Bariatric Support Groups

I went to my first Bariatric Surgery support group meeting tonight.

It wasn't a huge group...I think...honestly, this was my first time attending one so I don't know if it was large or not. There were about 20 people total, including my wife and I and the social worker and nurse.

There wasn't really a set agenda; primarily people talked about whatever came up. There were perhaps two pre-ops, and maybe two (including me) who were "newbies" of only a month or two out of surgery, and everyone else it seemed was a year or more out. One woman had lost nearly 300 lbs and was...what, five years out?

I don't know yet if the support group environment is quite for me. I learned some interesting information, like how other people had various forms of addiction transfer, and how to get a discount on a magazine dedicated to living with weight loss surgery. It was nice to hear that there were other people working with some of the issues I've had.

But at the same time there is a definite disparity between genders. Out of the 20 or so people there, I think there were two males that had surgery (including me), one that was just starting the process and considering surgery, and I think two other guys there for support for a significant other.

This makes me wonder if the sharing mentality is more of a feminine trait, that women tend to be more comfortable sharing and talking about issues while guys are more likely to keep it quiet or keep it to themselves. The guy looking at having the surgery was looking more for the male perspective...I'm afraid that he'll have some trouble finding it because to be honest most guys seem to not talk about it unless questioned. Thinking back, it was mostly women who told me they were post-op. I know of one guy that had the surgery when I did and I saw him at a couple followup appointments, I know of one guy who died from the surgery...and now I've met one other at the support group meeting tonight. And, of course, there's one male person I know is following the blog and I've exchanged a few messages with him, but I've never met him in person.

Is it possible that there are fewer males having the surgery? Or is it just that women are more into sharing their experiences with each other while guys just sort of shuffle off to deal with their issues themselves?

I currently have the next meeting on my schedule, so while I don't know if this was the best thing for me I also am not ready to write support groups off. After all, this was just a first meeting. It's very possible that it would take a few meetings to figure out if there's a niche for me there or not. There are definitely worse ways to spend two hours.

Anyone else out there wanting to share how useful meetings have been for them, or why they do or don't go to them?