Marina S. Kurian - Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies

Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies, 2ND EDITION

by Marina S. Kurian, MD, Barbara Thompson, and Brian K. Davidson

Foreword by Al Roker

NBC Weatherman and Television Personality

Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 www.wiley.com

Copyright 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2012942052

ISBN 978-1-118-29318-8 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-118-35621-0 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-35622-7 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-35623-4 (ebk)

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Authors

Marina S. Kurian, MD: Dr. Marina Kurian grew up in New York City and attended Stuyvesant High School. She graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree from Union College and received her MD from Albany Medical College. Dr. Kurian completed her general surgery training at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. She completed additional training and is board certified in both general surgery and surgical critical care. After completing an advanced laparoscopic fellowship, she started her practice in July 2000. Dr. Kurians interest in weight loss surgery started in her general surgery training and was honed in her advanced laparoscopic fellowship. She is currently the medical director of the New York University Langone Medical Center Weight Management Program. As a recognized expert in the field of obesity surgery, she has spoken at many national and international meetings on the topic of obesity. She is the author of many articles and book chapters on laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Kurian is active in the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). She also is a weekly host on Doctor Radio (Sirius/XM 81), discussing a variety of health topics.

Barbara Thompson: Barbara Thompson is a gastric bypass patient, author, and professional speaker. She battled a weight problem from the day she was born. When she finally admitted to herself in her late 20s that her baby fat was turning into a serious problem, she began dieting earnestly, only to diet her way to severe obesity. Over her adult life, Barbara experienced the very common pattern of losing weight, regaining it, and adding a few additional pounds. When her weight reached 264 pounds and a herniated disk in her back was causing her to face disability, she knew she was in trouble. She decided to have the life-altering gastric bypass surgery in January 2000 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Today, Barbara is a national speaker on weight loss surgery, obesity sensitivity, and getting control of your life. She is the author of Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You. She hosts the patient website www.wlscenter.com ; the Facebook group WLS Private; and her blog, www.weightlosssurgeryblog.net .

Barbara is a past chairman of the board of the Obesity Action Coalition, a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Corporate Council, and a member of the National Speakers Association. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Frank, and daughter, Erin. You can contact her through www.wlscenter.com .

Brian K. Davidson: Brian is the coauthor of Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook For Dummies. Brian has been featured on television, spoken at various industry events, and consulted with leading industry professionals and patients. He has authored several articles for the weight loss surgery community. He is a passionate advocate and dedicated to improving obesity awareness and increasing public education for this devastating disease. Brian lives in Connecticut and is the proud father of his daughter, Grace, and son, Riley. You can contact him at bk311d@gmail.com.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to everyone who is afflicted with the disease of severe obesity. It is dedicated to all those who have tried to diet and failed over and over again, only to find themselves gaining more and more weight. It is also dedicated to the families of those with this disease, in the hopes that they will find understanding and a way to offer support. It is our desire that you find information and hope within the covers of this book.