Newbie....

Hello, My name is Dolan and I'm new to this thing.  My band is scheduled to be placed on March 21st.  Most of the posts and reading material I've found is for women so I'm hoping this site will help.  My wife and friends, like the most of you, are fairly thin and don't really understand the issues obese men really go through.   I think the biggest thing I lost when I gained weight was self-esteem.  I started feeling really down about myself and would get depressed continually and I couldn't even explain why.  After awhile I was just becoming angry for the stupidest reasons and I knew it was because I was unahppy about the way I looked.  I know it's typically a female thing, but I couldn't shake it.  Anybody else know what I'm talking about?  Thanks. Dolan

Hey Dolan,  congrats on your surgery date and welcome to the Men's Forum.  I can relate to your self esteem issue when gaining weight.  I truly felt ( and still do to some degree) like no one wanted to be around me and I would pretty much back into my own world and stay away from people.  This of course just lead to depression and made it even harder for me to open up to family, friends and others.  I still have a hard time with it but coming to this forum helps a lot.  The guys here are great and always willing to lend a hand.  They are a wealth of knowledge and will give honest, straight answers.  Good Luck and I wish you well on your journey.

Hello Dolan, Welcome to the locker room.   You are making a big step.  Trying to get yourself healthy and happy.  I think most people here can understand your feelings.  This is a great place to get some assistance from the guys.  I think you will find all the help here you could want.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, people are more than willing to answer them. If you search through the old posts, you might even find the answers to your questions or answers to questions you hadn't even thought of yet. Good luck with your surgery Scott

Welcome. And I know exactly what you are talking about and so does everyone else on this board. You're not alone any longer. I'm trying to be real nice here because a while back someone said they needed an ass chewing and I obliged. Now I'm feeling a little guilty. You've found the right place, just be careful what you ask for....

Hi Dolan.   I may be 'fairly thin' but the 464 pound fat guy still lives inside me somewhere and I have to kick his ass on a daily basis to keep him at bay.   In other words I may have lost the weight but it is a daily struggle to keep it off.   Proper diet, eating foods in moderation and exercise does the trick. 

You've definately found the right board to get information that is "estrogen free".    :)

Again, welcome and best of luck on your journey!

Chad

Thanks guys.  That actually means a lot.  I wish I could say I was one of those people that "was always active and stayed thin."  I wasn't, I was a fat kid, fat teenager, and fat adult.  Sure, I had some times where I had lost a bunch of weight and felt great, but I just ballooned back to 330 lbs.  Being 6'0" and over 300 pounds does not make for a sexy guy.  I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has dealt with this.  I've developed a pretty decent outer shell to deal with stares and questions and remarks, but people treat you waaaay differently when you're heavy (obviously).  Thanks again and I'll be sure to check in. Dolan

Welcome aboard Dolan. This is a great place and these guys have a wealth of info and insight. Ask away - glad to have ya join us!

**** yeah I know what your talking about.  Your among friends here now, bro