*Dean*

I had really mild reflux. Yours sounds a bit more persistent than mine. I started taking a table spoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning and it went. Deano

I've got down to a healthy BMI 10 years ago with diet and exercise. I've obviously put most of that back on again. Once I started losing weight with VSG my Dad said "Don't stuff it up again this time". I said "Don't for get to say 'I told you so' If I do". Old people eh? Somebody shoot me if I end up like that .......

A pretty versatile nutritious seed. I've made this choc chia pudding for tonight. I'll let you know what it's like. I substituted the maple syrup with sugar free maple and some stevia. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/chia-recipe-decadent-chocolate-chia-pudding.html

Good luck! Don't eat that all at once

Been reading about chia seeds. Read an article last night in front of the TV and said to my wife "I might give them a try". Opened the fridge this morning and there's a big bag in there. I love my wife.

I wouldn't worry about this. I'm sure the 'experts' will be intimidated by your passion and real life experience.

Born and bred Sydney boy. Moved to Brisbane in Queensland 10 years ago. Actually alot of people call Brisbane Bris-vegas, because it's an oasis in the middle of nowhere! Where's your son at?

That's 4am here - any chance of a podcast? Deano

Over here (Australia) they're available in the health food isle of most supermarkets.

Yep, all of the above. That is a perfectly achievable (eventual) goal. Have some flexibility to move the goal posts down the track if you decide you're happy with the way you look and feel at a BMI other than 22. I got down to 87 kilos previously which was about 5 kilo's overweight (11 pounds). But at that weight I felt strong, fast and healthy. That was 10 years ago. I don't really know what my 'ideal' weight will be this time, 10 years older. But I know that I'll know when I get there. All the best, Deano

There is more than one way to skin a cat! (what ever that means! )

I agree Dana. Eating what you want in smaller portions and I'm also enjoying having the power to make better choices more often as well.

I was put on a 2 week pre op diet, and I was glad that I was. Plus my surgery date got moved forward suddenly, and I had to go straight on the pre op diet. So no food funerals, or last binges. I've had an inappropriate relationship with food for years so I didn't want to have a 'last binge'. If I had an inappropriate relationship with my sister, I wouldn't go out on one last date with her for old times sake either! (NB - I don't have a sister) On re reading that it's probably a piece of dark copper humour, but my point is regular binges are riddled with guilt. I think a pre sleeve binge would be pretty blah. Like a celebration of being overweight and not happy with myself. Long story short you will eventually be able to have small amounts of all the food you've mentioned. Especially the seafood! So just relax. Enjoy what you eat before surgery, but it's not the end of eating. All the best, Deano

Dean's No.1 Pork Rib Rub 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar 1/4 Cup Smokey Paprika 1 Tbsp Black Pepper 1 Tbsp Salt 1 Tbsp Chili powder 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder 1 Tbsp Onion Powder 2 Tbsp Ground Cumin The night before trim your ribs remembering to remove the membrane on the underside. Rub your ribs with this rub the night before your BBQ and stick in the fridge covered. Dean's No.1 BBQ Sauce 2 Cups Tomato Sauce 1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar 1/2 Cup of Molasses 1/2 Tsp Salt 1/2 Tsp All Spice 1 Tsp Chili Powder 1 Tsp Smokey Paprika 1/2 Tsp Favourite Hot Sauce 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar 1 Tsp Cinnamon 1 Tsp Cumin 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper Slowly bring to boil and simmer for 30 minutes until thickens. Put the ribs on your smoker / BBQ at between 90 & 100 degrees C. I like to use lump charcoal because it's natural with some hickory or some peach wood for smoke. Put them on meat side up, bone side down. Cook them for 3 hours. When I first put them on I spray / baste them with apple juice with some apple cider vinegar and a bit of the rub mixed in. An el cheapo spray bottle is good for this. After 3 hours cover the ribs in foil. Give them a good spray before you wrap them. Cook for a further 2 hours covered. Don't open them. Remember "Lookin's not cookin". Unwrap and put back on the grill uncovered. Baste them with some of the warm BBQ sauce a few time during this last hour to build up a sticky crust. And - Ta daa! Best ribs ever. Deano

All of the above - eat clean, train hard!

I agree. What we tend to do is as we're successful we allow ourselves a little allowance here and there. For a while it doesn't make much of a difference, but eventually it all adds up. You've lost a massive amount of weight - you know what it takes!

Bit of a culture shock too! I'd love to go to Texas. I'm a bit of a BBQ Guru, you should taste my brisket

Looking good!

I believe it's all about the effect a carbohydrate has on your blood glucose. Some types of fibre, for example, are classified as a carbohydrate but have a zero effect on your blood glucose. Some people take away these carbohydrates to get a 'net carb' value.

Aah, just in time for summer!!

I think only you can make that decision. You're obviously going to get very pro WLS responses here. For me, I'd been struggling and yoyo dieting for decades. The older I got the harder it got. Eventually I'd lost all optimism for losing weight and I knew WLS was for me. If you think that you can avoid surgery, and the associated risks, and lose 100 pounds at a weight loss centre maybe you should give it a go? My thoughts again, but I don't think getting the ball rolling with both options would work. Losing weight is about commitment. If someone had an 'iron in the fire' with WLS as a back up plan, I don't believe anyone would succeed at what ever the first option was. What ever method you choose it has to be with a 'I'm NOT going to fail at this' attitude. Going to WLS appointments will undermine this. Good luck with what ever you choose, Deano

Almost!!!

My kids love that song!

I reckon it'd be ok. It would almost be juice after that tho!

I'd never heard of kombucha. Just looked it up. Looks interesting. With the chia seeds, do thay have to be split / broken so you don't just pass them whole?