Gut Feelings: From Fear And Despair To Health And Hope [Paperback]

Carnie Wilson (Author), Mick Kleber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2003

Carnie Wilson's story is a journey from the darkness of a lifelong struggle with emotional rejection, compulsive eating, and morbid obesity into the light of health. Born the daughter of pop music royalty (Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys) and gifted with her own talents that brought fame and fortune, she came to feel that none of this mattered. She would never be whole and happy until she achieved a healthy weight and body image. Carnie's story has inspired millions of morbidly obese people worldwide and she has become a symbol of hope to those who suffer from the stigma, pain and dread that this affliction visits upon its victims.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A blend of rambling biography and encouraging success story, Gut Feelings will take you right into the nitty-gritty of Carnie Wilson's life and the mysteries of gastric bypass surgery. If you think a similar surgery may be in your future, there is a lot to learn from this book--Wilson presents the gory details unflinchingly, and separate appendices from four specialists address more general questions and answers. Wilson's casual tone and conversational asides will make you feel like you're getting to know a new friend; that is, a new friend with a roller-coaster life and a habit of using curses as adjectives. She's frank and animated, with no real illusions about her strengths and weaknesses, but the repeat discussions of matter-of-fact drug use may distract some readers from the real story. Ultimately, the surgery is an interesting success, and professionals in health-related fields, as well as prospective patients, may find the specifics of one person's experience useful. --Jill Lightner --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

When Wilson's gastric bypass surgery was broadcast over the Internet in 2001, it made news not simply because of Wilson's role as singer/songwriter with the pop group Wilson Phillips, nor because she is the daughter of The Beach Boys's Brian Wilson, but also because she had been (and remains) an advocate for self-acceptance, regardless of size. Despite years of dieting, Wilson suffered with morbid obesity, which threatened her health with skyrocketing cholesterol levels, hypertension, sleep apnea, sciatica, breathlessness, and joint pain. Gut Feelings is a wonderfully candid revelation of Wilson's life from childhood to maturity. Her weight problems were family rooted with nature and nurture both contributing and she frankly discusses her feelings about herself, her family, and her friends. After undergoing the bypass surgery, she lost over 150 pounds and had to relearn how to eat and, equally important, how to adjust emotionally to the new Carnie. Beyond the personal story, this book offers appendixes in which a bariatric surgeon, nutritionist, endocrinologist, and psychologist answer questions about open and laparoscopic gastric surgery. These appendixes are invaluable for anyone interested in weight-control surgery, but readers will get at least as much insight into it through the author's tale. Recommended for health collections. Anne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 301 pages
• Publisher: Hay House (January 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401900402
• ISBN-13: 978-1401900403
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY!, October 2, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gut Feelings: From Fear and Despair to Health and Hope (Hardcover)

As a counsellor, there are a vast number of people who have come to my office with feelings of rejection, insecurity and low self-esteem. We all feel those emotions from time to time, but when they become chronic or debilitating to the point one has lost their quality of life, it is time to seek help. Our emotions can also play havoc with our physical health, resulting in a variety of illnesses and unexplained aches and pains.

"Gut Feelings" is truly an inspirational story of a woman who has suffered from emotional rejection, eating disorders and obesity. Like many othe emotional compulsive disorders and addictions, there is no quick fix and no overnight cure but there is, indeed, light at the end of the tunnel. The book is not just for those suffering from eating disorders, but for anyone who feels they are not in control of their life for whatever reason. Many individuals feel like a ship drifting aimlessly at sea, precariously floating from port to port beyond their control. If the reader has serious or chronic emotional difficulties qualified, professional therapy is by far the best option; however, the book can provide some helpful suggestions in gaining control one's life. While it is true that what works for one does not necessarily work for everyone, readers will find Carnie Wilson tells a gutsy, inspiring story.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carnie.....Bringing Out Hope For the Obese, October 20, 2001

By 

Lynne Richards (Clarksville, Tn. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gut Feelings: From Fear and Despair to Health and Hope (Hardcover)

Carnie Wilson.....famous daughter of Brian Wilson, an accomplished musician, songwriter and singer....and now thanks to her courage to undergo a major life change by having gastric bypass surgery, has opened the door of hope and health for the morbidly obese. Thank you Carnie....for your honesty and frankness about your life story and what it took to change your physical body and become a healthy person again. You have inspired me and hundreds of others who are morbidly obese. I will be having surgery in the near future and wish to begin a new journey of health and happiness within. Thanks for educating me about morbid obesity and by your actions making me look at myself in the mirror and face the music. I love your book...in fact when I received it, I read it in a day's time. For anyone who is morbidly obese(100 lbs. over your ideal weight), or has a loved one with this disease, I strongly recommend reading "Gut Feelings: From Fear and Despair to Health and Hope".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting autobiography, December 14, 2001

By 

Paula Emeigh "love to read!" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gut Feelings: From Fear and Despair to Health and Hope (Hardcover)

I don't usually read autobiographies, but this is one I couldn't put down. Carnie was so open and honest about her life.
Some people may find her language offensive, but if you aren't bothered by a certain 4 letter word, then you should be okay.
This book will open your eyes to what Carnie and millions of other overweight individuals have to deal with every day. Her surgery was certainly not the easy way out. After the surgery it takes hard work and dedication to acheive the goal of weight loss. My only drawback in rating this book is that there is more of Carnie's story to tell. And since I am not interested in the surgery I found the Q&A section to be something I didn't need to read. If Carnie writes a follow up to this book, I will certainly take the time to read it.
Buy this book if you are interested in Carnie, and/or interested in bypass surgery!