Gay connotation to wls?

Ok guys, Let me start this post by saying I dont post much. I dont know what type of "attitude" prevails in here, but I just read a post about political correctness, and I want to know you guys' opinion. Is there a perception out there that wls is for gay men, and women? The reason I ask is one of my friends made a comment about wls, and it was shared by other people. In fact,,, I had thought of it as being almost feminine before I had wls. That perception came because I too was uninformed, and ignorant. I was banded on 12-5-06, and the decision for me to have it was the best medical, and healthwise decision I have ever made in my life.  But I ask again,, is there THAT perception out there? Are there lots of gay guys in here? Wait,, is THAT ok to even ask?  Steve Que

You can ask any question as long as it is not coming from a point of racism or hatred.

Are there Gays on this board in particular- not to my knowledge. There are some, but a majority; I do not think so.

But my question to you, is what difference does that make to you? 

As a Gay man, I have never felt the least bit attacked or talked down to, or about on this board or another. I have the EXACT same struggles are many do- I have fought my weight my entire life, and has interferred with my life, just as I am sure it has others. Now, the perception is true, I dare say 80-90% of WLS are performed on Woman.  So to close, I care very little about perception, not my problem.  This sugery has saved and changed my life in ways I could only imagine. Chris

What difference does that make to me? I will answer that question WITH a question----Cant I ask a question and wonder if there is a PERCEPTION that wls is perceived as being feminine? Whether or not it makes a difference to me,,,,has NO reference.

Ive never been attacked either. And thats a testament to the good guys on this board,,, both gay and straight.

Hey bud,, Im just asking a question. Didnt mean to step on any toes.

 

Steve Que

If there is that perception, it's news to me.  Good health habits apply to anyone and everyone!

I totally agree. Of subject,,,,, do you think Alando has any chance of POY over Durant?

Hi there, Steve! There are guys from ALL walks of life here - - gay, straight, bi, whatever.  And it is never an issue.  No one cares about someone's sexual orientation - that is the least of our worries as we take this life-long journey through weight loss and fitness :) As far as WLS being perceived as something "feminine" in particular, I don't think so.  I don't think that WLS can be paired with any given orientation or "attitude" per se.  Most EDUCATED people truly understand the connotations of WLS, and what it entails.  It is a life saving measure which gives folks the upper hand towards a better, healthier life. So, your friends' perception on WLS (if that is the case) is completely off base and off the mark. Just my 2 cents. Have a terrific day! :) Mike

Thanks Michael, I appreciate your point of view. But I cant be a hypocrite here. I, myself had that impression for the most part.  Then, like you said, I became EDUCATED about wls.  Thanks Bud

Steve, Anything is 'OK to Ask!' my answer?--- Not a “Gay” perception at all, But the notion of seeking Medical Help, IS often viewed incorrectly as Feminine. Men, gay or straight, still interact fairly much the same when it comes to relating to the Medical community.  (that, and no matter, we All still hold the remote control to the TV.) When it comes to perceptions concerning Men to Women regarding Health issues, sexual preference doesn’t figure into the equation.  Gender does seem to however…….

If you ask almost anyone, in a comparison of Men & Women, Who is more likely to get cancer or to commit suicide, Considering all of the news about breast cancer, and the tendency to be “moody,” A majority of people will say women.

