Male vs Female WLS reaction

I have said that I openly admit to other people that I have undergone WLS.  When I tell a another man... I don't know what they're thinking. I sometimes think that they don't understand why I just couldn't stop eating.   Most women that I know.. with maybe two exceptions are are very supportive.

Have you noticed a difference between a male and female's reaction?

Not really. Everyone I have told have been very supportive, both male and female. I think that may be because they have seen me struggle with my weight and fail at dieting.

I, too, will openly admit that I had WLS if I am asked.  This was more likely to occure when I went from 571 down to the mid 300s.  However, since I've been holding around 340, most people who don't know me would never guess that I have had WLS.

I know that I was overwhelmed by my weight loss back in the day.  I wanted to let every morbidly obese person know how well the WLS is.  I guess my manic tendencies came out when I would approach people in restaurants or other situations and tell them about WLS.  Not only did it embarass my wife, but I found that most people were already aware of it.  Many of them were not covered by their ins ( if they even had ins).  I learned to be more discretionary with my remarks.

 Funny coincidence, Bobber .. 

   I was the same way you were right after my surgery ..  I called it "telling my Great Pumpkin story" to others ..  Usualy it seemed to fall on disinterested (M.O. or S.O.) ears, and very rarely did someone seem genuintely interested in what I had to say and maybe help their own situation (or that of a familly member or loved one).    I also used to anonymously leave the OH "biz cards", when they had them, in places where I knew someone who was M.O. or S.O. would find it, so they could come here for more info.. 

  The disinterest I found, combined with comments here on OH that I should "mind my own biz" and not tell the story, have convinced me to keep my mouth shut now about it.    I figure people know about WLS (it's advertised all the time on T.V. here by serveral local surgeons, complete with testimonials, as well as on billboards) and, if they'rei nterested, it's up to them to "get 'er done" .. 

  btw, your surgeon's name is "Dr. Raper"  ???        Good thing he didn't decide on gynecology as his specialty!  

Great thread.  It comes around every so often.  At age 63+ I will tell a select few.  I struggle not to sell it more often. My relatives and close friends are very supportive.  HOWEVER, my wife is not.   WTF. She sees the dumping, sweating, chills, and age as a disadvantage. To her the trade off was not worth it. She liked the fat and jolly Santa Clause.  I did'nt.. May be sleeping on the sofa for awhile?????

I openly tell people.  I have had both sides, some who are interested, some who aren't or don't understand.

It really doesn't matter.  What you did was for you, and maybe for your family.  But utimately I'm happy with what I did, and I'm willing to share.  Now I try not to preach about the benefits of it, because I don't like that when it happens to me, but I will share any information with someone who shows some interest.

Scott

 I don't care what others think.  I did this for me, not them.  I don't  need their approval, acceptance, or disapproval.  I was a big, muscular guy who put too much weight on when I couldn't play sports anymore.  I went past the point of no return.  I needed help to get my life back.  If someone can't understand that then too bad.  I will say that some of the guys think that it's a little funny because I can't life as much weight that I used to because of the muscle loss.  That was a little hard for me to accept.  I thought about it and came to accept the trade off.  I'll gladly trade a little muscle to be healthier and slimmer.  Plus I know that with some work I'll get some of that lean muscle mass back.  That's my two cents worth.

Duane

I stop telling people about my WLS.  I did it for me and I don't care if they know.  I have told my co workers because there are only 4 people and I was off for the WLS and so I told them what for.  It is funny isadropping said his wife does not like his WLS, mine does not like mine either.  I don't get much support.  She is still in size 26-28 and I am shinking.  She said she would never get that surgery.  Then she says that she told me not to get it.  But I swear to the heavens that before the surgery she told me to get it because I could not lose weight any other way.  I need a tape recorder for her retelling of the thing she says the retelling it later in a different way. LOL

Two different topics have been hit on here I think. Being open about your surgery and talking to others that you think may benefit from it.

I've been open with friends and family about this, I see no reason to hide it. I only hope I don't talk to them about it toooo much. I think I'm at a good level now where I only discuss it when someone else brings it up (typically ask questions now about how I'm doing, am I happy I did it, etc...)

So yea, I will talk about it (possibly ad naseum at times) when asked about it.

BUT, I try not to preach. I think that's a key thing.

I won't approach someone blindly about it, cause i know that someone needs to be ready to make the change or you'll likely just bug the hell out of them at the least.  Two years ago, before i made up my mind to pursue this, nobody could have approached me about it without possibly ******g me off.

I have one buddy that shortly after I had surgery said both he and his wife have thought about WLS, and I may check in with him soon to see if he'd like more info or anything, but if he doesn't want to get in to it, I'll drop it. Just sort of remind him I'm here as a resource if he wants.

Like I said, I'm very open bout it, even to the point of starting a website specifically for guys looking in to or have had WLS. I'm also thinking of contacting my surgeon to see if he's looking for guys to come to their informational meetings to talk to folks there... a testement to another way WLS has helped me cause I wouldn't even consider (voluntarily) speaking before a group a year ago.