TonyBia

Red hair can be a predicter of certain things. For instance it is generally thought that a red haired person has a higher pain threshold. This point was actually tested by inflicting pain in various degrees and the natural red heads went the highest consistantly. Body systems are often linked with certain physical traits and we generally don't think of it as that way.

Paula, A trick I have found for bingeing is to have only good things for me around and allow myself to eat as much stuff,but it has to be the good stuff. Some things I include are beef Jerky and links, nuts,refried Beans with salsa on corn chips, turkey or chicken luncheon meats with cheese. By filling up on Protein based Snacks you don't get alot of calories, it takes longer for you to digest it and you won't feel as much regret the day after. I have been able to satiate my binges this way. Of course there is the rare days that I really don't care-i'm feeling stressed- and want to eat the world. I allow myself some of those days and just regroup after my temporary loss of sanity. Anyways know that the boat you are in is no tugboat but more like a oceanic cruiser. T

Well if it is any consolation, I would of belted the guy for you...... then belted him again for me...... Then maybe kicked him to drive home the point. T

The type of needle that needs to be used is a non-coring needle. This needle does not remove any of the membrane when inserted into the port. A regular (coring) needle will- and has caused ports to leak and become ruined-resulting in port replacement as that is the only solution once ruined. Yes that means surgery again. A coring needle (more common in general use) actually will remove a section of the port with its use and leave a larger hole in the membrane. A non-coring needle (in simple terms) forms a much smaller hole initially and then just pushes or stretches the hole bigger- leaving a smaller entry into the membrane that it can then seal up itself again. There are several brands of needles that can be used- the ones from Inamed are very expensive and that is why several doctors are using other brand ones-which appears to be fine as long as they are correct type of needle. Any doctor using an incorrect needle should have to pay to have the port replaced for their patients-if the usage was because of using the incorrect type of needle, and not some mismanufacturing problem. A good doctor will examine the needle prior to usage to make sure it is nice and sharp and is of the correct design prior to usage-especially in a needle sensitive port. The design differences are readily visible to someone knowing the difference in coring and non-coring needles. T

Vinesqueen, I have had low thyroid for years. Unfortunately the medicines make me have terrible headaches when I take them -so for 2 years I endured taking them (all the various brands) and was up to the maximum dosages without any visible improvements. I stopped taking them several years ago due to the headaches. So I have been a slow loser as well. But after much thinking on your subject I came up with an idea you should at least check into--allergies---food or environmental.. Please don't just pass over this idea as a quack idea as I have known several heavy people that have had these allergies and because they have kept their body in a state of complete agitation and inflammation-several other bodily functions have suffered as well. There are complete blood tests for this type of allergy testing and a good doctor can interpret the results in a way to help you identify and then eliminate the causes from your life. Another idea is that you may have toxic buildup within your body-either heavy metals or environmental. These are stored in the fatty tissue of the body and your body WILL NOT allow the fat to be used if it will result in the toxic substance becoming blood borne again. It is a defence issue and a way your body protects itself. I am not knowledgable about testing in this matter but do know there are a few test that may help identify some of the toxins if they are present in large quantities in your body. Also some of the alternative doctors are more knowledgable about this type of problem and can use some herbal preparations to aid in the toxin removal and thereby fat removal. Anyway I just thought I would throw that out to you. Tony

I am a guy also, but what I have noticed is that alot of the guys do not post often. I post from time to time but come to the bb a few times a week. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but that is what I have found for the most part. See ya around! Tony

