MEN - Shirts or Skins?

Hey Guys, Were you always overweight, or did obesity creep up on you before you knew it? And here's the real question- Were you one of those guys who felt comfortable Going in public without a shirt? Back when I swam, long ago, I did so in a tee shirt. I wasn't about to share my "man-breasts" with anyone. Also, no shorts for me. The last time I had anything that Could remotely be called a tan, I was in the Third Grade. As a result, my skin seems to be shrinking in pretty well. My Dr. said probably because it had kept its elasticity By not being overly exposed to the sun. What an understatement, Nuns show off more flesh than I ever did. Going into this surgery, The idea was that there would be One scar that would pretty much Hide out in my chest hair line down To my belly button. Now after my surgery/surgeries (profile) I have more scar tissue than some folks have skin. Looks like I'll never be one of those guys running Shirtless on the beach. But I will be able to run on the beach. The whole shirtless thing is one that I think only the guys Will understand, or women who go to "special" beaches. So where do you guys out there stand on this? Shirts or skins? Best Wishes- Dx

ahhhhhhhh I think you have to it at least once. he he Just to say you did it!! Even though I am a girl I think we worry more about it than you guys do. I think you should do it!!!! At least once. god Bless Tammy

Bless you Tammy, Perhaps at a Colony for the Blind, in the middle of the night, during a lunar eclipse? Best Wishes- Dx

LOl, but what a good time it would be. Tammy

Hey Dex! Good to hear from you and good to read this post! I haven't been without a shirt in public since I was probably 6 or 7 years old! I have never been comfortable to show my man breast either! I have an appointment on 9/20 to have them romoved finally! I can't wait till they are gone! I've lost 30 lbs. and they stick out farther than my tummy now! 30 lbs isn't a whole lot, but when you have gynocomastia (male breast), they do stick out! It's rather embarrasing! When I had my quad heart bypass in '98, I was cut down my breast bone and my breast caused me so much discomfort when I stood or lied down. I tried then to have them reduced, but my insurance turned me down of course. This time, they can't turn me down! So, I join you in the ranks of the shirts. With all of my scars from 9 major surgeries, I'll never be shirtless! I do wear shorts tho! Even tho I sport a leg brace, I wear 'em! Later dude! hehe Randall

Randall, I forgot that we shared the heart surgery. 5 months before my WLS, my Dr. found an abnormal sound from my heart and did an echocardiogram. Found out I had a faulty valve and was only getting 60% of The Blood I needed. It was a birth defect that had just never Been caught. And I always thought I was just lazy. Full open Heart and a new Teflon and Stainless Steel Aortic Valve later, And I was up and ticking like a clock. While they were in there, they decided to bypass on artery So they took one out of my left leg. That' a "big-Ole" Scar. After the WLS complications and the skin graft, I make Frankenstein Look like an "Oil of Olay Model." Great to hear that your losin' right away. It just gets easier. Best Wishes- Dx

Hi Dx, I have always been overweight for as long as I can remember. I have NEVER taken off my shirt in public. In fact I remember one time in P.E. in high school (every fat kids nightmare class) when they were playing basketball and I was picked for the skins team and I refused to play. Would rather take the detention than take my shirt off. So hopefully that answers your questions. Greg

Greg, Glad to know I just wasn't alone with that thought. Best Wishes- Dx

And Greg, You're only 12 days out. Take it easy at first, Best Wishes- Dx

Nope, won't do it-will not go shirtless in public!! I wouldn't even wear polo shirts or t-shirts outside my home until a year or so ago. Now I say PHHFT!! on what the world thinks, I wear polo's and tee's anywhere I go now. Never liked swimming due to the man boob thing, haven't been in a pool in almost 30 years or so(I'm 38),so you can see it's been a long time. I'm waiting on packet to be submitted to insurance,hopefully one day I'll be a real loser too. James