BigViffer

@@chycky - OK, I just finished my "pancake". I used this powder: Metabolic Nutrition Protizyme Butter Pecan Cookie http://www.vitacost.com/metabolic-nutrition-protizyme-butter-pecan-cookie-2-lbs-1 2 eggs smidge of baking powder and milk instead of oil. The while cooking, I swear the thing doubled in size. It was very filling. I would also not call it a pancake, it was much more like french toast. And let me tell you, I am totally cool with that because I do miss french toast! I think I may have over cooked it though, I like my french toast to be more like a custard. I do recommend trying it, but just know that it is sitting kinda heavy on my stomach even after an hour. Not a bad sensation, but it is very filling.

@@beyondgrief - I have not had this brand, but I have eaten Mancakes: https://www.eatmancakes.com/product/buttermilk-mancakes/ I chuckled at the name too, but they were pretty good. I would not recommend eating these early on; say less than 6 months. But if you are going to be hitting the gym hard or working outside all day, a calorie dense Protein + carb meal like these actually make a lot of sense. Oh, I also use sugar free syrup. Not for any other reason than I prefer to it to the real stuff. Real maple syrup is just too potent for me!

I am intrigued by this, I am going to make it tonight and see how it turns out. Thanks for posting this!

I had banana's pretty early in my recovery, but I am thinking maybe 1/4 at a time. They are incredibly nutritious but as mentioned they are high carbs. If at a later time you become a workout fanatic like some, you will find them an excellent pre-workout food. If you are just missing the flavor, I heartily recommend Gold Standard banana Creme Protein powder: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/optimum-nutrition-100-whey-gold-standard-banana-cream-2-lb-powder/op-1048 I usually do a half scoop of this and a half scoop of my Peanut Butter Protein powder (NOT PB2!). It also goes well with the chocolate powders. As a side note, if you have a Vitamin Shoppe store near you I recommend you shop there while you are discovering protein powders. It took me forever to find Gold Standard (my fav) and they will let you buy those giant tubs and bring them back if you can't stand them. I have taken back several that I found to be awful and received full in store credit. I may pay a dollar or two more inside the store, but their knowledgeable staff, return policy, and customer service totally make it worth going there in my opinion.

Oh I know exactly what it was. I have eaten far more than that before with no ill effects. These were breaded and fried. So they held more of the fat from the fryer. Fat is not always bad of course, Peanut Butter and avocado being just two fats that are not bad that come to mind. My wife has had fried chicken with no ill effects, but I will not risk it again that is for damn sure. It's going to be unique to the individual. So far fried chicken and real ham (not lunchmeat) are the only things that I really miss from before surgery. I don't miss the Pasta and potatoes like I thought I would. But the chicken and ham? That hurts!

Pfft, I'm a stupid male that can't accept defeat. No matter how badly I would pay for it, I'd win the contest! In all seriousness though, my limit is 300K scoville. That's getting to the additive level. Habenero, Ghost peppers and everything like that though is my candy. You say Mexitalian I think jalapenos and crushed red peppers. Pfft.

@@Seagull - Can't speak for Lipstick, but I can tolerate the hottest hot sauce at any restaurant no problem. It's only the fried breading that is the problem.

I agree, I still kinda smirk when I look at my plates now. "So this is how you are supposed to eat?" I felt nauseous for at least 30 minutes. Then the "ugh... I just want to lay down" for about another 1.5 hours. Now that I think about it, thats how I used to feel all the time! Man, my food really was killing me back then.

Sorry if you think that was rude, I was not trying. I seriously thought you were making a joke post. There are a slew of topics going on right now about inappropriate foods right after surgery. I thought this might have been posted in satire. Back to your question though. Sure, you can eat those candies. Yes your stomach will eventually be able to tolerate the chewy gummy sticky sugary crap. It will also be able to tolerate fatty meats and starchy carbs. But the question you should be asking is why would you want those things after enduring everything up to this point? Also, is this a question you would be comfortable asking your surgeon? I'll not bother you again, so best of luck.

Color me surprised! cheese curds are not always fried but yes these were. And the wings were breaded. It was awful. Just never going to happen again!

lol, are you serious? I honestly am curious if this is a prank topic. I can't think of anything that would cause dumping faster than those particular candies. If you are seriously asking, sorry I can't help you. If you are pranking, good one!

I think that should be the big take away. Even after a year and a half, I am still learning.

It was a beautiful (albeit hot) day today and after I got my 6 miles in for the day, I decided to take my daughters up to a local wing festival. Needless to say the place was so incredibly packed that I did not stay! We ended up just going to BW3's. I haven't been to one of these places for a long time. I didn't order anything except an unsweetened ice tea. My girls however had the fried cheese curds and some hot boneless wings. The food actually smelled really good, and I figured since I had over 25 miles on the elliptical this week that it wouldn't be too bad if I tried some of it. I had a few curds and 6 small chicken chunks. By the time we left the restaurant, I was full on nauseous. I mean serious drool and green pallor and everything. It wasn't dumping, I know that one. This was just food that doesn't like me. I looked up the nutrition on the BW3's website and I had well over 600 calories in that totally unsatisfying meal. I remember my record. I once ate 42 wings. I literally am disgusted at that thought and I swear, I am never going to eat that crap again. This is one of the few instances where you can never go home and thank goodness for that! So whats my rant? My rant is that I was stupid enough to eat something I know is not a part of my plan and all week long we have been talking about eating poorly. However I will say straight out that at a year and half out I am not in danger. So if any newbie sees this, take heart. Even us veterans can be stupid.

