To vote for me! I am one of 6 finalists for a free Lap-Band WLS Bariatric surgery. I am a big dude, hence the name, and I need this. I know some think WLS is the "easy way" but I didn't get fat the easy way. I have been well overwieght 22 of my 22 years. You gotta vote 2x, onece for each group, please choose whoever you want for the second group and then pick me for my group! Vote for me @ Palms of Pasadena Lap-Band Contest (http://www.obesitynomorefl.com/contest.php)

TYVM in advance everyone.
http://www.obesitynomorefl.com/images/contest/michaelf_full.jpg

I voted 4 U:D

Thank you!

I also voted for ya! Hope all goes well

got my vote bud. i hope it happens for ya mike, i try to never judge anyone by looks, and within 2 minutes of you being at my shop for the first time i knew under the skin you are a funny bastard. i had a very good friend who used to come to my shop all the time, jeff, he lived in lutz and had a mark VIII. he was over 400 lbs for a long time and a severe diabetic and finally got gastric bypass, he was an awesome guy and i always felt bad for him, being so heavy, weak, winded, the last time i talked to him he was down to 200 lbs, not taking any diabetes medicine at all anymore, walking easily, and even wore a suit to his daughters wedding, he lives in tennessee now, man what an awesome change in his life, you need this, because if you dont, i hate to say you will not live a long life, and at 22 you really need to live alot longer, you are still a kid. i really hope it works out for you, it will turn your life around 180 degrees. good luck man, i'm pulling for ya.

I voted for you, i know what's it's like to be overweight.

voted, good luck.

Voted for you, good luck bro!

Is your issue genetic or metabolic or personal habits? I know with genetics that this may not be the cure you are looking for. I have had a relative that went thru that and ending up gaining again due to the metabolic gene design would still produce artery build up and cholesterol, and diabetes. So I know how hard it can be.

I myself have a bad cholesterol ct of 305, TRIG is 228, and HDLC is only 32. I have nothing going for me in that area, I have been pre-diabetic for almost 2 yrs now, and I take a crap load of medications to try and lower and control this. Mine is genetic, so control is hard as my internal make-up is genetic. I run alot and try to lead a active live as much as possible.

Just thought I would share with ya and wish all the luck and success in this venture for you.

You got my vote Mike.
Hope you win.
If you do, I hope you keep us posted on your progress.
Bob.

Is your issue genetic or metabolic or personal habits? I know with genetics that this may not be the cure you are looking for. I have had a relative that went thru that and ending up gaining again due to the metabolic gene design would still produce artery build up and cholesterol, and diabetes. So I know how hard it can be.

I myself have a bad cholesterol ct of 305, TRIG is 228, and HDLC is only 32. I have nothing going for me in that area, I have been pre-diabetic for almost 2 yrs now, and I take a crap load of medications to try and lower and control this. Mine is genetic, so control is hard as my internal make-up is genetic. I run alot and try to lead a active live as much as possible.

Just thought I would share with ya and wish all the luck and success in this venture for you.

To be 100% honest, it's a mix of being raised with bad habits health wise, getting fatter from being on meds when I went through puberty for some mental health issues and now as an adult I have given up over the last few years.


To Jamie and everyone: Thank you for the support.

I have been 2x my normal weight or more for all my life from 18months and up. Genetic or not, if I lost alot, I'd turn into a health nut and keep it off. I am a dedicated guy, I'm not disabled by my size or attitude I'm strong and can work my ass off all day when I need to. I've had enough. I want to change I'm finishing up my Associate's degree and I want a whole change, mental and physical. You guys being such a great group could make this happen. Tell everyone you know if you can. EVERY person who votes has my most sincere thanks.

Voted for ya hope all goes well, I was once overweight as well Good luck!

Well as we spoke earlier, keep us informed and my prayers are with you. A strong mind can overcome just about anything.

Will do I cannot thank everyone enough!

Well let me rephrase, I strong mind can overcome just about anything! Except a naked women :eek:

I voted for you also.

I voted too!

you got it

voted for ya

I voted for you Mike. Good luck.

All of you guys are awesome! Thank you all so much.

got my vote. :D

Much appreciated. Thank you.

