Weight Loss Surgery Seminar

Last Thursday night I attended a WLS seminar at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge.  They rotate which doctors speak at the seminar from the groups which perform the surgeries in the WLS program at Woman's Hospital.  This particular evening, we had a surgeon from the Surgeons Group of Baton Rouge.

There were about six attendees, and we were all at different stages of interest.  There was one woman who was ready to set up her appointment and have her surgery done this December.  A mother and adult daughter in the seminar were there and seemed at the opposite end of the spectrum.  I got the impression that the mother had dragged her daughter along and her daughter wasn't ready to even consider it.  Another woman was asking a question a minute.  The final woman in the room (besides me) was silent the entire time.  I was quiet too.  I did ask one of the nurses a question on the side, but it was more to confirm price for self-pay than anything else.

The seminar itself was fairly informative.  I think I knew most of the material by now.  If you spend any amount of time reading other people's stories then you're bound to know about the risks and rewards.  One thing that I really appreciated was that the surgeon broke down the differences between gastric bypass, vertical sleeve, and gastric banding.  The most common procedure they do is the sleeve (the one I am planning to have done) and the average % of excess weight loss is 40-80.  In other words, if you are 100 lbs overweight, then on average you would lose 40-80 pounds.  There is less risk with VSG than with the bypass, the weight loss is quicker than with the band, and they all require nutritional supplements.

I am really liking what I'm hearing about the program at Woman's though.  I need to do some more checking into it.  I want to make sure I know if there are any additional costs involved.  It sounds like it's all including, but if so that means that you get exercise and nutrition consulting, a support group, etc!  Very nice :)

That's all for now.  Have a great weekend!

Always Beautiful,
Kelly

Book Review: Exodus from Obesity

I just finished reading "Exodus from Obesity: 2nd Edition" by Paula Peck.  Peck had gastric bypass surgery over a decade ago and offers a lot of good information about weight loss surgery and recovery.  She includes a healthy mixture of research, experience, and support.  Mostly, Peck is very positive in her writing, and the book made for an easy read.

I read the Kindle version, however, which had some weird formatting.  I was able to borrow it for free from the Kindle Lending Library so the problems didn't bother me as much as they would have if I had paid for the book.  The book is well worth reading--there is great advice for both pre- and post-op, but the book price is a little steep in my opinion.  The paperback is $17.95 and the Kindle is $9.99.  I'm assuming the errors are present in the paid Kindle version.

I particularly like how Peck encourages the reader to really take advantage of the Honeymoon and Golden stages (the first six months post-op, when weight loss comes very easily) to set up the good and healthy eating and exercise habits.  That way you are already eating right and exercising by the time your stomach stretches out some.  All in all I thought Peck gives great advice.  I will definitely have to re-read this as I get closer to an actual surgery date, and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of having the surgery.

There was only one thing that kind of bothered me in the book.  In one chapter, Peck talks about dealing with food and the children in your family after weight loss surgery.  Some people feel that children may feel deprived without access to goodies.  Peck thinks that people should work on defining what love means to themselves and their families--love should not revolve around food.  Okay.  I understand, and yes, I can agree.  I was bothered a little though because I don't think it's always that simple.  My children overeat.  It's a problem, and one I am working on with them.  I don't like junk food in the house for their sake more than mine.  But it's kind of crappy to imply that I am letting food act as a substitute for my love for them.  I love my children very much, and they don't need cake and ice cream to prove that.  I have to admit though that I tend to be overly sensitive about my parenting, so maybe the problem isn't what Peck said but my perception of what Peck said.  What do you think?

Regardless, I would highly recommend "Exodus from Obesity: 2nd Edition"  Check it out from Amazon:

Are there any books about obesity, depression, or weight loss surgery you'd recommend?

Always Beautiful,
Kelly