Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies [Paperback]

Marina S. Kurian MD (Author), Barbara Thompson (Author), Brian K. Davidson (Author), Al Roker (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2005

Get the scoop on weight loss surgery

Your authoritative guide to weight loss surgery -- before, during, and after

Considering weight loss surgery? This compassionate guide helps you determine whether you qualify and gives you the scoop on selecting the best center and surgical team, understanding today's different procedures, and achieving the best results. You also get tips on eating properly post-op and preparing appetizing meals, as well as easing back into your day-to-day life.

Discover how to
* Evaluate your surgical options
* Understand the risks
* Prepare for surgery
* Handle post-op challenges
* Find sources of support

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get the scoop on weight loss surgery

Your authoritative guide to weight loss surgery — before, during, and after

Considering weight loss surgery? This compassionate guide helps you determine whether you qualify and gives you the scoop on selecting the best center and surgical team, understanding today's different procedures, and achieving the best results. You also get tips on eating properly post-op and preparing appetizing meals, as well as easing back into your day-to-day life.

Discover how to

• Evaluate your surgical options
• Understand the risks
• Prepare for surgery
• Handle post-op challenges
• Find sources of support

About the Author

Marina S. Kurian, MD: Dr. Marina Kurian grew up in New York City and attended Stuyvesant High School. She graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree from Union College and received her MD from Albany Medical College. Dr. Kurian completed her General Surgery training at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. She completed fellowships in Surgical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Surgical Critical Care at Children’s Hospital of Michigan at Wayne State University. Dr. Kurian is Board Certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She received advanced laparoscopic training at Mount Sinai Medical Center and started her practice in July 2000. She brought the technique of laparoscopic weight loss surgery to Lenox Hill Hospital and continues to keep the weight loss program at Lenox Hill Hospital at the highest caliber. As a recognized expert in the field of obesity surgery, she has spoken at many national and international meetings on the topic of obesity. She is the author of many articles and book chapters on laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Kurian is active in the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Barbara Thompson: Barbara Thompson is a gastric bypass patient, author, professional speaker, and national spokesperson for obesity sensitivity. She battled a weight problem from the day she was born. When she finally admitted to herself in her late twenties that her “baby fat” was turning into a serious problem, she began dieting earnestly, only to diet her way to morbid obesity. Over her adult life she experienced the very common pattern of losing weight, regaining it, and adding a few additional pounds. When her weight reached 264 pounds and a herniated disk in her back was causing her to face disability, she knew she was in trouble. She decided to have the life-altering gastric bypass surgery in January 2000 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Barbara Thompson is a national speaker on weight loss surgery, obesity sensitivity, and getting control of your life and is the author of Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You. She hosts the patient Web site www.wlscenter.com.

Brian K. Davidson: Mr. Davidson is the cofounder and publisher of WLS Lifestyles magazine, a must-read publication for those who are researching, considering, or have had weight loss surgery. Brian has been featured on television, spoken at various industry events, and consulted with leading industry professionals and patients. He has authored several articles for the weight loss surgery community. He is a passionate advocate and dedicated to improving obesity awareness and increasing public education for this devastating disease. Brian can be contact via the WLS Lifestyles Magazine website at www.wlslifestyles.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (May 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764584472
• ISBN-13: 978-0764584473
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marina S. Kurian, MD: Dr. Marina Kurian grew up in New York City and attended Stuyvesant High School. She graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree from Union College and received her MD from Albany Medical College. Dr. Kurian completed her General Surgery training at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. She completed fellowships in Surgical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Surgical Critical Care at Children's Hospital of Michigan at Wayne State University. Dr. Kurian is Board Certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She received advanced laparoscopic training at Mount Sinai Medical Center and started her practice in July 2000. She brought the technique of laparoscopic weight loss surgery to Lenox Hill Hospital and continues to keep the weight loss program at Lenox Hill Hospital at the highest caliber. As a recognized expert in the field of obesity surgery, she has spoken at many national and international meetings on the topic of obesity. She is the author of many articles and book chapters on laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Kurian is active in the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever wanted to know about WLS and more September 17, 2006

By K. A. Mills

Format:Paperback

I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone considering weight loss surgery. It will become a valuable tool in helping you make your decision. Should you decide to have WLS, it will guide you through the numerous tests and insurance hurdles, the hospital stay, potential complications, post-op diet, and post-op emotions.