I sent a vote your way too.

youve got my vote

Yep, got my vote too!

Got mine as well Mike.

You got my vote. Hope all goes well

man look at all this!!!!! this is the stuff on here that makes me happy, everyone doing something so easy and simple, could make the biggest change of someones life, awesome!

Voted :D GL buddy

You got my vote.
I was luck anuff for the insurance to cover my gastric bypass. Lost about 200lbs and feeling good :D:D

the LS guys are voting too mike, i put a link in their section to help ya too!

I looked into that a couple of years ago, so I have an idea of what's involved. You got my vote; best of luck!

voted, gl!

Got my vote, being over-weight myself I certainly don't mind trying to help you out bud. Good luck.

I voted for u dude!!! I kow obesity first hand. I too am severely overweight & the ironic thing about it is that my wife is the Bariatrics Coordinator at Mercy Hospital in Miami. GOOD LUCK MAN!

Man you guys are all awesome, thanks for all of the votes! This support makes me feel all warm and squishy without even getting drunka nd peeing myself! jk but still! You guys rock! :cool:

Got my vote

Thanks alot Everyone, I feel redundant with three threads, but I think that properly reaches everyone here for various reasons, and it also expresses how much I appreciate you all being here for me. Thank you, three times over, is truly how I feel.

voted

Thanks!

I just voted. Good luck Mike!

voted

Voted for you too dude!!

Thanks guys. Now I just have to jog to Tulsa and steal that Midnight Gray Mark with those black saleens.

Bump! Still lots of voting time. It's quick and easy. Just click the sig link. Thanks!

Bump! Still lots of voting time. It's quick and easy. Just click the sig link. Thanks!

I voted at least 5 times from different computer and phones.

Very awesome Thank you.

Got your back here Mike.I even voted for the redhead for ya.Just incase you need someone to celebrate with you can show her what Big Mike is all about. ;)

Thank you my friend. I appreciate it.

But as for Ashley Rhodes-Courter... Yeah, she will probably win anyway, on her side of the competition. She's a best selling suthor with 3 books and has been all over the world and in magazines. I am glad I am not competing against her, but she's not too shabby in looks. ;) http://www.rhodes-courter.com/

Just voted 11 or 12 more times if they count.Wish they would show who is ahead of the voting.

Thanks guys. Now I just have to jog to Tulsa and steal that Midnight Gray Mark with those black saleens.
Now if you did that.You could take out a Ethiopian in a marathon a week later.

voted:)

Ron

Just voted 11 or 12 more times if they count.Wish they would show who is ahead of the voting.


Now if you did that.You could take out a Ethiopian in a marathon a week later.

If you voted 12 times and they were all on different computers at different locations, yes, they count. If you did it at one place, nope, they will get deleted.

I am going to be jogging/running daily once I am thin enough to do so without lots of foot pain, until then, I will be Biking ASAP when I can afford to find one I like in May, swimming until then.

Well than that sucks.I did give it a try though.

Run,bike,swim or box do anything to stay in shape is what say.

Bump for more voters who didn't see this yet!

Voted for ya. Go for it man, my friend's mother, and his Girlfriend had the lap band and they lost a whole lot of weight. Another friend's dad had it done, same deal. Hope you get your chance at it.

Nothing personal but I don’t think I can vote for you, I just can’t support surgery as a weight loss solution. Unless there is an immediate health risk (i.e. weeks to live) diet and exercise are the best solution. It's not easy at all but it has to be a life style change not an incision. I do wish you the best of luck though!

Voted for ya buddy! good luck

If this doesen't work out for ya, you should look into having your jaw wired shut. Orthodontists perform the procedure after a checkup from your doctor and an OK to have it done. From what I read, the typical weight loss is about 2 pounds a week. They put you on a healthy liquid diet, All food is probably gonna taste like shi*t, so there might be less motivation to try and blend steak and drink it.

Nothing personal but I don’t think I can vote for you, I just can’t support surgery as a weight loss solution. Unless there is an immediate health risk (i.e. weeks to live) diet and exercise are the best solution. It's not easy at all but it has to be a life style change not an incision. I do wish you the best of luck though!
I can't agree with you on this more.I have always and will always tell someone to exercise and not so much diet but eat healthier and do not snack.

