Women Compared to Men

Cmstant · May 13, 2006

I have noticed that the majority of people on this site are female. Is that a fact of the surgery, that the majority of banders are female, or is it something else? I was banded in September and have lost around 95lbs and consider this one of the best decisions I have made and would advise anyone who seriously needs to lose weight to consider this option, male or female.

Alexandra · May 13, 2006

I think there are a couple of factors at play. I know when I attend the new-patient seminars that my surgeon holds, most of the audience is usually female. Just guesstimating, it's probably 75/25 in favor of women; maybe even 80/20. So it would seem that most bariatric surgery patients, in general, are female. Maybe that's because men don't seek medical treatment as readily, women feel under more pressure to lose weight, or perhaps the medical community assumes men won't be interested so they don't suggest surgery to their male MO patients. I'd also guess that in general, there are more women than men suffering from morbid obesity. This might be because men don't gain weight as easily and lose it more quickly, or because they just die of the disease earlier (from heart attacks, for example).

In addition, I'd venture to guess that more women than men are likely to seek out information and support on the internet. So the makeup of this site, like others, is likely to be even more dramatically tilted toward women, closer to 90%.

Whatever the reasons, it's definitely true that more women than men undertake weight-loss surgery. The proportions for RNY vs. banding are probably similar, though; I'd imagine it's the bariatric-surgery patient base in general that skews largely female, not just bandsters.

K@t · May 14, 2006

I think Alex summed that up nicely. Congratulations on your success though! :clap2:

"Just" Paul · May 15, 2006

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Elisabethsew · May 15, 2006

You know how men are when it comes to asking directions? LOL. I have a friend (male) who had lapband surgery in July of last year and is nearly at his goal weight having lost 125+ pounds. He TELLS everyone how he did it but would never go to a chat room or info board.

paula · May 15, 2006

****edited*****

HeatherGurl · May 15, 2006

My husband could stand to lose at least 100 pounds. He is 6'5" and weighs (I am guessing) 350. He is and has always been a big guy. Football player, weight lifter... all that good stuff. He absolutely refuses to even consider any kind of surgery.... I don't know why really, but I am not pushing it on him.

He thinks I need to put him on a diet... So, we'll see.

Cmstant · May 15, 2006

Big Paul... Just a general observation. Good to see you on here.

Marimaru · May 15, 2006

I wonder if guys come to boards like this and see that it's mostly women and get put off by it?

Big Fred · August 24, 2007

Hi All,

Just thought i would mention that there are a few men in here. I am pre-band and found this site just a few months ago. Everyone in here is great and you are correct there are not a lot of men.

Perhaps it's the male stigma of not admitting a problem, I have been heavy all my life and finally made a decision to do something about it with the help of my wife. She never pushed me, just gave me gentle nudges.

I hope more men open up and let people know that we are all in the same boat and need the support of wach other to get through this.

My thanks to each and everyone who shares their experiences.