Magic Pill by Holtzclaw (2002, Paperback)

I had a gastric bypass in June 2004. Since that time I have lost 137 lbs, which is great, but mentally, it has really affected me. To begin with, I had extremely bad headaches, would pass out and they couldn't find anything. After $1000's of dollars in MRI, CAT Scan, EEG, EKG the neurologist decided to do a COMPLETE BLOOD WORKUP...which we thought had already been done. Found out I had no B vitamins at all. I have a very low B12 count, but no B1 or B6 because my body was not absorbing it. So, for around $4, my problem was solved.

I started having severe depression and anxiety. Started losing all self esteem, where you would think it would be just the opposite from losing the weight. After many sessions in therapy and counseling, I am still having some problems. All of us "fat" people are addicts just like alcohol, drugs. It is just that our addiction is to food. When we are sad, depressed, lonely, etc...where do WE turn to...food...it helps soothe things over for a while they way that drugs and alcohol does for other addictions.

After the surgery...there is no extra eating...going out to dinner with your husband is a real challenge....you order....even small portions...you are sitting there looking at all this food you once would have scarfed up....and you overeat most of the time and end up being sick.

I think this book is helpful in letting you know that you are not the only one with these feelings. Some patients have no problems whatsoever. Lose the weight, happy, excited about their new life. Then there are some of us that it is just the opposite...our self image does not change....After losing 137 lbs, I am still a FAT person on the inside. I know it is hard to understand if you haven't been there, but if you have, I am sure you know what I am talking about.

Dr. Holtzclaw had this surgery herself, went through some of these feelings and addresses them in her book. She states that if she had to do it all over again that she would in a minute....I really don't think that I would. She also states, as do the counselors, YOU are the one that has to change, inside and out....that there is hope to be happy once again, but only through working hard and use some of the techniques, skills and mind programming behaviors that she describes in her book to help you deal better and more effectively with your food and help ensure a long-term weight loss after your surgery.

Very interesting and helpful book. I would recommend it highly to any gastric bypass patient or anyone that is thinking about having the surgery.

Dru Larner