BigViffer

HW = Highest Weight SW = Surgery Weight CW = Current Weight GW = Goal Weight

I'd say I've gained a *bit* of muscle...

I just had to double check the costco website, manufacturers have several "recipes" for different products. The one on Costco website is this: https://www.costco.com/Muscle-Milk-Light-Chocolate-Shakes-11-oz.%2c-18-pack.product.100282744.html And the ingredients list no whey?! Now I am not saying Muscle Milk never includes whey, because I know I've seen it before. If what you are seeing is like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Muscle-Milk-Protein-Powder-Vanilla/dp/B0106ZJ4R8/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498569079&sr=8-3&keywords=muscle%2Bmilk%2Bpowder%2B100%2Bwhey&th=1 Then yes that is a decent one. I don't care for the taste of muscle milk shakes, so I've never bought the powder. Can't give you any input there. My favorite is Gold Standard.

Can you clarify "addicting"? Sent from my phone. Please forgive brevity and spelling.

If you go by the label, it sounds pretty good. But when you look at the ingredients list you will see that they predominately cheap milk proteins instead of the whey. They have some whey in them, but that is usually last on the list in their protein blend. Spending that much on a protein, it should be 100% whey. Especially if they are marketing themselves as a lifters protein source.

damn thing posted twice. Sorry.

Many times a person will no longer post if they do not get the desired response from a thread. Or many will stop coming or posting if they continue making poor choices with their diet and health. On the flip side, some people feel so chastised that they just stop coming.

Glad to see you are still rocking the gym Tink. I really need to update my routine on here. I don't do most anything on this routine anymore if you can believe that! I have simplified a lot and focused on strength versus size/ aesthetics. I looked better last year, but I am pulling 65 more pounds on the deadlift, 75 more on squats, and about the same with bench press.

I am neither endorsing nor recommending this product other than to say I have used it: https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Nutrition-Protein-Turmeric-Servings/dp/B01DOEL8CM?th=1 Tumeric flavored bone broth powder. The problem with it is the fact that it is a poor protein, collagen. This is not a protein that has any great efficacy with muscle growth or retention. It can't hurt, but it is not really giving you the same bang for your buck in regards to usable protein. But it is at least better than Genepro. Pretty much any unflavored whey protein powder would work with a heavily spiced or seasoned mashed vegetable IMO. While I do enjoy a great tasting meal, an OK tasting meal that meets my macros is far more worthwhile IMO.

OK, this is going to be a bit long winded, but you asked! I am literally going to copy/paste my past post because I don't feel like typing a book. I find the best way to prepare GENEPRO is to make sure the lid is on tightly and then chuck it in the trash. The makers of that stuff are about as shady as they come. They say their magical process reduces the size of Protein molecules! In their own words: They are saying their 10g of special protein is equivalent to 30g whey. I believe this says it best about Genepro: Long story short, they are selling lies. Most likely they are selling BCAA's and calling it protein. Do yourself a favor and buy a reputable protein brand. Gold Standard is good brand. There are so many manufacturers that lie on their labels, you almost have to look them up and see how many lawsuits they have against them before you buy! If their process was true, every other maker out there would be following suit because it is such a cutthroat business. The fact that most retail chains refuse to carry it is evidence of the company's reputation. The only reason I reply (yet again) to this type of post is to protect new patients from wasting money on snakeoil. I need to bookmark my reply to this ridiculous garbage product. It comes up so often it's a PITA to search for it. The manufacturers even admit that there is really only 10 grams of protein, but it is magically fast with absorption and is the equivalent to eating 30 grams of protein. It's a whey based product. It is most definitely not 30 grams of bio-available protein. The calories are just not there either. This stuff does not contribute to satiety, meaning you will still be hungry. At best it leaves protein markers in the blood stream, more likely though your body will start to break down your own muscle tissue for the protein that it needs. It does not provide the building blocks the body needs for muscle tissue, nails and hair. So you are most likely will have issues with that. Just stay away from this crap and ask your NUT if they are just espousing what a marketing rep told or did some actual leg work and investigated it. I'll wager they did not. Oh, and on the subject of unflavored powder. They are just that, unflavored. That does not mean they have no flavor, it merely means that they do not mask the natural flavor of the powder. I tried unflavored in the beginning, but it only worked for me with very strong soups like curries or tomato.

As well you should not be convinced. It's snake oil.

If you trusted the surgeon enough to cut you and remove 80% of an organ, you may want to give his opinion on alcohol consumption some more thought. I had a few drinks at 5 months, but I have the sleeve and I had clearance with my surgeon. First time you drink there is a very real possibility of getting sick.

I have never heard of caffeine as a hunger stimulant. That's really strange since many "diet pills" and appetite suppressants contain caffeine.

I honestly can't tell if you are asking a serious question or trying to be funny.. In case you are honestly curious, that wasn't me. That was some of the more pathetic members of the forum. Sent from my phone. Please forgive brevity and spelling.

