Where are all the dudes?
I think we've all experienced the lack of men in the support groups. I go to two groups and in one I'm the only male. In my surgeons group there are maybe 5 males and all are around my age. Guess I'm lucky there.
)I know you are not too far from Houston, but Sean of OH has a men's only group that meets from time to time in the Houston area, but he will be the first to admit it has NOT been successful .. It seems that, not only are guys more "resistant" to having WLS (for the reasons mentioned in my earlier post), but even more resistant to doing the in-person support group thing .. (e.g. "we don't need no stinkin' support groups!"
) .. 
I don't know what the answer is .. or if there is one ..
Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
just found out bout this section of OH. been browsing other sections (general and MN forums) for a bit.
I have a blog I did just for posting stuff about WLS, with the slant of being from a dudes perspective. Actually, if there's any wanna-be-writers out there, looking for other dudes that wanna post something up once in a while. send me a message if you want more info.
Other than that... just realized I'm 4months post op today. RNY, down bout 85 since surgery, lost about 55 in the months leading up to it.
Oh, I'm in a small support group through my pych, only guy, but apparently there's another one looking to join.
Heaviest Weight: 380+ Day of Surgery: 322 3-Mo Post-Op: 249
6-Mo Post-Op: 215 9-Mo Post-Op: 200 Now: 198
Another new dude checking in. VSG Surgery in two weeks.
You pose a great question about why guys don't get WLS as much as women. I have a few theories.
First of all, guys don't go to the doctor like women do, at least not until we're in our 60s or so. The doctor/hospital is a place for women and children, not us tough guys.
Second, we have egos. We believe we can conquer all, that if we just applied ourselves, we could lose the weight. We just "choose" not to. Besides, men lose faster, right? That kind of rationalization + procrastination + stubbornness is huge. Basically, having surgery would be admitting that we can't do it ourselves.
Third ... well, WLS (not as much as plastic surgery, but close) is a "girl thing." It's a woman's vanity surgery. That's the negative self-talk crap that keeps guys away.
Lastly, eating is a huge part of American male culture. We like to eat, and in large amounts. The idea of changing my diet is like giving up sex -- that's how important food has become to me, living my life around what I get to eat next.
No more, though ... the liquid diet starts tomorrow!