But the reality is – That Men lead Women in 14 out of 15 leading causes of death. Not only are men 29 per cent more likely to get cancer, They are 52 per cent more likely to die from it. Men's health researchers Dr. Don McCreary And Dr. Ross Gray surveyed 300 men and 300 women Between the ages of 40 and 60 and discovered That both sexes believed that men died from prostate cancer And women died from breast cancer. In fact, the number one cancer killer of both sexes is lung cancer. "That's great marketing," says McCreary, Editor of the International Journal of Men's Health, In an article in “Canadian Health,” "but it distorts the truth So they're not paying attention to the other symptoms." Numbers don't lie The truth is pretty astounding: Men are 39 % more likely to die from diabetes than women, 55 % more likely to die from cancer, 64 % more likely to die from pneumonia and flu, 78 % more likely to die from heart disease, 4 times more likely to die from suicide, Twice as likely to die from accidents and so on. Why are We so vulnerable? One reason is that overall, Men pay less attention to health information And healthy lifestyle than women. Indeed, men are more likely then women to smoke, More likely to drink more and to binge drink, More likely to have a poor diet, More likely to be overweight, Less likely to wear sunscreen (but more likely to work outdoors) And less likely to make regular appointments with their doctors for check-ups. Where they are better off than women, Is that men report engaging in exercise more than women. But there's a drop-off: as men age, We exercise less-and We shouldn't. Doing what's expected!! Another reason why the statistics Are so different is because of the way boys are socialized. "One of the biggest aspects of the male gender role is toughness, Not displaying weakness," McCreary explains. "But also not being a woman, not being a girl." And it's a double-edged sword. Boys are taught to "take it like a man"; Health problems are seen as a sign of weakness And, at the same time, taking risks with health Is seen as being tough. (This is perhaps where the perception of Gay vs Straight perception might come into play.  But, from someone who works in an industry dominated by gay males, let me assure you, It doesn’t matter if a guy is a cigar-smoking-biker-bear or a boa-wearing-drag-queen, Men Don’t aim to come off as WEAK, no matter the personae.) Girls go to the doctor on a regular basis, And that's been socialized into them. The same is not true for boys. "The most likely cancer to kill men Between the ages of 15 and 30 is testicular cancer, But most physicians don't talk to boys About doing a testicular self-examination," he adds. Mental health issues among men, Says McCreary, are understudied and underreported. Depression and anxiety are major issues, As is evidenced by the suicide numbers, Yet many men don't want to see a doctor Or therapist for help because Depression is thought of as a 'woman's problem' And a sign of weakness. In light of this, The American Psychological Association And the National Institutes of Health Recently launched a health promotion campaign Targeted at Men about Depression. So Guys, One of the keys to making long-term changes Is to teach children proper health behavior Starting from a young age, McCreary adds, "Normalizing good health and prevention Without making it seem weak." While men may be different from women in many ways, The same health rules apply to both: Don't smoke, Get regular exercise-and don't let it drop off as you age Take advantage of screenings available to you , Eat a healthy diet, Protect yourself from the sun, Drink in moderation, Maintain a healthy weight, AND BY ALL MEANS- See your doctor regularly- Particularly if you notice any change in your health. For so many of us who have recently taken our health In to our hands and made the needed lifestyle changes through WLS, This is all like “Preaching to the Choir,” Or “Closing the Barn-Door After the Horses are Out.” The aspect of passing on to “Boys” however is the Key, I think. Who among us if given the opportunity to “Time Travel” back And visit our former selves, wouldn’t make sure that we convinced Our past selves to drop the snacks and get more exercise AT ALL COSTS. For those of you with Sons, Grandson’s, Nephews, Etc….(Gay, straight, or Bi-Centennial!)  How might you Convince them, Help them, Motivate them, To fight the weight while they still have their youth? (Steve, there are several guys here who are openly gay.  Among them there are Jocks, Preachers, Right-Wingers, Atheists, Coaches, Teachers, Musicians, Artists, Writers, Salesmen, and so on and so on….What seems to work about this Board when it’s not being ‘stirred’ is that non of that seems to matter as much as the fact that we all have or had really deep navels along the way, and wanted to do something about it.) Best Wishes- Dx

 

DX, Let me do one thing before responding to your post. THANK YOU! You were one of the pioneers I listened to along my journey. Your post and info were all very helpful, and enlightening me thru all the bull**** I went thru to get approved. Thanks man. Now,,, like I said,, I dont post much. And when I do post its because something has stirred my attention, and I want OPINIONS.  I just wanted to know if there was a perception out there. Either way. That doesnt mean that I judge any person one way or the other. That doesnt mean that I would be ashamed that I had a surgery that one group of men had.  NONE OF THAT.  The incident happened. And I wanted to see what the board thought. Period. Steve Que

Steve, Thanks for the Thanks!! I'm generally just- I hope I answered your question.... There is the perception that seeking med treatment is a sign of weakness or even feminine, Just not Gay. Yes? Best Wishes- Dx