Rating: 
Summary: Tells some but not enough
Review: I read this book and I too found it too simplistic. My 20 year old daughter, my 45 year old sister, my niece and her male friend have all had this surgery in the past year. All I can say is, I predict that there will soon be a backlash about this eerily popular surgery. One of my niece's friends had the surgery six months ago and has had constant health problems, several rehospitalizations, and ongoing problems because of the surgery. She is only 24 and is in a wheelchair because she is too weak to walk. My niece's male friend had to be hospitalized because he developed a bleeding ulcer in the pouch. He is only 25 years old. This surgery is NOT the ultimate and best solution for everyone. My daughter has daily stomach pain and vomits almost every day for various reasons, despite how careful she is about what and how much she eats. My sister and niece look almost gaunt and have not found the personal happiness they thought they would find. My daughter has lost 120 pounds and needs a support group to get through all the emotional changes the surgery causes. I read somewhere that this surgery gives you an increased chance of cancer of the esophagus. Anyone who is considering this surgery has to KNOW that nothing in life is free and in some cases you may just be trading one set of problems for another. My daughter seems gaunt, bony, and has to constantly eat protein and take vitamins to keep her body going. She should be at the peak of her health but she doesn't look like it to me. Also she has to take Depo Provera shots as you CANNOT get pregnant within the first two years of this surgery or you and the baby could die. Just be aware that this surgery changes your life permentanly and you may not find that you necessarily like all the changes, even if you think you might. What a culture we live in that fat people will resort to this just to reach this nirvana of thin so that society will be kinder to them. How very sad.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Informative
Review: I thought this book was very informative. I have done a lot of research on Weight Loss Surgery as I plan to have this procedure done in a few months. This book helped me understand a lot!
Rating:
Summary: Michelle's not alone
Review: I was given this book today and have not been able to put it down. It hits the nail on the head!Society may stop blaming,ridiculing and victimizing the morbidly obese, but a great deal of education needs to occur. Ms. Boasten is doing just that. Great book for anyone considering WLS!
Rating:
Summary: Elementary information about WLS
Review: In reading previous reviews of this book, which call it "the ultimate book on weight loss surgery" and a "great resource for WLS", my expectations were raised to an unrealistic level. The reality is, this is a very informative book that may not tell you everything you want to know, but probably most of what you need to know. Written by someone in the nursing profession who has experienced this type of surgery, parts of it come off like an elementary school science textbook. It could very well have been called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" (not an insult, by the way, just as a reference to the popular "Dummies" series of books). I did appreciate the fact that the author takes a Christian approach. As someone who is considering this type of surgery, I am often haunted with feelings that if I have WLS that it will be a "cop-out" and will be an admission that I can't "get the victory" over gluttony. But WLS is just a tool to help a person lose weight and keep it off, and it has an unbelievable success rate (unlike dieting). There are lots of books out there, and lots of information, and this one definitely will help you in your decision-making process as to whether to opt for surgery or not. I docked it one star for being overpriced.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Resoruce
Review: In WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, UNDERSTANDING AND OVERCOMING MORBID OBESITY, Michelle Boasten provides extensive information for anyone seeking surgery for the super obesity disease (and valuable information for anyone seeking surgery, period). She names physical and emotional feelings that the super obese share. I was able to relate to 95% of the feelings she listed. In addition, she carefully walks you through preparation for surgery including insurance problems, financing the surgery, and physical/emotional preparation--she also covers complications and so forth. She asks some invaluable questions that we can use to determine if we are candidates for surgery. She prepares us for the aftercare, and discusses WLS as a tool, and not a cure. Our support system is very important and she drives that point home. She even explains the mechanics of the three current types of WLS. I highly recommend this book to anyone comtemplating WLS, and also to those who have already had it (and I recommend it for anyone dealing with insurance battles for any type of surgery). Peggy gives it TWO THUMBS UP!
Rating:
Summary: YES! This is what I have been looking for.
