"If someone asked me, I could write a book"... help me out!

IF - and this is strictly hypothetical at this point - you were to read a book about a 20-something's experience with WLS - what kind of topics would you expect/want to be covered? I ask because tomorrow I have to give my Advanced Writing professor a proposal for my semester-long writing project that is to be a PUBLISHABLE work, preferably a 300+ page book on a topic of my choosing.  He will help me get it published, actually part of the assignment is submitting my work to publishers with the help and recomendation from my prof.  So, like, in May, I could be a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.  Really truly.  One of the 4-5 topics I am tossing around is my experience with WLS.  However I am not completely sure if it is a broad enough experience to appeal to people and take up 300 pages...so...what do you think? If I were to write a book - heck, if YOU were to write a book about your experience with WLS - what topics would you cover?

This is a re-post from an answer I gave on the RNY board.  A counselor asked if we could have a counselor/therapist/etc be knowledgeable about WLS and it's implications, what would we want covered.  This is what I said: Lora, that proposal sounds like a FABULOUS idea!  I am still pre-op but have read enough blogs to anticipate mental issues that are quickly headed my way.  A lot f my "research" is based on 20-somethings but I am sure it could probably apply to a broad range of ages. 1.  How do post-ops deal with their emotions now if they used to eat for comfort?  I have found that I write in a journal more or you know, actually TALK to people (lol) instead of eating it all away. 2.  How do I live life as a thin person?  I have spent my entire life as a "fat chick".  You know, the funny one, the sidekick, the one who is there to make the skinny friend look better.  Will I like myself as a thin person?  Will I become a shallow self-absorbed one of THEM? 3. Body dysmorphia.  As of now, when I look in the mirror I don't see myself being as big as I am.  It's not until I look at photographic evidence that I see what I truly look like.  HOWEVER, I feel that as a post-op I will have this in the reverse.  I will still see myself as fat because my brain won't have caught up with my body.  So I will still see myself as a size 24 even though I'm wearing a 16. 4.  Now, what happens once I'm losing weight and have better health, but I get depressed because of the extra skin/hair loss?  I know NOW it's a matter of putting it in perspective but I guarantee you when it happens to me I'll feel a little down all the same. 5.  How do I respond to people's questions about how I'm losing weight?  What do I do when people belittle my choice to have surgery or make me feel like a failure for not "exercising and dieting more"? 6.  How do I cope with the compliments and attention from people (opposite sex or otherwise) which I have never received before? 7.  How do I reassure my spouse I do not intend to leave them now that I am "hot"?  OR How do I deal with my marriage/relationship now that my SO feels threatened/inadequate/fearful/unsupportive about my weight loss? 8.  If I have complications, how do I deal with them in a positive way and remind myself WHY I had this surgery in the first place? 9.  What if I can't stomach the thought of food or everything makes me nauseous? 10.  What to do when friends (typically female) start ignoring or hating me because I have lost weight?  Especially if the friends were overweight as well? And someone else added: Transfer addiction.  As in, an addiction to food transferring over to an addiction to something else (anyone with an experience like this?)

That is awesome - and I think I experience with most of those things, and if I haven't had to personally I've met people through OH who have.  Now it is a matter of putting experiences into words....hmmmm..... 

Addiction transfer.....I actually got a call from the Oprah show last year. They wanted to have me on. But I told them I didn't have an addiction transfer. I did go through a semi wild party drinking phase. But that was more out of social awkwardness. I didn't know how to deal with all the newfound attention I would get when I went out, so I would drink to feel more comfortable. But thankfully I worked out that issue. If anything my addiction is still food and it always will be.

So im not the only one to go through the crazy party phase?? I had no idea what kind of changes to expect! Obviously addiction transfer and food issues were discussed but none of the social changes, body image issues or anything of the sort were brought up in my pre-op process I really needed that. I dont know if it helps you decide at all but it would be so useful for us.

Lots of good ideas, Amy.  I know I'd enjoy reading a book based on the WLS journey of a 20-something.

I'm still not sure if that is the legacy I want...I am proud of my WLS and where I am, but I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather do my first book on something I might be able to use to get into graduate school (for example - Women in modern Middle Easter countries and how their "freedoms" differ from country to country...that is something that would look really good to graduate school admission boards...hmmm...but it is also somewhat boring....) Oh well, anyway - Josh got in on the fun in the picture post.  When do we get to see your handsome mug? 

Oh that is SOOO cool. I really want to write a book myself.  I would definitely write about relationships. How they changed between, family, friends, and men.  My head issues,  the exciting WOW moments.  The constant struggles.  I have no doubt once you got started the words would tumble out. Good luck!

That's wonderful Amy!  Whooooo hoooo!  I'll buy your book- wether its about WLS or Middle Eastern Women! My additions would be: * Feelings * Attention * Addictions * Relationships * Body Dysmorphia * Shopping in Reality * Eating/Drinking * Night Light * Getting Back into the Light LOL, some are kinda funny and weird!

Amy, Why wouldn't this piece (if you choose to do it) help you get into grad school? I am just asking as a person who is having enough difficulty finishing my 4-year (and more than likely never plans on attaining a grad degree)? I mean, obesity is a HUGE problem in american society. Plus, what other papers would they be reading about WLS? Again, I am just posing this question, it is not an attack on any other topics you were thinking about and I am not on any graduate school admission boards. So, if you were to do a book on this...  In addition to all the other great topics that have already been suggested, I would love to read about the stigma of WLS. Is it the easy way out? Why do people perceive it that way, even if it isn't? Why isn't it viewed the same way as people who have heart surgery? If they had eaten healthier, chances are they wouldn't need it either.  Wishing you lots of love and luck, you brainiac!