Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery

by Susan Maria Leach

At 278 pounds, Susan Maria Leach couldn't fit into a roller coaster seat, couldn't tie a bathrobe around herself, couldn't even ride with her husband on the back of his Harley. Enough was enough. Susan underwent gastric bypass weight loss surgery. Now Susan weighs in at a mere 135 pounds. Her book, Before & After, is the story of her incredible journey from being too big to enjoy her life, to being able to truly enjoy life to its fullest. Now Susan can fit into that roller coaster seat, completely tie that robe, and ride on the back of her husband's Harley. More than one hundred thousand people had weight loss surgery in 2003, and as those pounds continue to drop, the number of people opting for the surgery continues to rise. Part memoir and part cookbook, Before & After includes a foreword by Susan's surgeon, comments from a nutritionist, and a section on frequently asked questions. It is an intimate account of Susan's own transformation, as well as a universal guide for those who have undergone or are considering the procedure. After her own success, Susan participated in support groups for weight loss surgery patients. There, she discovered that people had as many questions about life after surgery as they had about the operation itself. Before & After answers those questions and many more. An accomplished home cook and longtime culinary enthusiast, Susan quickly became known as the "lady with the recipes." Determined not to give up good food and a flexible lifestyle, Susan worked hard to develop recipes that meet her nutritional requirements, yet are delicious and satisfying for her, her family, and her guests. The 100 recipes -- which include everything from Roasted Salmon with Mango Salsa and Italian Meatballs to Belgian Chocolate Cheesecake and Lemon Meringue Pie -- make about four servings, but each comes with a measured serving for WLS people along with a calorie/carb/fat/protein count. Susan has recipes for every step of the way, from tastes-like-the-real-thing milk shakes for those first post-op days to an entire Thanksgiving menu. Before & After is a journal of Susan's own inspirational story, where she shares her ups and downs, her tips and techniques, but mostly it's a book about hope for anyone who has a serious weight problem.

Genres: Self Help, Cooking, Cookbooks, Biography, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[M M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Susan Maria Leach shares in this newly revised version (of the identical book, "Before + After" with the identical cover photo of the New! Sassy! Slimmer! kicked up leg from 2004 Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery) that her business, the now defunct "BariatricEating.com" is touted by top Bariatric Centers nationwide.

Except that it's not, at all. Let me shed a tear.

What you find in the fore-ward, preface and introduction of Before + After is a lot of chest-huffing and anger, one section in particular where Susan Maria refers to an ex-friend, which is extraordinarily offensive to my entire weight loss surgery community. Anyone who is visible in the community will recognize it immediately.

This is followed by the same exact book from the early 2000's regurgitated from the last printing. Her personal story and recipes are all the same. Nothing new to see there.

Also notably, her own before and after photos many years old. Anyone seeking to see a long-term weight loss surgery success in weight maintenance will not see it in this book. Susan Maria touts an after bariatric surgery weight of 147 pounds, and shares a photo or two from 2004.

This book was published in 2012. There is no evidence that she was able to succeed long-term according to her own self-flagellation and advice.

The book ends with "new" sources, such as her own "support forum," which is all but shut down, and abandoned by Susan! Her staff has quit, and they announce that the forum is no longer connected to "Susan Maria" or "Bariatric Eating.com."

The book also offers lists of products that Susan Maria Leach wishes she had to sell. Susan Maria lists flavor profiles of whey protein isolates she's never even HEARD of, let alone developed: such as Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows, Pistachio, Natural Vanilla Cookie, and Tangerine Pineapple.

Truth is, her brick and mortar store in Pompano Beach, Florida has been closed for nearly a year, and the URL you are directed to in the book is completely useless. Hit up Google. Go on.

Do yourself a favor and check this woman out of the Better Business Bureau before you purchase a SINGLE SAMPLE from this woman.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too cheery for me - very little discussion of any hardships or difficulties, and it's about 1/3 memoir, 2/3 cookbook. However, the recipes look great and I'll definitely be using some of them.

[Maureen Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not have weight loss surgery but I do love memoirs, and I do struggle with weight issues. I found this book when browsing the library catalog and decided to read it. I am so glad I did. It was fascinating to learn about Leach's experience. There are so many people with conflicting opinions on the best way to lose weight, but ultimately it only matters what the individual is willing and able to do. One thing I really liked was the idea of reducing carbs, especially empty carbs. This was not a new concept to me, but after reading about Leach's mental struggle, I realized how I could finally apply this concept to my life. I also really enjoyed reading some of her recipes. Of course, I do not have some of the restrictions that she has, but it has made me more aware of what I am eating and when.


Well, until I ate Candy Cane Joe Joes for breakfast this morning...

