Fat No More: The Answer for the Dangerously Overweight [Paperback]

Norman B. Ackerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1999

This is the amazing story of the surgical solutions that many are seeking. Dr Ackerman, who has devoted two decades to helping those who fear there's no hope left, offers surgical answers to morbid obesity, from stomach stapling and intestinal bypass to lyposuction and more. This is the complete guide for those who choose these solutions and for those who provide them. Using the latest research, the author examines the physical and psychological aspects of obesity; discusses his personal experiences in treatment; and offers many success stories of patients who are living new lives, liberated from overeating and excessive weight.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

You are morbidly obese if you are 100 or more pounds heavier than your ideal weight. Ackerman describes his 25 years of surgery on almost 1,000 patients to eliminate several tons of flab. Surgery is often the only treatment for morbid obesity, because dietary, pharmacological, and psychological therapies work much less often in real life than on TV. Most of Ackerman's patients became morbidly obese simply by overeating. Only a few were victims of a glandular condition. Ackerman started his work with the intestinal bypass, which worked reasonably well but could produce serious side effects. He developed a gastric bypass and such techniques as stomach stapling. About one-fifth of his patients later need plastic surgery to restore their bodies to a more normal appearance. The informative text tells Ackerman's story well, and a few choice illustrations complement it. The fat in the land is steadily increasing, we are told, ensuring this book an interested readership. William Beatty

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573926922
• ISBN-13: 978-1573926928
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,991,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent source for researching the surgery option., August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fat No More: The Answer for the Dangerously Overweight (Paperback)

I read this book with the hope of answering numerous questions I have had about the various surgical procedures available for treating obesity. I found most of the answers I wanted. I also created a whole new list of questions because the author does a good job of discussing the topic. As he did this I found questions about things I hadn't even thought of. He left me wanting to know more. I am very glad I read the book and would recommend it highly to anyone who is seriously considering surgical options to treat obesity. I was glad to have this resource available with information coming directly from a practicing physician. I plan to, of course, look at the other side of things again too, so I can weigh the benefits and consequences. The book is also written fairly plainly so that everyone can understand. Some of the diagrams and things should have maybe been compared to "normal" people so we could differentiate what needed to change, etc. But, for the most part, the book was excellent!

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Does have interesting perspectives and information, July 26, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fat No More: The Answer for the Dangerously Overweight (Paperback)

Well, I must say that I was a bit surprised by the author's tone in the first few chapters. Although the book is about (and is even titled) "the answer for the dangerously overweight", the author seemed a bit harsh against the obese and, although showing this option, also is able to chastize many readers.

Although I am only half done with it right now, I feel it is worthwhile to read, if only because negative views can be just as important to know as the positive views.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, June 14, 2002

By 

SamDanae "samdanae" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fat No More: The Answer for the Dangerously Overweight (Paperback)

This is one of the books I've read as I've considered and studied weight loss surgery. I found this book very informative and especially liked the discussions of the history of this surgery. The text is easy to read (i.e. you don't have to be a doctor to understand it).