WLS Book Poll

Good Morning everyone! I am currently conducting some research and I am hoping that you can all answer a couple of questions: 1. What WLS books, if any, did you read prior/post surgery? 2. What did you like about the books? Was it the information? Was it the fact that you could relate to what the author was saying? Was it the authors tone? Was it inspirational? Did it give you hope for a brighter future? Etc.. 3. Was there anything that you didn't like about the books? Was there anything missing that you would've liked to have seen? You can respond directly to this thread or send me an e-mail. My e-mail is linked through my profile. Don't worry if you feel that you are repeating information. The more responses, the better. Thanks folks, Tony

Hey Tony, I read Susan Maria's Book (I forget the title). I generally liked the book because it contained a lot of recipes for protein shakes and things I could eat on the full liquid stage. I mainly liked it for the recipes in the back and because of Susan Maria's journal-type chapters. I felt like I was reading her diary as she went through post-op life and I liked that. I don't really know that I could "relate" to her other than us both having weight problems because we come from vastly different backgrounds. Anyway, yes, it did give me much hope for a bright future that I could be successful like her and still live a normal life. I also read "Exodus from Obestiy". I forgot the author's name, but she was a nurse, I think. Anyway, this book was more informative all-around because it discussed the different types of surgeries, what I could expect at various post-op intervals and offered tips on how to deal wth the emotional and social changes that go with massive weight loss. She also discussed plastic surgery for loose skin issues. I consulted this book several times as a post-op. I don't know that thee was anything that I didn't like about the books. Taken together, the both provided me with good solid, information - plus coming to OH helped as well. I would like someone to write about post-op life after 18 months - what we could do to ensure long-term success and what to do if we fall off the wagon. Good luck with your survey. Tracy

I've never read a WLS book, but probably would have pre-op if I'd known they existed. I read hundreds, perhaps thousands of profiles in the year and a half I've been here - everyone's story sounds familiar, and yet is unique unto themselves. --BT

Besides Susan Maria's book, I loved the Carnie Wilson books. In fact, I read those while in the hospital after RNY. JudyAnne

Tony, WLS for Dummies was pretty good. Direct easy to jump through facts. I started the Susan Maria book, because it was touted on the AMOS site so positively, but I confess that I didn't find much value in it. Dr. Terry Simpson's book was a "fun read" but his online live chats were far more informative and engaging. Most Pre-Op "reading" was web-searches aimed at specific topics. I would see a topic discussed online at Obesity Help (then A.M.O.S.) and then go off to research it on my own. Post-Op recipes were useful, and the web has 1000's of them. Sugarbane's site and many of the diabetes or Low-Carb lifestyle sites had tons of WLS friendly recipes. The "Abs Diet" seems almost written for RNY folks. The "Positives" from the books were- those that had useful information with some sources to back up the claims, rather than writings that were just-"here's my take on it." Yes? Also, books that were easily navigated or broken into distinct "Blocks of Information" were very helpful. It's beneficial to be able to get right to an answer without wading through a "Journey" sometimes. That said, the profiles on this site that are journal format, blow by blow accounts of the process were also useful. By the way- Congratulations on your loss! Drop by the Men's Message Board, at- http://obesityhelp.com/forums/men/posts.html We men make up such a small percentage (12% to 19% depending on the study) of the people having Weight Loss Surgery, but tend to reach our goal weights quicker and with less hassles than the Gals due to Male physiology. Check out what other men like you are going through. It's a diverse make up of Dads, Singles, Older, younger, etc...Pre-Ops, Post-Ops new and some Old (at Goal) Post-Ops. Lap-Banders, RNY'ers DS, etc...Just a great bunch of guys with the mutual understanding that WLS, for Men, can be a totally different Journey. Best Wishes- Dx