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Good books for the emotional aspects of post-surgery?



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Hi everyone!

I'm pretty new to the site, and am scheduled for my surgery on August 19th in Mountain View, CA.

I am already beginning to work with a therapist as well as a nutritionist to get myself prepared for the psychological issues that I know I'll need to deal with post-surgery (frankly, I should have dealt with them a while back, that's probably part of the reason I've gotten myself into being the "perfect candidate" for this surgery, LOL!)

I'm curious if any of you who are post-surgery (or even pre-surgery!) can recommend any good books that provide strategies and information re: the emotional challenges of post-surgery patients—particularly how your self-image changes, how to deal with people treating you differently after you've lost weight, emotional eating and how to work through it, etc.

I know my therapist will help me with these things, but I wanted to check and see if anyone had any suggestions!

Thanks in advance! :)

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I just bought a book that came highly recommended by my NUT, but I haven't read it yet...it is titled "Eat It Up!-The Complete Mind/Body/Spirit Guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery," and the author is Connie Stapleton, PhD....it looks user friendly and a fairly quick read...I will report back once I've read it

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I just bought a book that came highly recommended by my NUT' date=' but I haven't read it yet...it is titled "Eat It Up!-The Complete Mind/Body/Spirit Guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery," and the author is Connie Stapleton, PhD....it looks user friendly and a fairly quick read...I will report back once I've read it[/quote']

Thank you so much! Looking forward to what you think about it; I'll check it out too!

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This one is great and everyone should read it before AND after surgery. http://www.amazon.com/The-Emotional-First-Aid-Kit/dp/0976852659

Thank you so much, Misty! I'll check it out! :)

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misty, I just loaded that Amazon one to my kindle...thanks

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The book Misti linked is really good.

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Hi everyone!

I'm pretty new to the site' date=' and am scheduled for my surgery on August 19th in Mountain View, CA.

I am already beginning to work with a therapist as well as a nutritionist to get myself prepared for the psychological issues that I know I'll need to deal with post-surgery (frankly, I should have dealt with them a while back, that's probably part of the reason I've gotten myself into being the "perfect candidate" for this surgery, LOL!)

I'm curious if any of you who are post-surgery (or even pre-surgery!) can recommend any good books that provide strategies and information re: the emotional challenges of post-surgery patients—particularly how your self-image changes, how to deal with people treating you differently after you've lost weight, emotional eating and how to work through it, etc.

I know my therapist will help me with these things, but I wanted to check and see if anyone had any suggestions!

Thanks in advance! :)[/quote']

Best book ever.... Beyond the refrigerator by Linda o

She had the sleeve and is a therapist in Arizona!! Very cheap on Amazon and amazing book!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

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Today I am reading the book "Hungry", by Allen Zadoff. It was recommended by another VST member. It's not about WLS, rather about food addiction. Written very well, and really funny.

"It Ain't Over Until the Thing Lady Sings" by Michelle Ritchie. She had a Gastric Bypass a number of years ago, and as an Addiction Counselor provides a lot of good suggestions for maintaining weight loss after WLS. I am getting a lot out of her book.

Other really good books:

"Sleeved for Life" by Debra Knowlton

"Stranger Here" by Jen Larsen

"The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" by Colleen Cook

"Okay, I've Gone Through Weight Loss Surgery, Now What Do I Do?" by Joanne Moff

All available in Amazon. Happy reading!

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Today I am reading the book "Hungry"' date=' by Allen Zadoff. It was recommended by another VST member. It's not about WLS, rather about food addiction. Written very well, and really well.

"It Ain't Over Until the Thing Lady Sings" by Michelle Ritchie. She had a Gastric Bypass a number of years ago, and as an Addiction Counselor provides a lot of good suggestions for maintaining weight loss after WLS. I am getting a lot out of her book.

Other really good books:

"Sleeved for Life" by Debra Knowlton

"Stranger Here" by Jen Larsen

"The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" by Colleen Cook

"Okay, I've Gone Through Weight Loss Surgery, Now What Do I Do?" by Joanne Moff

All available in Amazon. Happy reading!

[/quote']

Holy COW, you're awesome! Thanks a bunch for all of these great suggestions!!! :)

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Best book ever.... Beyond the refrigerator by Linda o

She had the sleeve and is a therapist in Arizona!! Very cheap on Amazon and amazing book!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thank you so much for the suggestion! I'm going to be busy with lots of homework now! :)

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I just purchased several of these books. I now have a lot of reading I can do on my upcoming trip. Thanks for the suggestions.

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I just bought a book that came highly recommended by my NUT, but I haven't read it yet...it is titled "Eat It Up!-The Complete Mind/Body/Spirit Guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery," and the author is Connie Stapleton, PhD....it looks user friendly and a fairly quick read...I will report back once I've read it

My Doc recommended the same book. I ordered it several days ago.

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I just noticed you are having surgery with Marc Zare :) he was my surgeon too. He's a good man and an awesome surgeon.

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This one is great and everyone should read it before AND after surgery. http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/0976852659

i have this book and really enjoy it. i also recommend the weight loss surgery coping companion by tanie miller kabala and the course of weight loss by marianne williamson

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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