The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How to Make the Decision that Could Save Your Life
For those individuals who are morbidly obese defined as weighing  more than 100 pounds above their ideal body weight or with a  body mass index of 40 or higher (35 or higher with other  illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease) weight loss, or  bariatric, surgery can be a lifesaver. It is not, however, a  miracle cure. It requires a skilled surgeon, support staff, and  the patient's lifelong adherence to diet, exercise, and vitamin  supplementation. Expert bariatric surgeon Flancbaum (St.  Luke's-Roosevelt Hosp., New York, and Columbia Univ.) has  written an excellent and reassuring guide for those considering  the surgery. He clearly outlines the surgical options,  explaining each type along with its risks and possible  complications, as well as expected outcomes. He also explains  what to expect before, during, and after surgery, discussing  selection of a surgeon, insurance coverage, the surgery itself,  pain control, diet, and (rarely) reoperation. Resources and  recipes are appended. For a nurse's perspective on the same  subject, see Michelle Boasten's Weight Loss Surgery:  Understanding and Overcoming Morbid Obesity (FBE Service  Network, 2001). For all health collections. Anne C. Tomlin,  Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., NYCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.