This book provides an overview of Obesity in America, its current trends, and possible solutions to the burgeoning weight epidemic. It serves as the beginner's guide to understanding gastric banding surgery and what qualities one should look for in a Gastric Band Surgeon.

In this book, Dr. Vuong offers pertinent psychological and self-improvement tips that are necessary for success after weight loss surgery, which is a rarely covered topic. Drawing on his professional experience working with obesity patients and his own personal journey for enlightenment, he has provided a concise yet profound manual for losing weight and gaining enlightenment. This book does not discuss the various weight loss surgeries, complications, insurance coverage, food tips, or the "usual" dieting tips. This book deals more with what really matters after weight loss surgery--how to change your mind and hence your perception of reality. Whether you are a newbie to weight loss surgery, a seasoned dieter, or just someone seeking enlightenment, this book is a must read. Dr. Vuong is an internationally renowned bariatric surgeon and the current director of Lovelace Bariatrics in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is recognized for his unique Patient Empowerment Program, in which he personally leads weekly educational sessions for his WLS patients. A popular speaker, Dr. Vuong starred in TLC's hit show, "900 Pound Man: A Race Against Time."

Building on his popular Ultimate Success series, "Support Surgeon" Dr. Duc Vuong returns with his latest weight loss surgery guide, this time for Gastric Sleeve patients. Written in an easy-to-understand manner, he explains some of the anatomical and surgical aspects of this newer surgical procedure, while providing practical strategies on how to be successful long-term. He delves into some of the most elusive topics that plague weight loss surgery patients, such as weight loss plateaus, social eating, and long-term follow-up testing requirements. Maintaining the quiz and answer format of his previous books, this book is a must read for all weight loss surgery patients who are looking to maximize their weight loss surgery tool. Here are just a few of the topics that are discussed in Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success: Understanding Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery--describes the antomy and the sleeve surgery in plain, easy-to-understand language Preoperative Sleeve Knowledge Test--gets your expectations inline for the surgery Basic Nutrition Test--basic but very practical information The Texture Scale--a concept developed by Dr. Vuong that will change how you think about food How Do You Know When You Are Full?--teaches you how to know when to stop eating Social Eating with the Gastric Sleeve--celebrations are just a part of living.

In this interactive manual, "Support Surgeon" Dr. Duc Vuong offers essential strategies for Lap-Band(r) patients striving to maximize their weight-loss, overall health, and long-term happiness. Dr. Vuong covers various topics that are crucial for new patients (and for those who have received little or no support) to find happiness with life after their surgery, and specific maintenance topics to teach patients how to keep the weight off once and for al