Here is a list of GOOD resources for WLS.
This list is updated regularly. If you have anything you think should be added, please email me.
These are my personal reviews and descriptions. I am using a 5 star system.
BOOKS
***** Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies
By: Marina S. Kurian
If you were only going to purchase one book related to WLS, THIS SHOULD BE IT!!
Description and Review: This book answers every question you need to know about weight loss surgery. It is fair to all the surgeries, even talking about the ones that aren't as popular or well known, such as the VBG and DS. It has great recipes that I can't wait to try after my surgery. There are chapters about how to use your tool correctly for the rest of your life... this book is a MUST HAVE for anyone considering any type of weight loss surgery. You will not be sorry by buying this book. Even if you have done years of research and made up your mind as to which surgery to get, you will still have use for this book. If you are a newbie, and just learning, this is an AWESOME tool that will lead you in the right direction.
***** Weight Loss Surgery: A Lighter Look at a Heavy Subject.
By Terry Simpson, M.D.
Description and Review: Another GREAT, GREAT, weight loss surgery book. Buy this one and keep it in your WLS library!! It is well written, an easy read, and has tons of information with a bit a humor! The doctor who wrote it have performed numerous surgeries and is very knowledgeable. This book gives info on every WLS out there, even the ones that aren't out there any more. It tells how to use your tool to your benefit! Good vitamin information, and explains the stage eating. Great book... another MUST HAVE!!!
***** Exodus from Obesity
By: Paula Peck
Very intriguing book. She tells of her experience, gives information, tips and tells of the ins and outs of this surgery. What I like most is she give a lot of tips on the maintenance phase of surgery, and the lifestyle changes that are necessary for after surgery. It also gives info to help avoid binge eating, how to handle hunger, how to improve the way you see yourself. It is an easy read.
***** Eating Well After Wight Loss Surgery
By Pat Levine
Description and Review: I have not yet tried the recipes in this book; however, they look scrumptious. With the recipes in this book, I should never feel as if I am deprived in any way. What I like most is that it has foods and recipes FOR EVER STAGE after WLS. It also contains a lot of other great information.
***** The High Protein Cookbook
Even though this book is not specifically designed for the WLS patient, it has very good recipes in it. They are all high in protein and most are low in carbs. There are a few that have a high carb ingredient, but can be changed to our needs. I can’t wait to try some of the yummy recipes in here.
**** A Complete Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: Everything You Need to Know about Weight Loss Surgery and How to Succeed.
By Bryan G. Woodward
Description and Review: This is a great book for information about weight loss surgery. I found it useful and it answers alot of questions you may have. It discusses all of the surgery options that are out there. It is a bit more technical and less entertaining than the others. It is a good source to have in your weight loss surgery library.
**** Weight Loss Surgery
By Barbara Thompson
This book contains great personal experience along with good information about WLS. She gives you an idea of what to expect from the beginning of the process to long after. I recommend this book to pre or post ops.
***½ Before and After
By: Susan Maria Leach
This book is basically her diary. I was not looking for books that were basically diaries. While I was looking for personal experiences, I was also looking for tips, tricks, and information. While this is an ok book, I will not use it for reference, as it does not contain much “material.” The reason for the higher mark is due to half of the book containing recipes. We, as WLS patients, can always use them.
** Gut Feelings
By Carnie Wilson
Description and Review: Although I LOVED Wilson Phillips, and find Carnie a good spokesperson for WLS, I did not love this book. I found the book slow, dull, and repetitive, with no quality information. It is a good read as far as seeing someone else's struggle with morbid obesity, but not for trying to learn anything about the surgery itself. It tells of her struggles and reasoning for being MO, how she compares herself to others, all things that someone with MO is aware of. It was frustrating to read the same feelings and stories over and over; and, what I was most annoyed with was the tasteless and vulgar language throughout the book. Even if it was devoid of the crude language, I would have not been impressed. Okay read if you REALLY like Carnie, and just want a “story” more than information.
** I’m Still Hungry
By Carnie Wilson
Description and review: As with her first book, I was disappointed. There is little quality in this book when it comes to GBP. While there is information in there about some struggles and what it was like for her, the "meat" of the book was about her posing in playboy (which is wow for someone having been MO and “unacceptable” by society for so long), and being in love. The crude language remained, although it was not as bad as her first book, "Gut Feelings." Okay read if you REALLY like Carnie, and just want a “story” more than information.
I have these books on order and will review soon, please check back!
Other books I have not reviewed yet:
Exercise Videos:
Magazines:
Miscellaneous:
***** CalorieSmart
CalorieSmart provides you with nutritional information of over 35,000 food items, including items from over 250 restaurants and 500 brands. CalorieSmart is much more than a digital calorie calculator. It can be used to track your daily diet, log your exercise, and monitor how many calories you've burned. You can transfer your food and exercise diary to your Windows PC and create extensive reports and charts about your weight loss program.
***** Magic Bullet
I have not found someone who regrets investing in this! It is very versatile and easy to use. I LOVE it and use it EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
Other things you might need:
bravenet.com