Do any guys ever post to this board??

Hey everyone. I'm a 51 y/o gay man just starting this process although it's been on my mind for a long time. I enjoy the postings that all the women have on this board and have been really inspired by your stories! Thank you. At the same time... there have to be gay guys out there who have been through this, right? Would like to make some connections with others. Would also be particularly interested in hearing from anybody in the SF bay area who has been through the UCSF program. Thanks, Steve

Hi Steve, Another guy here I am very happy being a member of the bear community, but I don't want to be this big. I consider myself a "Perpetual Pre-Op" because my insurance won't pay for the WLS. I have done all the preliminaries, now I'm fighting to get it covered. The battle continues. Stay tuned. Good Luck and keep posting! Big Bear Hugz, --==Rich==--

Hey Rich - thanks for responding. I, too, have been happy being part of the bear community for many years - that won't change - just might not be a "Big Bear" at the end of this. The "side effects" of carrying this weight are taking a toll that is really making life pretty miserable. Sorry to hear you're having this battle with your insurance company - having worked in that business for 20 years I know they can dig in their heels - stay the course. I don't think the insurance will be a problem for me. From everything I've read Blue Cross CA seems to pretty standardly approve the surgery but they make you do it their way - "thou shalt go to UCSF and UCSF only if you want it paid". So, UCSF it is.. I'm waiting on my PCP's referral letter to complete my "application" to UCSF for them to decide if they'll see me for a consult. Thanks again for responding. Big hugs, Steve

Steven, Goodmorning, and welcome to the board. There are many men on this board who have had the surgery. However, it seems like sometimes we ladies take over. Maybe with another man posting here you can drag them back out. I know you specificly asked for men who have had the surgery, but if there is anything I can help you with please feel free to ask. Best of luck to you on your journey. Melissa

Thanks Melissa. I have read your profile in the past and was inspired by it. As things move forward I'm sure I'm going to have questions/concerns and appreciate your offer to help. Steve

Hey Steven! There are guys here, but we dont seem to post that often for some reason. I had my surgery about 5 1/2 weeks ago. I'm so happy I did it. At 3 1/2 weeks I lost 54 pounds. I dont get weighed again till June 9, so I have no idea what the total is. I still have a ways to go as I started out as a VERY big boy at 509 pounds. I have been fat my whole life, and for the first time ever, I feel like I finally may beat this weight thing. You can read my blog at www.bigfathomo.com It pretty much tells my story to date. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or just to say "Hi". I used to live in SF for several years. Unfortunately had to move back to Chicago. I lived in the Lower Haight, and used to practically live SOMA! Love the Eagle on Sundays for beer bust! Miss it soooo much! Take Care Mark

I have been an active posterer...but as time has gone by, I have become a lurker. I read the board at least three times a day...but with the lack of guys posting... I just input on occassion. The ladies are incredible..but I do miss the chatting of men.. d

HI Steven, I've been a member of AMOS since May 2006. Sadly, there have never been a lot of men posting on this particular board. I have no idea why. My surgery was August 2004. I lost 220, and I've kept most of it off. I do keep gaining and losing the same 15 pounds. Hell, I can live with that. I feel blessed, too. My coming out process kinda played out on the AMOS boards. And, as a result, I found a great partner who also had WLS. He had surgery two years ago, and he went from 325 to 180. He's 6'1" and sexy as hell.

Sadly, not many men around posting on the boards. I think a lot of people, once they have surgery and lose the weight, simply move on with life. I used to read the boards and chat all the time, but these days, seems I never have enough time on my hands. Good luck with UCSF. I don't know anyone in the area that's been through the program there. I went through the Kaiser SSF program. Honestly, it was one of the best things that I ever did for myself. My partner was somewhat against it for himself when I was going through it, but after I had surgery and was about 6 months out, he saw the benefit and decided to do it himself. I had surgery February, 2004 and haven't looked back. Any questions I can answer, feel free to email. Good luck! -shane

Sure...although I don't consider myself a member of any particular community or grouping...there are guys on the board...but I suspect that being a tad bit more active and fining less time to get online is my excuse. Since the surgery 2 1/2 years ago I have been busier than a blind dog's tail in a meat market, on the go and loving it! bicycling, motorcycling, kayakking, hiking, traveling around...all the things I had a harder time doing than before...so I'm making up for lost time! Being on the other coast you should be able to connect with quite a few folks...the northerners here tend to hibernate when it gets chilly...but I'm always out and about. If you got any questions...feel free to email me...I'm no expert...but 2 1/2 years postop...I've managed to stay the course so far!