I know I am going to get a lot of flat for stating this-because I did get some before, but I find myself very different in loosing weight from mosts experiences. I did not loose weight unless I starved myself. Every week I ate at the 1200 level I gained or maintained. I have a sedintary job with lots of hours so my exercise level is low to medium on the weekends when I chase my 2 daughters around and clean up after them. With my last fill several months ago I lost alot of my feeling of being hungry. Now with that said-- For years and years I abused my body to get to the weight I was- and no one was scolding my. I weighed around 445 pre banding at 6'1" tall with a broad body frame--perfect football player frame. For me what has worked is to eat one meal a day--yet call me crazy- but one meal a day to stomach satisfaction is what keeps me going. I am not hungry threw out the day and usually eat my meal at 4-6 pm. By eating one filling meal I think my body sees what it is getting and does not lock up my weight. With this eating routine, I do not get hungry during the day and function fine. By my urine,I can tell my body is metabolizing my fat. I also am taking food derived Vitamin liquids to help ensure my body has its nutrients. Following this unorthodox method of loosing weight I am loosing 3-4 pounds a week. Yes it is a bit high but after weeks of plateus and of frustration I am happy with what I am doing. Do I recommend it for others--no--that would be irresponsible of me- after all what I am suggesting flies in the face of reason and what is acceptable standards. All I can do it tell you of what I found that worked for me. What I am explaining can also cause certain pesonality types to develop other eating disorders-however I do not have that type of personality and do not face those ghosts. Once I have gotten enough weight off where I am closer to my ideal weight then I will modify my eating slowly to one of more moderation and in line with "accepted standards". Of course if I was to loose my feeling of saiety with my band, my eating my change sooner. I also noticed that if I ate the same amount of calories in three meals a day verses the one meal a day I feel alot more hungrier threw out the day. When I went for the first time with a one meal day--because of necessity--worked threw my meals- the next morning I was not hungry- and lunch was a breeze too, so I just ate in the evening again--and again and again. That week I noticed my close were falling off me..... Holy cow!! Today I have no clothes to wear and have to put on shorts and then pants on for a chance that they will stay up-till I can get some more. By the way I have a very slow thyriod but cannot take the medicine because it gives me terrible headaches. Like I said- I am not recommending anyone do what I am doing-but just that people are different and what works for some might not work for others. In my mind I always remember- If you keep doing the same things and are expecting different results- then you aren't as smart as you look. T

Hello all, I have recently undergone a total transformation regarding appetite and the inborn urge to eat. Before my life revolved around it--each minute was consumed with when I was going to eat again and what it was and how much longer before I do it. I would always have to tell myself,while eating, to slow down,don't eat so much, stop eating now--your definately going to gain weight now with what you ate. However for the last 3 weeks or so I have come across a phenomena that I am having a hard time understanding. If I skip Breakfast, I rarely get hungry for the rest of the day and usually wind up eating one meal a day at around 4-6 p.m. I know part of this is because I am tighter in the morning and at lunch I have gotten tired of "fighting" with the band in trying to get food down, and I am getting bored with alot of the "soft" fast foods available at the restaurants-having repeated them over and over again. I have also noticed that if I am totally busy with things like work or study that I can go the entire time without thinking about food or eating. I have noticed that if I do eat in the morning that I will get hungry at lunch time and have more hunger at that time also. So far I have been keeping the one meal a day schedule and am hoping that I don't stop loosing because of it. The meal I do eat is a large bandster meal- but alot smaller than pre-banding- for example I splurged 2 days ago and for my only meal for the day I had 4-5 chicken nuggets and 5 potatoe skins with bacon and cheese on top. The 5 skins were actually half skins or half boats--triangle shaped if follow what I am describing. That was it. Last night I had chips and salsa, a refried bean burrito, a cheese enchalada (small tortila with cheese in it-nothing else), and a tostada-again refried Beans with lettuce and sour cream and tomato on it. Those meals fill me totally up and seem to last me for about 24 hours when I eat again. Anyways the whole reason for this post is to see if anyone else has experienced dramatic hunger loss (many have) but have also taken up eating less meals in a day? By the way I have only had 2 fills and about 3 cc of fills. Thanks, T

