Your trusted guide to surgical weight-lossSixty percent of individuals over the age of 20--or 58 million people in the U.S.--are overweight. As the obesity epidemic continues to grow, many Americans are researching the benefits and complications of weight-loss surgeries. Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies, 2nd edition is the most up-to-date and authoritative guide to understanding the impact of surgical weight-loss before, during, and after surgery.Weight-loss surgery is often an overweight person's last resort, and it comes with many risks, questions, and fears. So how do you know if it's right for you? Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies gives you expert guidance on knowing whether you qualify for the procedures, advice on choosing the best center and doctor, and trusted information on evaluating the risks involved. Plus, it helps you plan to finance the procedure, prepare for surgery, and achieve the best results as you adjust to a new diet and lifestyle post-surgery.* Trusted information on choosing a weight loss surgery that's best for you* Advice on what to expect before, during, and after surgery* Sample recipes and information to ensure you're getting proper nutrition post-surgeryIf you or a loved one is considering gastric bypass surgery, Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies gives you everything you need to decide if it's the right course of action, what to expect during recovery, and how to ensure the best results through healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity.

Introduction 1Part I: Is Weight Loss Surgery for You? 7Chapter 1: The Ins and Outs of Weight Loss Surgery 9Chapter 2: Voting for Surgery: Are You a Candidate? 19Chapter 3: Incision Decisions: Your Surgical Options 33Chapter 4: Understanding the Risks of Surgery 53Chapter 5: Drafting Your Dream Team: It's More Than a Surgeon 69Part II: Preparing for Surgery 79Chapter 6: Paying for Surgery: No Assurance of Insurance 81Chapter 7: Making the Grade: Testing Prior to Surgery 91Chapter 8: Preparing Yourself Physically and Mentally: Getting in Tip-Top Pre-Op Shape 103Part III: The Hospital Experience and Beyond 115Chapter 9: Checking In and Out: Your Hospital Stay 117Chapter 10: Knowing What You Can Eat for the First Few Months 133Chapter 11: Starting on Solid Food 155Chapter 12: Home Sweet Home: Returning after Surgery 171Chapter 13: Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Back to Work You Go! 181Part IV: This Time I'm Going to Make It: Ensuring Success 189Chapter 14: What Is Success Anyway 191Chapter 15: Food for Thought: An Eating Plan for the Rest of Your Life 201Chapter 16: Getting It in Gear: Making Exercise Part of Your Routine 233Chapter 17: Enlisting Outside Help 249Part V: Changing Outside and In 257Chapter 18: Avoiding Potential Pitfalls: Physical Challenges 259Chapter 19: Dealing with Post-Op Emotional Issues: What's Eating At You? 269Chapter 20: Me, Myself, and I: Your Relationship with Yourself 281Chapter 21: Working At Relationships: Family, Friends, and Everyone in Between 293Chapter 22: Now That I'm Thin, What about the Skin? 307Part VI: The Part of Tens 319Chapter 23: Ten Weight Loss Surgery Myths 321Chapter 24: Ten Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery 327Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Stay on the Straight and Narrow 331Index 335