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan at all. She comes off as a "look at how awesome I am" person and puts down other individuals who still struggle with weight loss. There is not a single entry (the narrative section of the book is written through journal entries) that shows her struggling with her WLS. It just seems fake--too preachy and too self-congratulatory and self-praising. Yes, she does make the point (relentlessly) that you still have to eat well to lose weight with WLS but she comes off as if she thinks she's the perfect patient.

Also, there is a disconnect with the "average-joe" reader as she discusses cross-country trips to Vegas to stay as a VIP at the Mirage. A luxury trip to Germany with trips to 5-star restaurants and a stay at a famous 5-star hotel in London. Not something that most people can relate to.

Overall, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

[Kristen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nutrition information portion of the book was a quick read, understandable, and helpful for anyone preparing for weight loss surgery, caring for someone during recovery, or providing support after.

The author not only recounts her personal experience side by side with related medical information and recommendations, but provides a multitude of time saving lessons learned. she has explored and experimented with a full range of available nutritional support products and devised some fantastic, easy to prepare meals that are also family friendly.

I read this book to help a friend who has struggled in the decade following his surgery, and found it extremely helpful. It's worth picking up just for the recipes, which compromise a majority of the text.

[Angela Risner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would have found this before my Sleeve surgery, but I am grateful that I found it right afterward. Even though Ms. Leach had the RNY, a lot of the eating requirements are the same. Her recipes have been so helpful!

I also enjoyed the emotional support from the book. When she wrote about some of the things that happened right after surgery, I had the same things and it was nice to know how normal it was.

I bought this for my Kindle first, then I bought it in hard copy to use the recipes. I have thought about sending it to some friends and family, as well, because it explains the emotional side of the surgery so well.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED reading her story! Such inspiration and such a great resource. Many of the recipes looked so good that I want to go ahead and try them, even though my surgery's not for another 2 months. My only other complaint would be that there doesn't seem to be very many early stage recipes other than protein shakes. But, maybe that's because that's really all you should be eating at that time.

[Elida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as preparation for gastric sleeve surgery. Loved it. Not only calmed my fears, gave me a bunch of good ideas for coping with my new life.

[Leil Hardman · Rating 1 out of 5]

1) She starts in a new preface with what seems like a very negative attitude towards bariatric surgery. She is especially negative towards other forms such as the "sleeve" implying ignorance or lack of research on those getting the some what newer surgery. This baffled me when she also explains how she went from never hearing about bariatric surgery to seeing Carnie Wilson on People Magazine to going under the knife in like 3 months after doing some wine induced "research" in the internet circa 2001.

2) Apparently her whole 18+ month post surgery journey was rainbows and unicorns, except for a rough time and extended stay in the hospital upfront. The whole thing just felt very artificial. Maybe she was really just that good and went from gorging herself on "last meals" days before surgery to becoming the model recovery patient with no issues with food or cravings or emotions towards the whole things, who am I to say.

3) The whole thing turned into an advertisement for her protein powder line. I can't stand wanting 30 seconds watching a commercial on YouTube and she just suckered me into wasting hours of my life READING a commercial for what is apparently a defunct (probably overpriced) product.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I marked this "read" though I didn't read the recipes, which made up about half the book. It's full of clear explanations of what people will experience, and practical advice on how to navigate the difficult lifestyle changes required for those who have bariatric surgery (which fortunately I'm not contemplating).

I'm a bit concerned that throughout she promotes her own line of protein supplements and foods, though maybe she's right and her stuff is a good choice, or the best choice, or even the only choice for many of these products. That said, most of the recipes do not contain her products, and look pretty good, so the book is not a straight-out sales pitch by any means.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. Honestly after reading the into chapter where the author had a problem with every weight loss surgery but the one that she went through. I get having a preference but the author isn't a doctor. I don't think she's even in the healthcare field. This is something that should be discussed with your surgeon not some random person who wrote a book. I have a few other issues with the book but that was my biggest issue.

[Lisa Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an indispensable guide everyone who's going through weight loss surgery should definitely keep handy. Helpful hints sprinkled throughout and great recipes. A first hand account of what works best for patients both before and after surgery.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir of someone who has always struggled with weight and her change of eating habits and surgery to lose the weight. Lots of recipes for those of us trying to cut out sugar and carbs, surgery or not.

[Sinead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informed writer

This is a must read for anyone considering weight loss surgery as well as their family and close friends as it is a great perspective from " one who has been through it".

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of very good information for those looking into weight loss surgery.

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to read if you are considering weight loss surgery. It has a ton of healthy recipes in it too. I can't wait to start cooking some of the recipes in this book.

[Colleen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. Great practical information, and great recipes shares for life after surgery.

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty good book – although I think it paints too rosy a picture of WLS. Also, her husband seems like a prick.

[Laura Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful.

[Susan Newill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read

I loved the connection she made me feel. It was like bffs chatting over coffee. I love her explanation of her products and her recipes, YUM!

[Annette Watson]

it was good. a little older information.

[Coggietm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really truthful book.