If you are considering surgical weight loss, this guy's story is worth reading

[slim slow 2]

I wanted to share this.. I think we can all relate to many of this man's struggles. His honesty about them, as well as his ideas about creating resources to help others in similar situations, are refreshing and inspiring.

Googling brought me here:
http://weymouth.wickedlocal.com/article/20140812/NEWS/140819260/?Start=1

Which ultimately brought me here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1421495441/cutting-the-fat-with-a-knife-a-mans-surgical-weigh


After talking to him, I can tell you he has an admirable capacity for empathy. In conjunction with a good idea, and the bravery to put yourself out there to try to make it happen.. it's hard to find anything but respect for Steve. If others in the past had been willing to do what he's doing, maybe none of us would even be on this forum today. Take 5 minutes to check out what he has to say.. Trust me.

Just so nobody gets the wrong idea, I wanted to add that his surgery is not contingent upon the success of his 'kickstarter'. I felt like he didn't make this clear enough at first glance - but upon learning that the surgery is happening either way, I pledged him $150. He doesn't need our help to get his surgery - he's just going out of his way to try to help the rest of us as much as possible in the process. You've gotta root for the guy who puts himself out there and invests his time and energy towards that end.

You shouldn't take my word for it and donate to his cause. I have posted his story here on your forum so that you can read and talk to him about what he's trying to accomplish here, then form your own opinion. I support it, so i'm speaking up and saying let's make it happen.

-slim slow

[Bandista 7,466]

Well men are definitely under-represented in the weight loss community, that's for sure. I think he's really on to something. Having women -- whether wives, sisters, friends or whomever -- playing a mother-hen role vs. really showing up for one's self, confronting the issues -- taking personal responsibility. That's what it takes.

[aroundhky 1,174]

Really good post and article! Thank you! I struggled with the decision at first as well. At some point, I realized I was just spinning my wheels by working out, but not doing very well with my diet and nutrition and feeling hunger that could not and seemingly refused to be satiated. So I swallowed my pride, got the sleeve and stopped swallowing as much food and also learned even more about nutrition in the process. In November, it will be 3 years since I got the sleeve and still feel it is one of the best decisions (though one of the hardest decisions) of my life. I also hear quite a bit from women on here as the guy in the article states, and very little from guys. I'm not sure if it's just the ratio on here or some guys are like me and don't ask for directions when sometimes we need it. I do hear from guys some and it's usually a muscle kind of question and they are worried about losing it or not being able to gain it back after the sleeve. I help as much as I can about their questions on that, but I would also like to promote the overall health benefits of bariatric surgery and having a second chance on life. Guys.....getting the sleeve is not only going to increase your chances of living longer, but also add to your quality of life. So there's both qualitative and quantitative benefits......win win!

Edited August 14, 2014 by aroundhky

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

I went to the article and the typical posters were there saying to "do your research", "surgery should be a LAST RESORT." "just eat less and move more." Yada, Yada, Yada.

Surgery was my LAST RESORT. After 40 + years of weight watchers, Overeaters Anonymous, (OA), doctor supplied legal speed etc.

THE FACT IS my stomach was not working. It kept telling me I was hungry when I had no need to eat. This isn't just lack of willpower--if it were there would not be that many obese people!

Once that troublesome part of my stomach was removed my appetite is now "normal" and I don't live to eat I eat to live.

The shaming that goes on with obesity is unbelievable. If someone needed surgery to treat any OTHER disease there is no shaming or condemnation involved.

Another FACT. Obesity kills--just like heart disease, cancer or any other disease. It just takes a lot longer to kill you and it's the complications like diabetes or high blood pressure that eventually KILLS you.

Obesity is a multifaceted disease. It's not just shutting your pie-hole, lack of discipline etc. No one wants to be obese and treated totally different by complete strangers. Since I now no longer appear to be obese, total strangers are so much more nice to me!

I say good for Steve. He is taking control of his life and health. I only wish my husband wasn't such a high risk for surgery--no doctor would touch him because he had blood clots and is on comudin.

Good luck Steve. I applaud your courage.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

@@aroundhky, I'm on another VSG board that has a lot more men. I don't think I'm supposed to mention any other boards here, so I won't. But the point is that I know several dozen men who post frequently at that forum about their WLS journeys. They're all very cool.

Point is, I do know a lot of men who are getting WLS.