Customer Reviews

The Expert's Guide to Weight-Loss Surgery: Is it right for me? What happens during surgery? How do I keep the weight off?

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Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) can be a confusing thing. Am I a candidate? Do I qualify? Do I even *want* to do it? It's like a maze that needs to be navigated through to the end. If you're lucky, you have a terrific support - but that doesn't change the fact that it can be a long and exhausting process...just to get TO the surgery! Then the aftermath begins a whole new confusing time.

Garth Davis is a doctor who primarily does WLS in his practice, along with his father. Apparently (I didn't know this before I bought the book), their practice is featured on the TLC show "Big Medicine". He has taken his extensive knowledge and research and written this book, in an attempt to help potential WLS patients answer the many questions that exist.

The Expert's Guide to Weight-Loss Surgery is an excellent resource, both for anyone contemplating the surgery and/or for anyone who has questions following a friend/family member's surgery. He lays out everything in detail, and in chapters that make sense in their organization. And he manages to do it in a language that is not overly technical, but rather like the conversation you might have if your next-door neighbor were a surgeon...friendly and full of information.

Dr. Davis starts out immediately in the introduction, explaining why he chose to write the book. He says that as someone who has become in the public eye, he is frequently stopped by people with questions. This took is his attempt at answering all those questions. He is also VERY clear - WLS is *not* a magic cure-all. It takes a lot of thought, a lot of preparation and a ton of commitment to change the destructive behaviors that have gotten most patients where they are.

These are the remaining chapters:
One - The Costs of Obesity : He discusses the official definitions of obesity, BMI , and the economic, social and physical costs of obesity. He covers many of the co-morbidities and their associated effects on the body.

Two - How We Got Here - and Why What We're Doing Now Isn't Working: He discusses some of the newest research into why WLS can be so incredibly successful for patients, including the chemicals and hormones (such as ghrelin) that affect the body in obese patients. There is some absolutely fascinating information here - such as the nugget that a surgical body in Europe recently had a convention to discuss whether or not WLS can/should be done on patients with diabetes. This is one of the best chapters in the book.

From there, the other chapters go into the different kinds of WLS, and their associated benefits and risks. He makes no bones about being a bigger believer in the bypass than the band and explains why, but he is very thorough in giving information for both. How to find a doctor, navigating insurance and preparing for surgery (another excellent chapter) precede chapter Nine, called The Big Day. He goes through every step of the process, including what your loved ones should expect. He is also VERY careful to explain that your surgeon's recommendations should ALWAYS come first.

Then comes everything after the surgery - the basics, diet schedule, the "honeymoon" period, exercise, emotions, excess skin, negotiating pitfalls and then the conclusion...all in their own chapters. There are also 7 terrific appendixes, including one that is a letter his practice often uses with insurance companies.

Now, if you've read this far, I commend you. This was longer than I intended it to be, but to shorten the review would not do the book justice. There is simply *so* much information, presented incredibly well and in the least confusing way possible. If you (or a loved one) are thinking about having this surgery, then I highly recommend that you make this book part of your research reading. It will hold your hand along the way and become one of the reference materials that you will come back to again and again.

I actually purchased this book for my Kindle on the day it was released while sitting in Dr. Davis' waiting room for my after surgery follow up to remove my stitches. He and his father are an awesome duo and the book has been of tremendous help to me. I highly recommend it and the doctor who wrote it!

My surgeon at Duke recommended I read this book about 3 months prior to my surgery. I found it extremely helpful in letting me know what to expect prior to my surgery, during my recovery, and beyond. It is very comprehensive and deals with physical, emotional, and the psychological issues involved with weight loss surgery. I also purchased Exodus from Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You, which were personal accounts of WLS patients journeys from insurance approval, surgery, and ultimately keeping the weight off. I think these three books combined cover everything a potential WLS patient might need to make an informed decision prior to getting surgery.

I have read over a dozen books on this subject. Some I have bought (like this one) and some I have borrowed from the library. This book does a very good job of explaining Gastric Bypass Surgery every step of the way. It is very comprehensive and is definitely a book you want to buy and keep. There is only one other book that I can think of that comes close to it but this one is the best. You will be investing your money in a worthwile book.

This book would be good for people pre-op, as well as post-op. I didn't purchase my used copy until after Gastric Sleeve surgery. While it's a bit dated (he suggests that the Sleeve is rare, but it's very popular with my surgeon), much of the information is timeless. I appreciate the doctor's candor, research and expertise.

Wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. When I got so far into it I ended up just skimming through the rest.

I am preparing for weight-Loss surgery, and my doctor recommended this book. I'm so grateful that he did. This book covered everything, answered all my questions, and gave me information I hadn't even thought about. If you're thinking of weight-loss surgery, this book is a must!

when i bought this book i did NOT know that this is the Surgeon that did that show called Big Medicine... i never got a chance to see the TV Show but if it Ever comes on again I Definitely WILL...! He & His Father are BOTH Surgeons... WOW! this book is filled with Lots of Good Info if you are looking into having Bariatric Surgery...!!!

I definitely recommend this book to anyone considering weight loss surgery whether it is for gastric bypass RNY or band. There is so much information in this book which really educated me on what to expect from the very beginning to the very end. Everything is explained in simple terms versus "big wig" jargon terms. I have done much research on the topics in the book and Garth's explanations really tied everything together for me. The book is an easy read and keeps you interested.

This book is helpful for those of us planning on bariatric surgery. Dr Brooks explains in detail what to expect. I recommend this book.