I read this book three times on my journey towards WLS. I'm now a couple of weeks post-op and continue consulting it several times a week.

One of the authors is the surgeon that Al Roker selected for his weight-loss surgery (before she had written this book). Roker wrote a short intro to the book that explains how he extensively researched WLS and interviewed eight surgeons before selecting Dr. Kurian. Roker has the money to go to any surgeon in the world, and the fact that he chose Dr. Kurian among the eight that he interviewed emphasizes Kurian's expertise in the field.

What impressed me most about this book was that the authors provided reliable and exhaustive information but didn't try to "sell" the readers on having this surgery.

Unlike most other WLS books, this one covers not only the standard Roux-en-Y and its variations but also other procedures increasingly being considered by patients, such as Lap-Band and bibliopancreatic diversion. Less common procedures are also described. After a description of each procedure, the authors provide a list of pros and cons to that procedure.

Every step of the journey towards WLS is explained in detail here, including the numerous tests the surgeon will require, getting insurance approval, the hospital stay, the post-op diet, potential complications, and psychological factors. It is truly exhaustive.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE THINKING ABOUT THIS SURGERY!!! December 15, 2005

By A. L. Sadberry

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have researched most info on line...this book would have saved me the time and effort spent scouring the web for input. I love the layout of this book, taking time to comment on each stage in the process of changing your life. Even a section on "Is this surgery right for you". I call it my wls bible. I was pleasently surprised to find a foreword by Al Roker. I'm really excited about the course I am choosing for myself and this book is a wonderful guide to help me along the way. It should be required reading for anyone thinking about making this huge life changing decision.

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive information, great reference pre & post op August 1, 2005

By L. Jensen

Format:Paperback

I purchased this book shortly before my surgery. I was impressed with how thorough it was. It re-verified the information that I had received from my surgeon and local support group but also gave ideas for many recipes and discussed the non-physical changes more in depth than even my surgeon's handbook did.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent basic introduction to the subject August 2, 2012

By Book Mark

Format:Paperback

I guess probably the best way I can be helpful in this review is to help you decide if this book is for you. First of all, the authors have written the book specifically for people for whom the following is true:

-You or someone you love has severe obesity.
-You want to learn more about weight loss surgery.
-You've already tried and failed at many different weight loss methods.
-You've already had the surgery and you want to keep your weight down.
-Being obese has become your identity.
-You're ready to step up and change your life.
-You're ready to lose weight permanently.

The organization of the book is sensible and orderly. The five sections include:

Is Weight Loss Surgery For You?
Preparing for Surgery
The Hospital and Beyond
Ensuring Success
Myths and Misconceptions

Typical for the Dummies series, the language is clear and simple. It never gets very technical, so information-hounds may need to dig deeper than this book goes. Clearly, these are the basics, and very well laid out. For an ideal introduction to the subject, I can't see how you could beat this book.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a awesome awesome book! May 6, 2006

By C. Christopher

Format:Paperback

Wherever I go when I have this book it's title attracts attention! The book has everything from is this surgery right for you? To recipies and even has a excerpt frm Al Roker. If you are having surgery or even thinking about having it get this book!

I am so happy that I read the reviews before I bought this book. I am anticpating surgery by summer 07. This is my WLS Bible. You will NOT be dissapointed getting this fablous book.

It explains the surgery, what to expect, the day before surgery, what happens in the hospital etc....

I love this book and it will be with me untill I have my surgery,good luck to those who want to or are contiplating to have surgery.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource March 8, 2006

By Katie Jay

Format:Paperback

I read this book from cover to cover, and found it to be excellent. As the director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery ([...]) I already had read a lot about weight loss surgery -- and I still learned quite a bit from this book! I highly recommend it to pre-ops and post-ops alike.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not current November 27, 2010

By Nurse Karen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book based on reviews and the reputation of the "Dummies" books. I was disappointed because much of the info is outdated although very basic info is ok. This book really covers Lap Band and R n Y Bypass. If you are considering VSG or DS look for another book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Covering All the Bases August 22, 2007

By Heidi

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Of all the books I've read regarding WLS, this is, by far, the most comprehensive. It covers everything from making the decision and dealing with insurance companies to post-op healing and the life-long impact surgery has.

I can't speak highly enough about this book and would suggest it for anyone having (or considering) bariatric surgery.