George Cowan, Jr., MD, is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Medical School. He has been President of the American College of Nutrition, and Director for the Masters’ Course of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

William Y. Marcus, MD, is a retired Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at George Washington University Medical School. Dr. Marcus has over four decades of surgical experience, including twenty years specializing in bariatric surgery. He is founder and leader of a large, self-help obesity surgery-support group, serving hundreds of pre-op and post-op patients throughout the greater Washington, DC area.

Contents

A Word About Gender
Acknowledgments
Preface

Introduction

PART ONE: DECIDING IF WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY IS RIGHT FOR YOU
1. Know Your Enemy--Obesity and Obesity-Related Conditions
2. Do You Qualify for Surgery?
3. Which Option Is Right for You?
4. Making and Sharing Your Decision

PART TWO: YOUR JOURNEY FROM PRESURGERY TO RECOVERY
5. Support--An Essential Element
6. Your First Medical Appointment and Presurgical Tests
7. The Days Before and the Day of Surgery
8. What to Expect Immediately After Surgery
9. Your Arrival Home and the First Six Months

PART THREE: YOUR FUTURE--THIN AND HEALTHY FOR LIFE
10. Six Months and Beyond
11. Your Most Important Relationship: You
12. A Second Chance--Your Relationships with Others

PART FOUR: FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
13. How You Can Make a Difference Before Surgery
14. After Surgery, You Are Essential
Conclusion

Glossary
Resources
References
About the Authors
Index

Introduction

If you’ve picked up this book, chances are you are one of the nearly 16 million Americans who are overweight enough to be candidates for weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery. You are concerned about your health, and you want to do something to improve it. You are wise to be alarmed, since more than 300,000 deaths each year in this country stem from obesity and its related health conditions.

Perhaps you are one of the nearly 200,000 Americans who have decided to have weight-loss surgery this year, and you’re looking for some reliable information. Or maybe you haven’t yet made a decision, and you’re looking for some guidance. Or maybe your spouse, family member, or friend is readying for surgery and you want to know more about what’s involved and how you can help.

No matter which category you fall into, this book is for you. It is your comprehensive reference guide to weight-loss surgery and its short-term and long-term effects. It will guide you through the entire process--from the earliest inklings of contemplating surgery and the decision-making process to the surgery itself, recovery from the surgery, and long-term issues.

Part One of Weight-Loss Surgery: Is It Right for You? begins with the key issue of deciding if weight-loss surgery is a good choice for you. This surgery is a serious and complicated medical procedure, and the decision to take this step is quite complex and personal. Since it has the potential to alter every aspect of your health and life, this is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. It is essential to learn all you can in order to make the best decision. To help with your decision, this part defines the levels of obesity, from morbid obesity to end-stage obesity syndrome, as well as many of the health conditions that can accompany serious weight problems. Next, it discusses the qualifications for weight-loss surgery. Then, it details the various types of weight-loss surgery you may be considering, including the pros and cons of each. The final chapter in this part takes you through the process of choosing a surgeon and sharing your final decision with the people closest to you.

Part Two deals with what happens after you’ve made your decision to have surgery. It explains why it’s necessary to have a support system in place and where you can look for help. Then, you’ll find out what happens at your very first medical appointment. You’ll also learn what presurgical tests are required, how to prepare for surgery, what happens during the surgery itself, and what to expect at various stages of recovery. You’ll also receive some guidance on diet and exercise.

In Part Three, every aspect of your “second chance” is covered, including matters concerning your existing relationships, dating, and marriage. You’ll learn how to deal with the changes that can and will occur in your life and your relationships. Most important, you’ll get an up-close look at your most intimate relationship--you. It’s no secret that massive weight loss poses challenges to both your body image and self-image. This part will help guide you through those changes.

The support and understanding of your loved ones are essential elements in surgical success and long-term health. Therefore, Part Four is written specifically for people who know someone who plans to have weight-loss surgery and want to understand the procedure and help in anyway they can. It’s full of advice to help everyone make a smooth transition, before and after surgery.

Weight-loss surgery isn’t an easy, magical process where weight falls off and everyone lives happily ever after. While the results are dramatic, weight-loss surgery is a long, winding, and continually challenging road that involves much knowledge and a strong commitment. There may be some bumps along the way and a small risk of life-threatening complications. The full story is in this book, not just the wealth of good news but all of the news. Have a safe and successful journey.

Reviews

to come

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