I'm going to lump myself into the vet category since I am over a year out and surpassed goal. I think one thing that has not been mentioned is that as vets is that it is not our place to save anyone. We should strive to comment dispassionately on things that are known to be wrong. I'm here for me. If I help people along the way, mores the better. If someone is self destructive, let them fail. Let them be the example to the others that don't want to listen to reason, wisdom, and experience. Yeah, I know. I'm the @sshole.

Yeah, I'm an animal alright. I'm like a pumped up and pissed off tortoise! I make slow progress, but I'll get there eventually. I had the sleeve, so I cannot give you my experience as testament. If you are looking to build muscle, it may be more difficult than it is for me but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. You must continue to think long term. 5 years down the road where will you be instead of in 6 months I want bulging biceps. If all you want it to keep your current level of strength, sure you'll be able to do that after the first 6 months. You will lose muscle mass in the beginning. It is unavoidable, but it isn't gone forever. Follow the plan and stay determined and you can accomplish great things.

First off, congrats on the weight loss and good on you for the hard work; You look incredible! Second, I completely know what you are talking about when looking in the mirror. I don't see me at the starting weight reflected back, but I keep thinking there is someone else looking back. Like perhaps they are just in front of my reflection! It's not just the mirror either. Even when referring to myself in conversation I still describe myself as a fat guy or big guy. People that don't know me for very long have a confused look on their face. It just takes time I believe. I am becoming more comfortable everyday though!

According to my surgeon, the honeymoon phase is typically the first year. Typically within that time frame your caloric intake is so drastically reduced that it doesn't really matter if you are eating well or poorly, you are still going to lose weight. (Naturally ones results will be better if eating well and following the plan remain consistent) Know the adage, "Time heals all wounds"? Well like any scar, the sleeve continues healing and becomes more pliable as time goes by. And before anyone jumps my @ss, no... I am not saying you can stretch your stomach. You can weaken the pylorus and force food through it but you won't be able to stretch a properly made sleeve. Also, as we get further out from that first year, old habits can return and people can eat around their sleeve or bypass. So to re-cap, the honeymoon phase is when the weightloss is easiest. Maintenance phase is going to be tough, just as tough as life before the sleeve. Best of luck to you.

My normal gym has the weight room closed for remodeling so I have taken a break from weight lifting and started focusing on cardio. Averaging about 8 miles on my lunch hour. I usually leave the cardio room looking like this: The good news is that with the extra cardio I've been doing, I'm down to a size medium shirt... It sounds weird even typing that. I'm even in a size medium underwear, but I shall spare you all those pictures! Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

@ - you forgot the mic drop at the end. lol, in all seriousness though - I was reading your post and I had to keep checking if it was something I had typed out. You and I appear to have the same mindset and think alike. Well, rather, when I was in your position and in regards to WLS. No, you may not be popular in the beginning. Neither was I. Matter of fact, I was called a bully, asshole, jerk... and some other choice words. I love the fact that many of those people are no longer on the forum. Some washed out early while others moved on to bigger and better personal disasters. So while you may not be popular with many, I think you may be my new buddy.

What do you get when you cross flatulence and Peanut Butter? A fart that sticks to the roof of your ass! Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

http://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&section=search&do=search&fromsearch=1 Short answer - ask your surgeon. Long answer, read the above threads.

@@OKCPirate - I never used the bands, but I have seen people do it. I also tried the assisted pull-up machine, but it was just was too easy or no help at all - no perfect medium. So I just resorted to negatives and choosing back exercises to strengthen the supportive muscles. For those not familiar with negatives, basically you drag a bench up to the pull-up/chin-up bar; stand up on the bench and grab the bar in your preferred method. Jump up so that your chin is above the bar and just hold on as long as you can. Don't let go though as you weaken, let yourself start coming down as slow as you can stand it. Rest however long you need and repeat.

@@BigTink2LilTink - big news today man! 2, count them, 2 honest to goodness wide grip chin ups with palm facing away! It's a brave new world people.

Kicking ass Tink!

I like to think of myself as a pretty grounded guy, not actually vain about my appearance; however more and more lately I have found myself identifying with the people that have had skin removal. I have worked really hard and I believe I have some pretty good muscle development, but I can't see a lot of it because of the excess skin. On top of that, I am getting ingrown hairs, rashes, and these strange... hickey type marks. I don't know how to describe them, but when the skin gets folded while I am sleeping I wake up with long red lines all over me torso. I hope your procedure goes smoothly and I can't wait to see the results as I am truly curious.