I hope this announcement finds you well and, of course, on track following your lap-band lifestyle. BariatricPal is designed to be a comprehensive community that you can use for support and information. Now, BariatricPal has another, exciting way to help out our members as you continue to pursue weight loss and health. What’s the big news? Our first book is out!

The Big Book on the Lap-Band!
That’s right! We’ve been working for a very long time on research, writing and editing the book, and you’re invited to read it! It’s called, “The Big Book on the Lap Band: Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Adjustable Gastric Band,” written by (yours truly) Alex Brecher and Natalie Stein. I'm the founder of BariatricPal.com and a lap-band patient myself; Natalie is a nutritionist and experienced writer on weight loss and weight loss surgery topics.

A Complete Guide to the Lap-Band Life
The title says it all. The book is a guide from the beginning of the journey through life with the adjustable gastric band. These are just a few topics that are covered in the book.

• How obesity can harm you and millions of others.
• Why it’s so tough to lose weight without surgery.
• All about the lap-band: what it is, how it works and the surgical procedure.
• Looking at the risks and benefits to decide whether the adjustable gastric band is for you.
• Choosing a surgeon and preparing for surgery.
• Your post-op aftercare program.
• Your post-surgery recovery diet progression from liquids to solid foods.
• The lap-band diet: healthy eating and weight control for life.
• Starting and continuing an exercise program.
• Life changes to expect after the lap-band surgery.
• Using BariatricPal.com and other resources for support and information.

As you can see, the book is a great resource no matter where you are in your lap-band journey.

How You Can Get Your Copy
How can you get your hands on a copy of the book? It's available in Paperback and eBook versions directly from BariatricPal, as well as from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, iBooks and Kobo. All the information you need is HERE! Check it out and spread the word!

BariatricPal.com Members Tell Their Stories in the Book!
The book doesn’t just have complete information about the lap-band surgery and journey. It’s also a compilation of real-life member stories told in their own words. Several of our BariatricPal members are featured in this book. They were kind enough to share their stories with us and now with you. These members are some of BariatricPal.com’s most active, so you might already know them from the boards. A huge, warm thank you to everyone who helped out – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Do You Want to Be in the Next Book?
If you didn’t get involved this time around but you might like to be featured in another book, contact me via our private messaging system. We’d love to hear from you and give you the scoop!

I'd love to hear your thoughts about the book! Let us know what you think when you check it out! We’re always delighted to hear from our members and we want to know what we can do to help you along your journey. Thanks for your support up through now, and enjoy “The Big Book on the Lap-Band!”

I have had the book for a bit...has been very interesting. I already met the surgeon and had my all day session. Your book did help to prepare me for my first psychology session a few days ago. One more to go in one month.

Check page 268....you duplicated the table (table 17) for some reason. There should only be three rows instead of 6 (I work as a medical transcriptionist so cannot help but pick up on these kind of things).

I'm keeping a list for the next release, thanks! Please let me know if you found any others.

I have been banded for about 18 months now. I've lost about 90 lbs. I'm looking for a book that focuses on life after the band. In hindsight, I made the decision to have the lapband too quickly without knowing all the facts. So, now I'm looking for the information that I should have known all along. Saying that, I have been successful but I am more interested in learning about the mechanics of the band & how to use it to my FULL advantage. WIll this book answer these questions?

I have been banded for about 18 months now. I've lost about 90 lbs. I'm looking for a book that focuses on life after the band. In hindsight, I made the decision to have the lapband too quickly without knowing all the facts. So, now I'm looking for the information that I should have known all along. Saying that, I have been successful but I am more interested in learning about the mechanics of the band & how to use it to my FULL advantage. WIll this book answer these questions?

The book will definitely assist you. Some might say I'm a little biased in my opinion . I'm willing to offer a full refund if you feel it doesn't meet your expectations. That goes for everyone else as well.

Not sure if my first response posted so I'll try again. The book has been a boon to my weight loss and motivation. It gives a great explaination on how the band works, and gives amounts and lists of foods to pick from, something I have desperately needed. It's a great reference book

Does the book help with years down the road and when to get fills even years later??

Definitely "The Big Book". Just got it last week and really has some great info. Thanks!

Hi there! I'm a newbie. So very happy I found your app and this thread. It has given me direction in finding what I need to know as I begin my journey. There is endless support. I have decided to do something about my problem and struggle with a lifetime of obesity. For the last 20 years, every few years, I have wanted to have batatric surgery. There was always "something" that came up. Now I'm having health problems affecting my mobility. I've had 3 back surgeries including a three level spinal fusion. I still have constant chronic pain. Considering the Lap band, again. I know this book will help. I want to know EVERYTHING possible to make an informed decision. As everyone knows, there is a vast amount of information out there, but I'm looking forward to getting my book!

Got a Kobo e-reader for Christmas and the first book I downloaded was yours I am 3/4 of the way through it. I fell off the wagon big time this holiday season and reading the book is helping me get back on track. I put on about 7 lbs and feel horrible physically and emotionally. I am heading back to the gym next week as well as starting yoga tomorrow evening and aquafit next Wednesday. Thanks for writing this book!

I really enjoy the support of the bariatric Pal App and I am sure to enjoy my book!

Got my copy in the mail yesterday... ordered it from an eBay seller. Already learned a few things I didn't know. It's definitely worth the small investment and nice to have all the details in one place. I've even caught my husband reading it too!

Got this book for Christmas off my hubby! Can't stop reading it. I have my surgery in February and this forum along with this book have prepared me well. Thank You x