The biggest problem I have with most people that do these surgery's like the lap-band is they don't follow up with any of the basic exercising and meal control.

But,I am still one to give a person a chance at doing something and giving them that hope and will at giving themselves the drive they need.It just all depends on that persons own mental drive.And right now it looks like Big Mike has got that drive.

Do it,To it Big Mike. :headbang:

Nothing personal but I don’t think I can vote for you, I just can’t support surgery as a weight loss solution. Unless there is an immediate health risk (i.e. weeks to live) diet and exercise are the best solution. It's not easy at all but it has to be a life style change not an incision. I do wish you the best of luck though!

Diet and exercize.... Great, and I appreciate the luck.

I have attested that I am willing and ready to adopt healthful habits. I really need to lose some weight before I can do lots of long lasting activity, not that I can't live a normal day, but I can't walk an hour and then do so, because of the pain. The lap-band is not going to make me drop weight, nor will any incision, but it will help me learn portion control and help me become accustomed to a healthy eating schedule, then thereafter it will serve as a reminder of this.

I don't "need" WLS, like a cancer treatment, I "need" it in that it will help me get to where I want to be as quickly as possible, and I do need that, in order to be successful in life as soon as I can. If those who blanket disapprove of WLS would learn about the methods available and how they work thay may start to have a more balanced opinion. Only malabsorption methods allow people to lose wight even if they eat like hogs, Lap-Bands are a restriction tool to help big people feel more comfortable while they diet and exercise.

Since you do, however, feel that urge to serve blanket judgements, then perhaps I ought to join you and use your mentality to come to the conclusion. In order to follow your sense of reason we should walk where we need to go because taking the hard way is always best, right? So, when ya gonna sell your Mark? When reasonable people want to accomplish something we will take the fastest possible route, without cutting corners, to the destination, being fat doesn't make me a retarded food chugging machine.

I know what I need to do, the last 22 years made me who I am, and although I did not realize what I did over the years, I made me what I am. I want your votes not to get an easy way out, but because I want a tool to use to help do the job.

You just made me smile Mike.

retarded food chugging machine...lol

Hope you win.

Thanks guys. Now I just have to jog to Tulsa and steal that Midnight Gray Mark with those black saleens.

You jog down here without stopping it yours!! Good Luck man, hope you win!

Thanks for the support guys.

I hope my previous post wasn't too abrasive. I was hoping for somewhere between one ply toilet tissue and the back of a kitchen sponge, we shall see.

Meh, just my opinion on cosmetic surgery. Wasn’t meant to be personal. Hence the Nothing personal... part. Whatever makes you happy, cut away.

Well, when it comes down to you being the only person who had to leave your mark (in urine perhaps) on my thread, specifically for getting votes, just to say you wouldn't be part of it, it becomes personal. You are the only person here who has been negative. Perhaps you never learned that if you have nothing productive for a thread don't bother posting. If it was a debate thread, or a "should I do this" type thing, yeah, but it's not. I KNOW what I want, this whole thread has been full of two things in equal measure: votes and positive comments. You decided to change the concept with a non-personal comment in a very personal thread so you got a response. If this was everyone's tone I'd have left it alone, but someone always has to be negative when they put in thier $.02, and you can keep it FWIW. (nothing)

I will cut away if I win, 5 small thumb length incisions... band aids, oh no!

What's FWIW?

for what its worth

lol i am a retarded food chugging machine mike, whats wrong with me??? or is it retarded machine chugging food? oh the hell with it lol.

IDK, it's whatever I needed it to be at the time... lol

Voted - good luck!

Thanks buddy!

Oh, ok. Good luck mike.

Thanks, no hard feelings.

Last day to vote! Go to the site and get one in for me last second guys!

How did it go Big Mike?

Did you take it at the finish line?

how did it go big mike?

Did you take it at the finish line?

+1

The winners will be announced soon! Please check back on or around April 5, 2011.

Ass dragging... Still.... I will tell everyone ASAP.

Congradulations Mike!

Thank you! I probably should have linked my voting threads to my thank you thread.... lol

Anyway, I did win, I am shocked and thrilled, go here for details: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=73768