online dating, using applications like Tinder, Bumble, and Facebook Dating. They also go deep into the mixed reactions they got from their dates after discovering their…

There’s no doubt that having a slim physique can largely boost one’s self-confidence. For a safe and quick solution, many turn to the wonders of bariatric surgery. Exploring this procedure with Sammi and Bre is bariatric surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Dovec, MD, FACS. She discusses how she carries out such an intricate process and shares the most important …

Prepping yourself for your next move after surgery has to be, if not, one of the most challenging thoughts for every striving patient. Are you prepared for the unexpected change to your day-to-day system and be able to consider your life after surgery? In this episode, Amy Jo joins Sammi and Bre as she shares her post-op experience and her growing …

The journey to weight loss is never easy and many people can relate to how struggling that is. It takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice. While you are working hard for the body that you want, it’s nice to know that you are not alone, and there is a weight loss community that you can talk to or depend on. This is what Sammi and Bre will be talking…

Having fears and anxiety is a natural reaction when you are about to make a big change in your life. However, these should not stop you from really seeing it through. For others, having these show up is enough reason to chicken out but with Jade, also known as @shadesofjayy, she decided to put her mind into her VSG surgery and accomplished it. In t…

One of the most important things that you should think about even before undergoing weight loss surgery is the massive change that you have to make in your lifestyle. It is only to be expected that there are going to be restrictions after surgery and you have to live with them to make the most out of the results. Some of these restrictions can be c…

Recovering from weight loss surgery can look very different for different people. This is why it is helpful to hear perspectives from those who have undergone it so we know what to expect. Joining Sammi and Bre is Maddie, a blogger and influencer on weight loss surgery. Maddie talks about her post-surgery journey, including her struggles with datin…

Most people who underwent VSG are typically concerned about keeping their image as fit as possible and choosing which healthy diet to try. But there is one critical factor that is usually neglected by post-operatives: mental health. Sammi and Bre talk about their most depressing phases after undergoing VSG, from dealing with rapidly changing hormon…

Two weeks into her sleeve gastrectomy, your girl Bre is down 15.5 pounds! She joins Sammi for a tea and to share some post-op updates. Everybody’s experience of surgery is different, and Bre’s certainly had its ups and downs. Overall, it was definitely a win, though and she is hopeful for more positive stuff in the weeks to come. Stay tuned for mor…