Rating: 
Summary: I love this book!
Review: In the journal type section, I felt as if Susan was speaking directly to me. Black and white explanations as to why our post op nutrition is so important plus recipes to keep us on track. I love her chapters on Protein shakes, and Soups Purees & Soft Foods as this is the stage where I am right now at one month out of RNY surgery. Thank god for her shrimp salad and egg custards! I am not a major cook and yet I find her recipes easy to follow plus they dont assume that I know how to do anything. Some recipes are more for company or special dinners but the majority are easy enough for me. I am excited about trying many of them once I am further along. Loved seeing the writer on the TODAY SHOW. She is my new hero.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for Atkins dieters, too
Review: My wife bought this to be prepared for bariatric surgery, but looking through it I think there's lots of applicability for my non-surgical Atkins-type diet, too. Most of the recipes are high protien and low carb; perfect. Looking forward to some of the holiday treats.
Rating:
Summary: Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss S
Review: Susan Maria has done an outstanding job with her book. As a WLS patient this book is like my Bible!! Susan's journey is sooo inspirering to me that I cried and laughed my way through her incrediable WL journey. Susan takes her foods to new levels of wonderful, I have begun making her recipes and my family LOVES coming to the dinner table.
Susan thank you sooo much for doing this book for us, it is a MUST have for all post op.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Susan Maria's book was so easy to read and had so much information for a postop and preop patient. She shares her incredible journey and the receipes are wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Susan's book has really motivated me to get back on track with my eating. She offers great recipes and advice to keep me on track throughout my WLS journey.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected.
Review: The recipes are not user friendly for every day working families. I need ingredients that are readily assessable at the local grocery store on my drive home from the office. Not items that needed to be tracked down through the Internet + S&H. Keep it simple, obtainable and cost effective or I lose interest. Zzzzzzz zzzzz zzz!
Rating:
Summary: Good Cookbook!
Review: The story was nice, and shows the good side of the surgery, which I can relate to! Mine was TOTALLY uneventful and I have had no problems whatsoever.
My fave part of the book are the recipes! I made alot of her recipes early on and they were delicious!
JoLynn
Rating: 
Summary: Good Not Great
Review: There are so few good, well-balanced books about the bariatric surgery experience (from the patient's viewpoint). Thus,it is hard to "compare" this book to what constitutes a very small field. However, this book is helpful in sharing some of the key experiences and challenges of most RNY pre and postop patients. Susan's enthusiasm for her life and acceptance of her choice and it's consequences are inspiring themes interwoven in her text. I was disappointed in the lack of balanced attention to the issue of exercise. Many bariatric patients continue to overemphasize food, and diet issues at the expense of understanding that essentially you have to exercise (i.e. "sweat")consistently at least 4-5 days per week to maximize the benefits of your pouch. This very important aspect of the successful weight loss surgery experience is barely mentioned in this book.In addition, the embedded "advertisement" for a particular vitamin is misleading. The one size fits all (or most) approach to a vitamin regimen can be dangerous for many patients. A patient may "start" with the regimen proposed by their surgeon but over time and with careful attention to how their body responds to the combination of reduced food intake, their particular exercise routine (if they institute one), their stage of life, stress levels, other medical conditions, etc.... The weight loss patient may need to alter or customize their vitamin regimen accordingly. The brand of vitamin that Susan clearly endorses may not always "work" for every bariatric patient. Her text stops short at issues of absorption, which is an oversimplification of a serious aspect of the weight loss experience. Her book is a helpful general exploration of the weight loss surgery experience that should be supplemented by additional information for a more balanced perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: Not What I Expected!!
Review: This book doesn't have much information that I needed for my weight loss surgery. Most of the recipes seem to be for post ops who are over a year out and many that just sound too much bother to make with too many "off the wall" ingredients (that I would have to go out and shop for or order online). I need meals that are fast and easy to prepare, not a recipe for a Bloody Mary that contains 12 ingredients.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent Fair
Review: This book is absolutely wonderful. Susan Maria's story is inspiring and true to her heart. She is a wonderful example of someone who has put their mind over matter and made a difference in the lives of the pre op person and especially the post op person. The recipes in the book look amazing. I haven't tried any yet but only because I just got the book and haven't had time. But I have tried recipes from her website bariatric eating.com in the past and those have always been delicious and quick. The book is top notch as is Susan Maria. Two thumbs UP!!
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