The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How to Make the Decision That Could Save Your Life [Paperback]

M.D. Louis Flancbaum (Author), Deborah Flancbaum (Author), Erica Manfred (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2003

Whether you’re already planning to have weight-loss surgery or are still trying to decide, here is what you need to know about the operation that could save your life

If you are considering weight-loss surgery, you are not alone. Obesity is the most common chronic disease in the U.S. today, affecting one out of every four Americans. In this indispensable resource, Dr. Louis Flancbaum, one of the world’s foremost experts on weight-loss surgery, takes you through the entire process, from presurgical evaluation to postop care. You’ll find everything you need to know to get the most out of the latest groundbreaking procedures available that can radically improve your health--and your quality of life.

You’ll discover:

• Why WLS is the safest treatment for patients with clinically severe or morbid obesity
• How to determine if you’re a candidate for WLS
• What to look for when choosing a surgeon
• How to choose the surgical procedure that’s right for you
• What to expect pre-, peri-, and postsurgery
• Common side effects and what they can mean for you
• Diet and nutritional guidelines after WLS

Plus: what to do if your insurance policy excludes obesity treatment, how to determine when you can resume normal activities and return to work, healthful recipes, patient success stories, support groups . . . and much more

Including detailed charts and tables, helpful resources, and websites, this is the only sourcebook on weight-loss surgery you’ll ever need.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For those individuals who are morbidly obese defined as weighing more than 100 pounds above their ideal body weight or with a body mass index of 40 or higher (35 or higher with other illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease) weight loss, or bariatric, surgery can be a lifesaver. It is not, however, a miracle cure. It requires a skilled surgeon, support staff, and the patient's lifelong adherence to diet, exercise, and vitamin supplementation. Expert bariatric surgeon Flancbaum (St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hosp., New York, and Columbia Univ.) has written an excellent and reassuring guide for those considering the surgery. He clearly outlines the surgical options, explaining each type along with its risks and possible complications, as well as expected outcomes. He also explains what to expect before, during, and after surgery, discussing selection of a surgeon, insurance coverage, the surgery itself, pain control, diet, and (rarely) reoperation. Resources and recipes are appended. For a nurse's perspective on the same subject, see Michelle Boasten's Weight Loss Surgery: Understanding and Overcoming Morbid Obesity (FBE Service Network, 2001). For all health collections. Anne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Stedman's Medical Dictionary defines obesity as "an abnormal increase in fat" and simple obesity as "resulting when caloric intake exceeds energy expenditure." Flancbaum, a surgeon with considerable experience in weight loss surgery, refers to obesity throughout as a "chronic disease." Erica Manfred, one of his coauthors, had problems with obesity, was operated on by Flancbaum, and became an advocate for this method of treatment. They and their colleagues describe the various types of surgical procedures and counsel the prospective patient in selecting the most helpful one for her or him. They relay what to expect before and after the operation and what complications are possible. They recommend a healthier diet and more exercise after the surgery, and they advise on selecting a good surgeon and getting one's insurance company to pay for the operation. They conclude by listing sources of further information and providing many food recipes. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Rep Sub edition (August 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553382462
• ISBN-13: 978-0553382464
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Guide!, October 24, 2001

By 

Minda Zetlin (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How to Make the Decision that Could Save Your Life (Paperback)

Weight Loss surgery is a tremendously scary subject but this book makes it easy to understand. It was helpful to know that there are different types of surgery that work differently.

The author is one of the leading surgeons in this area and one of the co-authors had the surgery herself.

The best part of the book were the many true-life accounts from real people who've had the surgery and found it changed their lives for the better. And the recipes were great, too!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Doctor's Guide to WLS--A great resource!, November 8, 2001

By 

Belinda Hulin (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How to Make the Decision that Could Save Your Life (Paperback)

This book is a must-read for anyone considering weight loss surgery or just exploring treatment options for morbid obesity. It's well-researched, authoritative and easy-to-read. The authors include one of the top WLS surgeons and a writer who had weight loss surgery, so they know what they're talking about. Every question a reader might have is anticipated, and ably answered.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book (wish it was longer), February 8, 2002

By 

Kim Cameron (Citrus Heights, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How to Make the Decision that Could Save Your Life (Paperback)

I have read all the books I could find on the subject, since I am having surgery soon. Next to Barbara Thompsons book (Finding the thin person hiding inside you), this is the best. Easily understood, extremely helpful, takes you right through the whole process, and beyond. I love the amount of resources, and the recipes are GREAT. My husband read a lot of it too, so that he is more informed. Great sections to provide info for my employer as well. I got so involved in the reading, was sad when I was done.