"The Emotional First-Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery" by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD

This book has an extremely straightforward tone without a lot of touchy-feely. ("You only have one chance for success.") Despite that, I feel it would be invaluable to anyone considering bariatric surgery. The book is meant to be informational for pre-surgery folks and serve as a resource after the surgery as well. It contains a lot of good information, including a list of websites and articles from psychological and medical journals. It walks the reader through the entire before and after process, including sections on deciding whether or not bariatric surgery is right for you, psychological preparation for surgery, self-talk, learning to cope with stress without using food, how to begin a consistent exercise program, behavior modification, weight management, relapse prevention, how relationships may change after surgery, depression after surgery, and unresolved issues that may impede the achievement of success with this surgery. The book is small, a perfect size to keep in a purse or briefcase. I have no doubt I will be carrying my copy around with me for some time. One of the things I appreciate is its reality-check statement of facts: diet and exercise are key, you can't just make the lifestyle change halfway and expect to do well, and unresolved issues need to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

My review of "Love Sick" by Sue William Silverman

I saw Sue William Silverman interviewed on a TV documentary and picked up this book and also her first memoir...am so glad I did on both counts. Since "Love Sick" is framed by Silverman's stint in rehab, it is very different from the first book, both in structure and feel--"Because I Remember Terror..." has a much more removed tone looking back at childhood horrors with a keen observational eye; "Love Sick" also possesses the keen eye but feels much more immediate as the author processes her rehab experience as it unfolds. "Love Sick" illustrates how very universal the nature of addiction is and will speak to anyone who has struggled with addiction of any stripe. If someone in Lifetime's demographic picks up this book and gets some help who may not have otherwise, then selling the film rights was worth it...we all have to pay the rent. The Lifetime movie does not render this book invaluable or Silverman's experience any less valid.

My review of "Gaining: The Truth About Eating Disorders" by Aimee Liu

I found this book astonishingly good, the best I have ever read on eating issues. Informative, well-researched, well-written, the combination of facts and personal stories made it a far more engaging read than one would expect. Not only was every stage of life addressed, there were many insights into our culture. I may not agree with every single thing in this book, but I think anyone with eating and weight issues would find it illuminating, validating, and ultimately healing...I also think it could benefit those who are trying to support a loved one with these issues, as the style is not just dry technical jargon. I also appreciated the fact that the author is an older woman whose recovery from anorexia began decades ago, when research and treatment was in its infancy...she was able to give a historical perspective on eating disorder research, treatment, and recovery as well. I doubt there is a woman in America who could not glean something of value from this book.