*Dean*

No I didn't 3 posts after your question I answered it - I even included a recipe

We must've been typing at the same time - spooky!

The beef ribs were good, even though I could only eat about 1/4 of a rib! I rate the chia pudding. The fibre in it is unbelievable. Next time I'm going to leave the chocolate out and use coconut milk and some shredded coconut and have it with some mango slices, before the end of the season.

Nice. He'll have a great time down here. Let us know if there's a pod cast - I'd love to hear it! Deano

Don't stress. They've healed up fine, I'm sure it's nothing serious. You just want to get in ASAP because I'm sure it's driving you mad

You got me excited about ribs, so I did some beef ribs tonight. Same rub and sauce but I baste it with beer instead of apple juice. And you're right, one rack would do all of us, with take home leftovers. I love it. Will let you know what the chia pudding is like...... in about 3 hours! Deano

Ouch. Could it be some kind of allergic reaction? Maybe an antihistamine? Can't get into the docs sooner?

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!