Question

I'm asking this as a serious question - is there possibly something anatomically or physially that makes women more prone to problems following WLS than men, or is it more of an emotional, psychological thing?  I know a young lady who is 33 years old and had WLS abot 5 years ago. She has been in and out of the hospital several times since then, at least 2 or 3 times a year. I know another lady who is in her late 40's who had the surgery about 3 years ago and she to has been in and out of the hospital about 2 or 3 times a year. Neither one has really been found to have a specific problem diagnosed. On the other hand, I know four men, ranging in age from early 30's to 60, who have had the surgery and only one has been hospitalized. That was for a stricture, which was corrected and he has had no other major issues.   Just curious if this is a gender thing, physical, emotional, or what? Any thoughts??

Hey bob... ohhh good question...my first instinct is to say....there are more women and they are more vocal...so there are more of them...or you hear more about them.... We have guys that have problems too...Dxe, Preacher Bob...Carbon blob... and a dude just posted about passing out in the middle of the street... I think there is more women who have "Mystery Illnesses" that no doc can find a reason for...here again, that is becuse there are more with them to start with...and fellas have a tendency to dummy up, when there is a problem is this about what you were thinking about??? Russ

Good observation, Its been my observation that women put a lot more focus on WLS as a “fix” for all their early childhood painful memories of being left out of the popular groups and how painful it was to be ridiculed by society, their families, and the mean girls and guys of their past. I believe that after WLS they disappointingly, find out that being thinner does not emotionally make up for all the pain of the past. And worse yet, those that hurt them in the past have moved on from those painful memories rarely recall or acknowledge their past actions. Therefore all the work involved with WLS does not bring out the apologies and begging forgiveness from the people in their past. As a result they have more issue with WLS as they tend to bend rules as the emotional side still finds it way to surface in thier new life style. I think guys shruge off insults and embarrassing situations of the past as ancient history and focus more how WLS gives them the freedom to get of the couch and do all the thing they missed out on in their former form.  I think guys look at WLS as a tool for changing the future, and Women look at WLS as a tool to fix and amend their past. Herb

Herb: Well said.  I would probably agree.

Herb, I think you nailed it. While I am the only male at work who has had WLS, there are several of my female co-workers who have had WLS.  In the 15 months since my surgery, I have missed one day because of a related problem (scar tissue around the stoma leaving the pouch and had to have it dialated).  On the other hand, the women are constantly harping about aches and pains and they still carry the baggage of "mistreatment" from the past.  They can't seem to let it go and get on with their life.  None of them have maintained an exercie program.  They expected the surgery to fix everything they perceived to be wrong in thier life. Rich

I think you nailed it Herb.

Hello old friend....good to see you

You all have about the same thoughts as I do. Just wasn't sure if I was off base or what. Thanks for the responses guys!