It sounds like you are on the other end of what I have been going thru. It takes time for people to grow apart and it will take effort and time to grow back together. In my case my ex did not want to spend the effort. She decided to cut and run. The decision is a painful one- either you have to confront the situation and identify the problem areas as both parties see it or decide that the situation is irrepairable and try to work out a an equitable split. With children the decision becomes even harder. I would of lived in a loveless marriage for another 16 years if it would of helped my children with the pain I see in there eyes of seeing their two most loved influences of there lives separated. But that choice was not given to me so I am now having to live with my new situation. My heart breaks for my children as I never wanted this to happen to them. And honestly--that is the most heartbreaking event from this whole separation ordeal--not being able to take the pain away from the children. After this ordeal, I find myself being alot more alone than I am used to, as before this split, my life was my family and I did not cultivate many friendships outside of the family. Now I am finding it challenging to try and develop new friendships and try and fill some of that void up. This divorce thing also was a big blow to my self-esteem. But I picked up the pieces of what was left and decided I would make it better,I would be better and I would be stronger and more caring and a person someone would love to be around. To do that I started with myself and making myself look better. The band was a first step on a long journey of self realization, determining ones self worth, and improving my self esteem. I think often times as we (overweight people) gain weight, we do so because of emotional problems. Often times we are sensitive indiviuals that use eating as a coping mechanism, whether it is to avoid confrontation, overcome feelings of depression, low self-esteem or lack of a sense of accomplishment. Then I think as we no longer have that coping mechanism of eating- as the band takes over- we are faced with the problems we once avoided- and have to deal with them or sadly form some new coping mechanism. I think the majority here, have had enough of coping mechanisms, are tired of problems and choose to face the problems as they continue to loose weight. I think coming to a point of deciding surgery is necessary for weight loss is telling of a person and where they are emotionally and mentally. They have decided it is time to take charge of there lives and face their demons. Things done the old way are out and problems will be dealt with instead of just coped with. So if a person had a shaky relationship before banding-then they are going to go thru a decision making process. They are going to first of all decide what role do they play in the relationship, if it fits with their new style of getting things done, and is the relationship going to survive this transformation of character. Unfortunately this decision making process involves two people and sometimes the other person doesn't like the role change of the newly banded person. It upsets the family dynamics and if on shaky ground can cause the other mate to decide it time to cut and run. Or conversely, if the other mate is understanding and willing to compromise, the relationship can be rebuilt and repaired with even better building blocks. But all of this takes open communication and time--time to search your feelings and time to let the other person do the same. It can often be painful to see a person you have known for years change in front of your eyes- leaving doubt and uncertainty in the non-banded persons mind. These doubts have to be addressed or the problems will just worsen with time. No answer is the right answer for every person. And what might seem right now-may not seem right in a few months. The way I look at it is that when you get a band-- you are a catapillar that has gone into a cocoon. The weight loss period is the cocoon period. This is when a person changes-emotionally,physically, mentally. During this time they are relearning themselves-there likes, dislikes and what they want to do with their lives. Decisions during this time are often difficult as with the changes in body often the mental changes are less likely to be "seen" by the person doing them. After a person becomes adjusted to there new bodies and have allowed there new esteem to be resolved then they are on a better foothold to make more long term decisions in life. The band is tool for weight loss,but I think also a tool for resolving emotional and mental issues as well. Unfortunately relationship issues are often part of that "issues" that need resolving. Sorry for rambling--but maybe this line of thought might be helpful to someone. T

I am a signature away from being divorced-just waiting on the lawyers. For me it was was my ex's decision - after 12 years of marriage she decided that I wasn't what she wanted. At this point in my life was when I decided I needed to do something. I got the band during the separation, and haven't looked back since. For years I worked my butt off allowing her to be a stay at home mom, making sure that every need or want she or my daughters had was taken care off--plus . I didn't take time for myself and after years it showed. My health was suffering (I worked 50-70 hours weeks for months at a time), I was no longer living for myself but for my family--which is fine to a certain extent, but in my case it lead to a wife that took things for granted and left me without a partner in life. So after 13 years of what in my mind was emotional and physical investing for a great return later in life, it turned out to be a black Monday in Wallstreet terms. After coming home to a house stripped clean with a note left saying not to look for her, I decided that my life was going to change. I was going to do things I wanted to do and enjoy myself some. And to do that I needed to loose weight and become healthier and more active. As I loose weight, in my mind, I hope that she regrets her decision, but I know that it will not change the situation I am in. She is finished with me and me with her, but I am now planning on a new future--one with hope, one with excitement, and one with a lean mean bod. Realistically, I will never be an Arnold or a Stallone, but I hope to be over self esteem issues and find someone that loves me for who I am, not for how much I earn or what I look like or how large my house is. Right now I am concentrating on my daughters--(9 and 2) and miss seeing them daily as I did before--stupid child visitation rules and all. The band has helped alot as the emotional rollercoaster ride takes it toll in eating habits, and has allowed me to consistantly loose weight. I have always been a confident and positive person, but lacked social skills to some extent due to my self esteem issues. As time goes on I hope the band and my continued weight loss will help with those problems as well. So there you have it--one persons story of love lost and a friend gained. T

My poison of choice was Regular Coke. After surgery I gave it up. But what I also did was buy a 12 pack of Coke and put it in the fridge. Yes in my fridge. Why? Because I am showing it I am stronger then it, it just sits there and I am the one with the power to either drink it or not. The 12 pack is still there and knowing it is there and for the taking makes me stronger in resisting it. Also when I think back about how long I have been off of it, it strengthens my resolve. Also after a few months of being off of it-I have totally lost all desire to drink it. So now the 12 pack is more of a trophy of Victory then anything else. I wonder how long those cans will still be good for? Maybe I should get a new 12 pack and give those cans of poison out with the next visitors? T

Checking in now....Hard to see any guys in here with this estrogen fog that lingers around..lol. I am here every week but my work takes me away from home alot so I am usually on here on the weekends.

