Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Good books for the emotional aspects of post-surgery?



Recommended Posts

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! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The book Misti linked is really good.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!!! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×