I'm an "old timer" who will always post here

 There are many reasons for this but the most notable one is that I get more support from the group than I have ever given to any individual person.  I first joined OH in July, 2000 and it had about 17,000 members then.  I believe that number is now around 200,000 and the vast majority of them are women.  The Men's Forum did not exist for about the first five years that I was in OH.  I got excellent help from many women.  However, if you have a sample that large, their are going to be some rotten apples.  Most notably were women who thought most men were scum ( these were usually women going through difficulties in relationships or getting a divorce)..  And, there were some women who simply thought that men couldn't comprehend nor face the pain of childbirth--duh, we are male and that should be obvious.

Prior to the Men's Forum, some women would verbally attack men who posted on the Main Forum.  By the way it wasn't just the Main Forum;  rather, it was the only forum.  When I say "some" I do mean a small percentage but that could still come out to being a significant number of women.

Back then, aside from discussing WLS, diets, exercise, and post-op behavior, a lot of women openly discussed "female" problems.  All of us WLS people share regarding WLS, but the "female" stuff gets old quickly for most men.  That's not what we're here to find out.  And, many men stopped posting because of the treatment they got on the Main Forum.  

Since the creation of the Men's Forum, that has been where I primarily post.  After years of experiencing comfort there, I also occasionally post on the RNY and WLS Graduates Forums.  But, I do so knowing that I have the Men's Forum to come back to.  I know that a lot of men get bent out of shape when women post here.  Some of them have been very nasty in rejecting or berating women for posting here.  Considering the number of women in OH, I think their number is low.  However, I usually address women who post on the Men's Forum either on the Forum or by Contact and ask them not to post here.  This is the only Forum devoted to Men and some men won't post elsewhere.  I point out that OH is an open forum and that anyone on OH can read or post on any forum.  We simply ask women not to post here.

I have 2 different feeling about what attracts Men to this Forum.  My personal stand is that a support group should provide a positive environment for the exchange of ideas.  I try to be positive in my responses but I do make mistakes at time.  My second feeling is that Men seek out other men who have successfully worked out the program.  I try to be successful but I know I am far from the success that others have achieved.  I knew when I went for WLS that my goal weigh would be around the starting weight for most men.  That's fine.  I am maintaining a net weight loss about 230 lbs.  I hope to lose more but it's now a struggle.  

OH is my only support group.  My local hospital has a support group but they charge a lifetime fee of over $1,000 to join.  I retired on disability 8 years before my WLS and I simply don't have that kind of money.  The hosp where I had my revision is in Philly in a decent area but I hate driving into any city.  So, I haven't been there since 2005 when my wife took me.

I do know that I tend to be wordy, so forgive the length of this post.  Bob

Hey Bob. I completely agree. Especially being a young guy, I get annoyed with all the "ladies issues," so I don't bother with the main forums.

My hospital program has a free support group, but it is mostly women who are too old for me anyways.lol

Also, the support group is more like advertising our wls success to preopers rather than actual support. I don't want to go their just to be advertisement that surgery works. 

Besides for a couple recent relapses, I have stayed completely abstinent from sugar. My friend Yvonne has done it for almost 10 years. I know how hard it is to stay away from it at times, but your weight should improve if you do (and try to stay away from the other white addictive carbs). 

Take care,
Yehuda

 Hey Bob - once again, thanks to you and other veterans who have shared their experience, knowledge, as well as their "failures"...it's a great lesson for all of us.  For me, the OH Men's Forum is my support group.  Like others, the "local" group through my surgeon as well as the other OH forum's is mostly women and they often get into women's issues that I'm just not interested in.  So, thankfully, us guys have a place here.  I know some women 'lurk' out there and check out our posts.  i actually appreciate some of the advice they offer but am especially thankful they respect our "space".  I've also found a lot of support and encouragement from both men and women on the Exercise and Fitness forum.

So guys...let's keep on keeping on!  The encouragement, support, and occasional ass kicking when needed is good!  

This healthy life is VERY GOOD!  Enjoy it!  Mike