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 Description
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.
