Weight Loss Surgery : Understanding & Overcoming Morbid Obesity - Life Before, During & After Surgery (Paperback)

~ Michelle Boasten (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Contra Costa Times (San Francisco Newspaper)

The best advice and information there is... -- Teena Massingill, Contra Costa Times , March 30, 2001 --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Description

Are you one of the 58 million morbidly obese people in America today? Chances are, you've been on a diet after diet and failed miserably. But you should lay the blame where it belongs. You didn't fail the diet, nor did the diet fail you. Instead, look a little deeper and start to recognize that even if you could shed some excess pounds, the truth of the matter is that less than 1% of you will keep it off according to recent studies published by the National Institute of Health.

The theory that obesity is not your fault is not exactly new. Many morbidly obese people are not eating two, three or four times the amount of food for their bodies to grow and store "that much" excess fat. Genetic research is showing that the cause for obesity is not gluttony. Many morbidly obese people lead very active lives despite the physical limitations and challenges brought about by carrying an extra hundred pounds or more. Everything from Leptin to Dopamine receptors are being offered as real scientific evidence to show that obesity is not your fault. Many people have blamed themselves for so long that the thought that obesity may not be your fault is often dismissed. While you may not "eat right" or "exercise regularly", there are millions of normal size people who are not suffering with morbid obesity and they eat worse and their exercise habits are no better than that of many morbidly obese people. Everybody knows somebody who seems to “eat and not gain”.

Despite the closely held societal view that obesity is a matter of lack of self-control or lack of willpower, many people are beating themselves up for what is not their fault at all. In the newly published book on Weight Loss Surgery: Understanding & Overcoming Morbid Obesity, author and registered nurse Michelle Boasten offers a theory of obesity that helps the morbidly obese reader to understand and overcome morbid obesity through weight loss surgery.

Boasten explains that obesity may be the result of a broken down communication system in the body. Boasten also explains the painful reality of life in a morbidly obese body and walks the reader through developing their own philosophy of obesity and how to get out of the "prison" of a morbidly obese body.

At present, over 99% of all weight loss surgery patients are able to lose large amounts of excess weight and keep it off. Weight loss surgery isn't just the last hope; it is the only method of weight control that is documented to show a landslide victory when trying to overcome morbid obesity. Can anyone ignore such positive results?

Boasten explains the difference between the old "stomach stapling" and the weight loss surgery of today, which is gastric bypass surgery. "Many people are confused and don't understand how and why weight loss surgery works" says Boasten. "It's not just a matter of food intake, it's bypassing the part of the small intestine known as the duodenum that allows the person to keep the weight off." Reducing food alone will not result in a sustained weight loss for the genetically predisposed morbidly obese person.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: F B E Service Network (February 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931033013
• ISBN-13: 978-1931033015
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #698,880 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate in Weight Loss Surgery Information!, March 1, 2001

By	Larice White (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

A heartfelt thank you to Michelle Boasten for the time and effort in putting this book together. With so much information floating around about weight loss surgeries, her book gives you the information in a thought-provoking manner while letting the reader decide if this life saving surgery is for them. I especially enjoyed Chapter 5, "Are you a Candidate for Surgery", with the comprehensive checklist. Chapter 7, "Dealing with your Insurer" gives excellent information to get through this hurdle. The illustrations, the medical terms are all spelled out in layman's term making the book an easy read. Thanks again Michelle and much success to those seeking Weight Loss Surgery. Larice White

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book That Covers The Facts & Deals With The Fantasies, March 20, 2001

By	umsami "amazon-junkie since 1996" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Michelle has done a great job with her book. As somebody who has been actively researching WLS for over 2 years, I can honestly say that she doesn't leave out a thing. She talks about the genetic and scientific reasons behind morbid obesity; goes into depth about the 3 major surgery types (MGB, RNY, and DS); choosing a surgeon; dealing with insurance (her advice on documentation is probably worth the cost of the book); financing the surgery; and life pre- and post-op. I think that my favorite part of Michelle's book is where she addresses the Fantasies people have about life after WLS--I'll no longer be single, my marriage will improve, etc. If you are seriously considering surgery for clinically severe obesity (100+ pounds over recommended weight or BMI 40+), then you should buy this book. Research the surgery thoroughly--through this book, the web, your doctor, and talking to patients who've had WLS (both with positive and negative outcomes). On a negative side, I think there could have been more information on plastic surgery following WLS--everyone without exception who I've spoken to who has had WLS has needed significant plastic surgery due to excess skin. One friend says that even though she looks great in clothes, she would never consider wearing a bathing suit due to this problem. Two books I would recommend to those considering or going through WLS are "The Spark" by Glen Gaesser and "Fat?So!" by Marilyn Wann. Glenn's book will teach you how to fit 15 10-minute exercise sessions into your life per week. A very doable program, but with excellent results. Whether or not you have this surgery, you need to be active in order to prevent disease. Exercise will only make your WL easier, as well. Marilynn's book deals with fat empowerment/acceptance. It's going to take you at least a year to lose a significant amount of weight--why not learn to love yourself now? If you can do that, there's a greater chance that you will honor your body with appropriate decisions throughout your WLS experience--even if that includes not having surgery at this time.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Resoruce, April 21, 2001

By	Margaret Saunders (Portsmouth, va USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, UNDERSTANDING AND OVERCOMING MORBID OBESITY, Michelle Boasten provides extensive information for anyone seeking surgery for the super obesity disease (and valuable information for anyone seeking surgery, period). She names physical and emotional feelings that the super obese share. I was able to relate to 95% of the feelings she listed. In addition, she carefully walks you through preparation for surgery including insurance problems, financing the surgery, and physical/emotional preparation--she also covers complications and so forth. She asks some invaluable questions that we can use to determine if we are candidates for surgery. She prepares us for the aftercare, and discusses WLS as a tool, and not a cure. Our support system is very important and she drives that point home. She even explains the mechanics of the three current types of WLS. I highly recommend this book to anyone comtemplating WLS, and also to those who have already had it (and I recommend it for anyone dealing with insurance battles for any type of surgery). Peggy gives it TWO THUMBS UP!