Glad to see you qualified that pasta with protein! But I'll be honest, both the protein pasta and rice give me a very uncomfortable feeling even 2+ years out. If you are doing a bunch of cardio during the week, the carbs in the sushi should be fine. But as a staple in your diet would be a very bad idea. I find it odd that I used to love starchy foods before; bread, potatoes, and rice. I could live off bread and dip of almost any kind. Now I rarely ever think of them. The uncomfortable feeling has ruined those foods to me, and I am totally cool with that now.

I'm betting after you have that first salad, you won't be craving them quite so much. Lettuce is not only nutritionally worthless, is will go right through you. Of course, if you are battling constipation that could be a good thing. Kale, arugula, and cabbage make a far healthier salad that will stick with you a little longer, are far more nutritional dense, and high enough in fiber to help keep you regular.

That is an incredible change in a short amount of time, congratulations and keep up the good work!

When trying to decide if you want to join a gym, the most important thing is to be honest with yourself about why you are going. Do you want to go to the gym because that's what you're "supposed" to do? Let's go over some of the reasons to join a gym: Duh, once you have the surgery, you are supposed to go to the gym in order to exercise and lose weight. Actually, diet is what is going to allow you to lose the weight. The extra movement of course will help, but exercise is more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I want to avoid saggy skin and I heard that exercising will help the skin go back to a young 20 something hard bodies skin! Sorry, the only way to get tight skin is to either back fill with a metric ****-ton of muscle or plastic surgery. Some people on here look fantastic in their pictures, but unless they had surgery they are going to have scars, stretch marks, or saggy skin. I want to get out of my comfort zone and maybe make some new friends. Actually, this is a great reason to go to the gym. As long as it doesn't become the sole reason for your attendance. Zumba, yoga, pilates, elipticals... all of these things made us self concious because of bouncing fat or hanging bellies. Now we will be able to participate in these activities and will see the results very quickly. It is an intoxicating experience. Believe me. I want to gain endurance. I'm tired of being tired walking up a flight of stairs. Another good reason to start going to the gym! After just a few pounds lost, you will be amazed at how much less winded you will be. I want to get strong. This is me. I had so many stupid injuries in my past that I wanted to do it right this time. In regards to personal trainers, allow me to quote myself: So yeah... not a fan of them. I know the weight room can be intimidating. Especially for women. Meatheads are assholes to new guys and they are absolute insufferable to women. They will mock the new members trying to get into shape and the leer at the ones that are attractive. I know I had to deal with it in the beginning when I was working with 10lbs dumbells. Of course, now that I am bench pressing more than these guys can deadlift they don't have much to say. The best thing you can do for yourself at the gym is to have a plan. Read, research, question, and read some more. Don't believe something on the internet. If you want to become the cardio queen, go to a bookstore and buy a book on running. That will at least have to have had a proof reader and more than likely a fact checker. Forums are a poor source of information. If you are wanting to get into weightlifting, go to the book store and look for Starting Strength or The Barbell Prescription. The latter is my preferred book. Starting Strength is the bible for strength training, but it is fairly rigid and assumes you want to become a power lifter. Barbell Prescription is about how it can improve your life. I'm getting a little longwinded here. If you have a specific set of questions, go ahead and post them and tag me in the post so I know you want more input.

lol... This was just asked a couple hours ago: https://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?/topic/397790-Alcohol? Sent from my phone. Please forgive brevity and spelling.

Discussed ad nauseam: https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=alcohol&sortby=relevancy&search_in=titles You'll find both sides of the argument explored and talked about in agonizing detail and breathtaking recklessness.

Actually, the pH level of coffee is not much different than your own saliva. Coffee acidity seems to be all the rage night now, rather low acid coffee, but that isn't describing the pH level of the brew: https://espressocoffeeguide.com/all-about-coffee-2/coffee-flavor/acidity/ Now, I don't doubt that coffee could have affected your digestive system. A good, strong cup of Joe can send me waddling to the bathroom with cheeks clenched tighter than a tube top in a trailer park. But it is related to the concentration of caffiene and not the pH of the coffee. edit - just found this:

This is something you should be asking your surgeon and not strangers on an internet forum. We've got people here that eat crispy bacon or fried chicken on the way home from the hospital for gods sake! Seriously though; you trusted them enough to cut into you, trust them if they tell you to avoid caffeine. Me personally, I cannot remember how long it was after surgery that I was allowed coffee again, but I do remember the awful heartburn it caused at first.

It is not recommended to chew gum post op because the act of chewing signals the body that you are eating and your stomach starts producing digestive juices. That can lead to heartburn and worst case scenario ulcers.

2 ounces of meat is measured by weight with a scale. 2 ounces of milk is measured by volume with a measuring cup. That's the problem with the imperical scale. Most people leave off the "fluid" modifier when talking about volume. The metric system is so much more clear with grams vs milliliters. There really is very little confusion with the metric system.

I hope they gave a little more information on that. 2 ounces of cheetos will not satisfy anyone like 2 ounces of meat, but it will have a greater volume. Density and volume are both important. Since most meats have near the same relative density, measure out 2 ounces of that and compare that to your thumb and let that be your guide in the beginning.