Weight Loss Surgery Books and Reference Materials

Hello,  As a pre-op I am in the intense "I want to Read and Know EVERYTHING" phase.  So forgive me if I am rather tedious right now.  But for what it might be worth  I thought I'd share some of the books I've purchased recently.  I found both to be very informative and confidence-building.

1.  Exodus from Obesity: A Guide to Long-Term Success after WLS by Pamela Peck.  This is a pretty hard-hitting perspective that emphasizes the need for making and keeping those life-style changes.  The behavior modification aspects are very in line with other materials I'm reading.  Also, quite motivating, I thought. 2.  Considering WLS: The Facts You Need to Know for a Healthy Recovery by Glenn Ihde, MD - a surgeon's perspective.  Straight forward and also hard-hitting on the heath risk trade-offs.   Both books are written wrt RNY.  But the behavior mod aspects are universal.  I've also purchased the Dummies Guide to WLS (really like it).  Anyone else have any books they'd recommend to a newbie?  Or and oldie?  Take good care - Treading

I haven't read it... but I know people that LOVE Susan Maria's book.  She runs the bariatric eating website.  It's supposed to be really good & have great recipes for post op in it. http://www.bariatriceating.com/buybobeandaf.html

Thanks for posting about this. I'm actually in the same mood as you! I JUST ordered Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies and Mindless Eating (because Dr. Wagner talks about it so much LOL). Oh and I got both for $16.xx with shipping from Buy.com!

I have read both Carnie Wilson books "Gut Feelings"  and " I'm Still Hungry"  Both where really good.

Hi there,      Great, more book ideas.  Jen - buy.com?  That's a new one for me.  And I thought I was so clever.  I picked up on Wagner's use of the Mindless Eating term, too.  I'll look for that book for sure.      I find this site so helpful.  But the books provide an organizational tool that is invaluable.  Of course, I haven't had my initial consult yet (that's this Monday) so I may be going to get some materials then for helping to organize and prepare.  I need the help. LOL.  I have to practice and get into habits as a pre-op.  I've begun some good stuff:  daily weigh in and logging, Atkin's diet (high protein, low carb NO sugar) and water intake and daily swimming.  I want to begin a few others soon - diary of food intake, journaling and de-caffeination (weep, sniff).  I haven't measured portions since my last WW diet some years ago now.  I don't even know if I could find the scale.   So, much to do.  Well, all in good time.  Treading

Hi - I read Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies which was really practical and helpful. I also read one about preparing for surgery - I was very nervous so that helped a lot too.  Good luck!

I read WLS for Dummies, Exodus from Obesity, The Real Skinny on WLS, Life After Gastric Bypass, Mindless Eating and The Emotional First Aid Kit.  You can find all of them on Amazon.com.  I also ordered Eating Well After WLS, Recipies for Life After WLS, and The High Protein Cookbook - all of which are cookbooks.  But I am still waiting on delivery.  :-)

Hi Umber,  Love your modified Serenity Prayer!  That's quite a list you've got going.  How'd you like the Life After Gastric Bypass book?  I'm too far away from a surgery date to be very interested in recipes yet but I am keen to get into some of the behavior mod stuff.  Thanks, Treading 

Still working on that one, about half way through.  I finished Emotional First Aid (very short), the Dummies book, the Real Skinny on WLS book.  I'm am half way through Exodus from Obesity and Life After Gastric Bypass.  I LOVE Dr. Wagner's favorite book - Mindless Eating.  It's not about WLS but it's still REALLY interesting and lets me be deliberate about tricking myself and setting up more sucessful situations.   I'm a reader, it helps me deal with stress.  I am packing magazines for in the hospital as well as putting some new books on my mp3 player so I can listen when I'm just a little too loopy to actually read.  As an insomniac it helps to bring stuff to do while the rest of the world sleeps.  :-)  I did read a suggestion to keep your hospital stuff short & or light reading (ie. magazines instead of novels) since the pain meds don't really help you read War & Peace.  I'm also getting REALLY nervous not that we get down to having my last appointment or two and the date is in sight, so I'm starting to re-read some of my favorite trashy reads - good easy beach books, etc. 

I highly recommend Susan Maria Leach's book "Before and After"  It has excerpts from her diary before and after her surgery and tons of recipes and good ideas to help you manage.  I bought a couple of WLS Cookbooks that were good, the best one is "Recipes for Life After WLS" by Margaret Furtado and Lynette Schultz.  In both books, there are recipes you can use right away for your shakes when you are on liquids.  I found that having these recipe books helped a lot with the "Last Supper Syndrome" mentioned in another thread because I didn't feel I was going to be missing out on anything.  Jacquie has seen both of these books, and approved them.  The only thing I would say I disagree with is in the Before and After book, Susan Maria says something like you don't have to watch your carbs as carefully at first so you can have mashed potatoes and stuff like that, which Jacquie says no to and I agree.  I wouldn't do that, because you're restarting a bad habit.