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Summary: The Ultimate in Weight Loss Surgery Information!
Review: A heartfelt thank you to Michelle Boasten for the time and effort in putting this book together. With so much information floating around about weight loss surgeries, her book gives you the information in a thought-provoking manner while letting the reader decide if this life saving surgery is for them. I especially enjoyed Chapter 5, "Are you a Candidate for Surgery", with the comprehensive checklist. Chapter 7, "Dealing with your Insurer" gives excellent information to get through this hurdle. The illustrations, the medical terms are all spelled out in layman's term making the book an easy read. Thanks again Michelle and much success to those seeking Weight Loss Surgery. Larice White
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Summary: Tells some but not enough
Review: A quick glance at the cover and you know you are not dealing with a medical journal so I'm not sure why other reviewers are holding the book to that standard. This book is particularly helpful if you are already pretty sure you want to go through with a WLS procedure. Go elsewhere if you want diagrams and the latest scientific data. But for an honest how-to for dealing with your insurance company (one of your biggest challenges as a WLS patient), this was superb. My insurance has paid, 100%. Thanks, Michelle! The checklists throughout the book and PDF available on her Web site have been so helpful (e.g. what to bring to the hospital, things to take care of before the surgery). Ms. Boasten writes compassionately and sincerely.
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Summary: Just what I needed
Review: A quick glance at the cover and you know you are not dealing with a medical journal so I'm not sure why other reviewers are holding the book to that standard. This book is particularly helpful if you are already pretty sure you want to go through with a WLS procedure. Go elsewhere if you want diagrams and the latest scientific data. But for an honest how-to for dealing with your insurance company (one of your biggest challenges as a WLS patient), this was superb. My insurance has paid, 100%. Thanks, Michelle! The checklists throughout the book and PDF available on her Web site have been so helpful (e.g. what to bring to the hospital, things to take care of before the surgery). Ms. Boasten writes compassionately and sincerely.
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Summary: Light weight (no pun intended)
Review: Although interesting to read, this is definitely a light weight book and does not necessarily envoke deep thinking on the subject. But since there truly are very few published personal accounts of weight loss surgery, this is interesting to read.
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Summary: Angel4Law@aol.com
Review: Angel4Law@aol.com "The feelings I had when I finished Michelle's Bolsten's book was that of an astonishing one. Michelle takes you back to her childhood, to life before during and after surgery. There is a feeling of peacefulness and serenity as you read her book. Due to Michelle's, narrative skills, as she travels though this journey, you feel as if you are on the journey with her. You can feel her emotions, from her roller coaster, yo-yo diets, to her feelings of guilt. Yet through it all she maintained a sense of humor. With her wit she became a wonderland of knowledge, with a fascination for more knowledge and understanding. She never accepted man's logic of the way things were. Even at early childhood Michelle maintained emotional control and equilibrium. At age seven she was curious, and at age eleven, she developed her own theory. While in college she researched, challenged, and researched again until she found the answer. (Weight Loss Surgery). It seems that this was a long journey, for Michelle, but through this book, she is able to lead and guides others every step of the way. What more can you ask for in a book? As a RN, JD, with experience appealing insurance claims, I am particularly impressed with Chapter Seven, "Dealing with Your Insurers." Every chapter in this remarkable book is a learning experience. The heartfelt emotions as you read every line in the book, make this book a gift to all that read the book. B.Huey RN, JD
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Summary: Some good information but...
Review: As someone who is considering weight loss surgery, I must say that I was really looking forward to reading this book. I have done a great deal of research on the various weight loss surgeries and was interested in a personal point of view. However, Ms. Boasten does make some assumptions about certain things that are simply NOT true and she also seems to "guess" at a few things rather than research them.For example, on page 148 where she is discussing the side effects of the surgery, she writes about halitosis being a possible side effect. She then says "I'm not sure about the explanation of why this occurs, but if it does, some Altoids, your dentist or dental hygenist should be able to help you." A small amount of research would have determined that the most likely cause of halitosis amongst weight loss patients is ketosis. When a body is not getting enough carbohydrates, it often goes into ketosis (high fat burning mode) and one of the side effects of this is very bad breath. A very simple explanation and yet she did not even mention it. Another problem is that there are no references. Any book that has information about medical procedures should have documented proof in the form of references for the information presented. I am left wondering how of the book was researched and how much was based on hearsay or personal opinion or speculation. There are also some problems with the editing and page layout. I found several typos and there are also numerous "widows and orphans" throughout the book. A "widow" is when the header of a paragraph is shown at the end of one page while the actual paragraph doesn't show up until the next page. An "orphan" is when a paragraph is at the end of a page except for the last 2 or 3 words and those get placed at the top of the next page. In the publishing world these are two big mistakes. They look bad and they make the text flow poorly for the reader. The first time I read through the book, I was very impressed. I felt like I was finally getting some answers to the nagging questions that no one seemed to be able to tell me (i.e. what to expect at the hospital, etc.). However, upon further review, I am not sure if I am comfortable "taking her word for it" since there seem to be some questions about certain parts of the book. Overall, I do think the book has enough good things to be recommended to anyone considering weight loss surgery. However, I must recommend that anyone reading the book should do their own research and not simply rely on what you find here. Your experiences may be very different and your own research may find different answers than what is presented here.
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Summary: Excellent resource of Information
Review: Excellent resource of Information which includes first hand knowledge Michelle Boasten takes the reader on a step by step journey into weight loss surgery (WLS). This book is for any person or members of their family considering or embarking on the WLS journey. Michelle writes in a very open and informative manner. This informative writing style I'm sure comes from her first hand knowledge of WLS. The book is well written, informative direct and honest. There were confirmations of my thoughts (which I thought no one else understood) and suggestions for things that I had never thought about. This book has been a constant resource of information as I embark on my own weight loss journey. The book is written for the lay person. BRAVO to Michelle for breaking the mystery of WLS.
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Summary: Wow
Review: Finally I find a book that speaks to me about morbid obesity. I know why, how, and the answer. I have had people in my life read this book and it had opened their eyes to what I have to deal with everyday, and what I'm going through in my journey to WLS. Read this book if you are even considering WLS.
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Summary: Information the brain and the soul!! Just a wonderful book
Review: I already had a surgery date when I received the book , but I still wanted to find out about post op experiences.I read this book cover to cover the first day. I wish I had discovered it in the beginning of my journey becasue it would have made everything in the process much easier, but the book is about so much more than just dry research found in other books. The author shares so much of her feelings about her weight experience, I felt like I knew her personally. I could relate to so much of her story, I felt she was writing about me. I have never felt so understood. I would reccomend this book for everyone. Even if your not considering surgery, this book offers some amazing reflections about the obese experience in America
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Summary: Takes away much of the fear of the unknown.
Review: I am one who prefers many details on a subject,however,this book does provide good information and great references on WLSs. The beginning talks about challenges and feelings of the obese & morbidly obese. I thought "So what. I already know." But I had forgotten much of it. I have been obese for so long that I automatically avoid problem situations and had forgotten the joy and security I had prior to years of dieting.This book addresses the real issues around obesity and WLS without being negative yet doesn't whitewash it either. I feel much more confident now at the beginning of my WLS journey.
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