I was just curious if anyone had a colonic and what their experience was with it? It would seem that after years of bad eating and finally eating less and more healthy that all that "bad" stuff stuck in the system would be great to get out. I was just wondering if the hype some sites seems to talk about is really there or will it be a disappointment. I read somewhere where one person lost like 40 pounds of stuff after several colonics. I hope I don't have that much stuff backed up but nevertheless I do wonder. So what have been your experiences with colonics? T

Lisa, Don't forget about us guys either! I am soon to be divorced after 12 years of marriage, and do you want to talk about rusty. Back in the day I was swelt, debonaire, and charming. Today I have a hard time even spelling those words..lol. Back then I married "in my ranking". Today my ex is probably at least a few numbers higher. Talk about depressing..... Let alone the thought of having to start this process all over again. But I am only 34 and still have the hopes and desires of meeting that one special someone. Kind of crushing when you thought you had them and then they change over the years. So anyways do these pheremones come with blindfolds? Or are they just rose colored glasses variety? T

When you say 400 pound bandster- do you mean currently or at banding time? You see I was 443 when banded and I think (haven't found a scale big enough) that I am under 400 now. Last weigh-in at the docs I was around 410 and (that was 2 months ago) and my clothes are fitting looser and loose and having to get new clothes because the others are just to huge. So I hope to surprise myself at my next doc appt with a huge loss and kiss the 400's goodbye--forever. Some other things I have noticed is that my skin is sagging alot all over. What once appeared tight and taught skin is now saggy and is making me wonder how much of this saggy will be permanent. Given time I am hoping that my skin will catch up with my new body size and shrink some. I think is has already some as my skin appears to be tighter some days verses others. Things like cleaning up after using the toilet are so much easier and have gotten back into the realm of not even having to think about doing it. Tieing shoes,putting on clothes, bending over, getting up are all so much easier. With an estimated loss of 50 pounds, I haven't gotten any accolades from friends or family, but I did hide my weight well and probably am hiding my loss well too-being a very big framed guy 6'1" with really wide shoulders. But I do know that I am wearing a 2 size smaller suit jacket comfortably, a 4 size smaller pants, and a 2 size smaller dress shirt comfortably. The dress shirt tells me that I have lost over 2" just on my neck as I was using a 22" neck tightly and am now in a 20" comfortably. So there are signs of loss all around me. Hope this helps, Tony

It sounds a bit off but this is one interesting quote I found. "Others are engaging even in an eco-type of terrorism whereby they can alter the climate, set off earthquakes, volcanoes remotely through the use of electromagnetic waves. So there are plenty of ingenious minds out there that are at work finding ways in which they can wreak terror upon other nations.It's real, and that's the reason why we have to intensify our efforts, and that's why this is so important." [secretary of Defense William Cohen at an April 1997 counterterrorism conference sponsored by former Senator Sam Nunn. Quoted from DoD News Briefing, Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, Q&A at the Conference on Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and U.S. Strategy, University of Georgia , Athens , Apr. 28, 1997]. Maybe he does know a bit more then we do?

After I had my surgery I too was surprised that I did not get shaved as well. I think it comes down to doctor preference. I too am pretty hairy, though not as gifted as you..lol. T

A good flavorful brand of soy Protein is made by Shaklee. It is very bio-available after digestion and tastes great. Another thing you might not know is that soy protein (at least Shaklees) tends to help women more as it has phyto-hormones in it that actually help a woman (and to a certain extent men) with there own hormone balance. These phyto-hormones are natural plant hormones that are similar to the bodies and can help women going thru the time of life change. For others it helps with cravings (and moodiness) during certain times of the month. For myself I use a mix of the soy and the whey, as I don't want to become lactose intolerant by the use of large amounts of whey taken regularly. In a study I read it stated that most americans are protein deficient and that the soy protein was the type that raised the cellular level of usable protein the most in a given time period. I don't work for Shaklee and actually hate the MLM type of selling but some of there products are TOPS for what they are. Tony