the experts guide to weight loss surgery

 Whats the Best surgery advice for weight loss dr Garth Davis ?

The Expert's Guide to Weight-Loss Surgery: Is it right for me? What happens during surgery? How do I keep the weight off? 

About the Author

Garth Davis, MD, is a bariatric surgeon and star of TLC’s Big Medicine. He is medical director of the Weight Management Center Program at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer across the country. 

Customers opinion on Amazon reviews 

R. HurleyTop Contributor: Sewing

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2009

Verified Purchase

I had been investigating bariatric surgery for some time but was still undecided about having it. Even though I have struggled with my weight for over 50 years and have been through many episodes of yo-yo dieting, I kept thinking maybe I could still do this on my own with dieting and exercise. Dr. Davis points out that, statistically, only about 3% of obese people are able to achieve ***long-term*** weight loss that way. Since I have never been able to keep off any weight I lose, I finally realized that I was in denial and that I was NOT part of that 3%. Reading this book answered questions I didn't even realize I had and expanded in more detail the 6-month program I am going through with a local bariatric practice.

The book covers every aspect of bariatric surgery including explaining the various types and pros and cons of each, as well as the lifestyle changes required by each type. Once I had finished the book, I knew that bariatric surgery was the right step for me to take. Dr. Davis seems to prefer gastric bypass surgery over banding but I've decided on having a gastric band. Hopefully, that will happen shortly after the first of the year.

---------- Update as of August, 2010 ----------

Well, I had my gastric banding surgery in late February and I couldn't be more satisfied with the results. I weighed over 290 pounds when I began the 6-month program and 265 on my surgery date. In the 6 months since surgery, I've lost over 50 pounds and weighed 214 this morning.

Perhaps more important than the weight loss, during the pre-surgery tests my surgeon discovered my long-term acid reflux was caused by a very large hiatal hernia. He did an endoscopy and discovered the acid reflux had caused pre-cancerous changes in my esophagus. My family doctor at that time had always minimized both the hernia (which he knew about but never determined the size of) and the acid reflux so I now have a new family doctor. The surgeon repaired the hernia during the band surgery (the hernia repair actually took 3 times as long as the banding did) and I no longer experience *any* acid reflux. It is a blessing to finally be able to lie flat in bed without heartburn.

I will have to continue to have an annual endoscopy to make sure the damage to my esophagus does not advance to cancer and I take Prevacid to help prevent any further damage. So, not only am I healthier because I am finally getting my weight under control, but my decision to have this surgery may have literally saved my life by avoiding cancer of the esophagus. Thanks, Dr. Davis!