Review: Michelle Boasten has provided in this book the tools needed to build a successful WLS case. I have been looking and researching for such information since my decision to be a WLS candidate. The focus is not on the author but on the process involved in building your own WLS case.The presentation of the materials is such that the layperson can understand the entire cycle of the WLS journey. The checklist and tips are down to earth and helpful. I view it as my "How To" book for weight loss surgery. Thanks for the work in compiling this information for all to benefit from.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book That Covers The Facts & Deals With The Fantasies
Review: Michelle has done a great job with her book. As somebody who has been actively researching WLS for over 2 years, I can honestly say that she doesn't leave out a thing. She talks about the genetic and scientific reasons behind morbid obesity; goes into depth about the 3 major surgery types (MGB, RNY, and DS); choosing a surgeon; dealing with insurance (her advice on documentation is probably worth the cost of the book); financing the surgery; and life pre- and post-op. I think that my favorite part of Michelle's book is where she addresses the Fantasies people have about life after WLS--I'll no longer be single, my marriage will improve, etc. If you are seriously considering surgery for clinically severe obesity (100+ pounds over recommended weight or BMI 40+), then you should buy this book. Research the surgery thoroughly--through this book, the web, your doctor, and talking to patients who've had WLS (both with positive and negative outcomes). On a negative side, I think there could have been more information on plastic surgery following WLS--everyone without exception who I've spoken to who has had WLS has needed significant plastic surgery due to excess skin. One friend says that even though she looks great in clothes, she would never consider wearing a bathing suit due to this problem. Two books I would recommend to those considering or going through WLS are "The Spark" by Glen Gaesser and "Fat?So!" by Marilyn Wann. Glenn's book will teach you how to fit 15 10-minute exercise sessions into your life per week. A very doable program, but with excellent results. Whether or not you have this surgery, you need to be active in order to prevent disease. Exercise will only make your WL easier, as well. Marilynn's book deals with fat empowerment/acceptance. It's going to take you at least a year to lose a significant amount of weight--why not learn to love yourself now? If you can do that, there's a greater chance that you will honor your body with appropriate decisions throughout your WLS experience--even if that includes not having surgery at this time.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, and Wonderfully Written!!!
Review: Ms. Boasten's book is a very well written, unbiased book on weight loss surgery. The descriptions, diagrams and language used are easy to read and understand, even for the lay person. The book gives a wonderful overview of the many procedures available to those considering the option of weight loss surgery and encourages everyone to do more research and become educated on their choices. She understands the power of knowledge and making an informed decision, no matter which surgery you choose for your journey. She helps us to begin our own journeys by sharing her knowledge and experiences with us. Ms. Boasten tells of her own painful battle with morbid obesity in such a manner that you can feel her struggle and emotional battle as if you were going through it yourself. She is a great inspiration to anyone battling obesity! This book is a great resource not only for those that are considering weight loss surgery, but anyone that has any loved ones battling obesity/morbid obesity. Wonderfully written! I look forward to any other works from Ms. Boasten!
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful resource, but too expensive.
Review: The most helpful component of this book is the lists of what to take to the doctor's office, what to send to your insurer, what to pack for surgery, etc. I was disappointed to see how small this book was when it arrived. Although the book was interesting and informative, I feel that $19.99 is too much to pay for it and will be donating my copy to my support group to help pre-op patients.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This author has taken what now seems to be a phenomenom and written about it. The information she presents could be more inclusive but she did an outstanding job as a new author. She goes into life as a fat person, how to deal with insurance (she even lists the phone numbers of every Department of Insurance for every state!), how to find a doctor, what to expect during the surgery-for the most part, and lets the reader know, in a limited fashion, what life will be like afterwards. I can see a future edition coming out of this person with better details and information. However, let me repeat myself, she did an outstanding job on this book. Her resources for the Internet were great and I disagree with an earlier reviewer who warned about the author and her surgeon. I went into this book knowing the author was a patient and formerly fat person. It's that simple. I knew she did not have the medical background for this type of surgery and as far as her surgeon is concerned, I don't remember even seeing his name in the book. I just know he isn't mine. HOWEVER, they now have more books about the subject than they had before. I want to order two of them but am waiting for them to offer "Weight Loss Surgery Stories" by the same author. Maybe then I'll place another order. :-)
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