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.

Before & After

By Leach, Susan Nuziato

Morrow Cookbooks

ISBN: 0060567228

The Countdown To June 11 Begins!

May 26, 2001
I feel so weepy and emotional. I went to breakfast this morning withmy husband, my father, and his wife, and I sat there staring at my platefulof scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, sausage, and bagel slathered withcream cheese; it made me feel so terrible about myself, I wanted to cry.I couldn't eat it. Lately, I analyze what is on my plate at every meal andthink, "I will never eat this again." It is a very difficult feeling to dealwith. Then five minutes later, I get angry with myself and think, "Youhave eaten enough in your life, get over it!" I regroup my thoughts andit is more like "I will never eat this much for one meal or on one plateagain!"

June 5, 2001
My best friend, Ronni, and I checked out the surgical floor at FloridaMedical Center. The fifth-floor bariatric suites appeared comfortableand clean. It made me feel so much better about the surgery loomingbefore me. Everyone I have come in contact with at this hospital hasbeen exceptional. When they perform a diagnostic test, the techniciansare very professional and know what they are doing, and there isno confusion. You can feel so exposed and vulnerable in this setting,but the staff has given me even more confidence in my choice. Thenurses took the time to talk to me and showed us around the floor,even taking us into one of the specially-equipped bariatric rooms. I was surprised to see that this hospital has large leather recliners, andthe beds have a steel frame canopy with a hanging bar you can use tohelp move yourself. I will be in a private room. Ronni will stay with methe first couple of nights since my husband can be pretty useless inmedical situations, and I mean that in a loving way. I adore my husband,but after I had throat surgery two years ago, it took him entirelytoo long to figure out that my frantic hand gestures meant I desperatelyneeded some water.

I have been comparing notes with people on the weight losssurgery message boards and some of their hospitals and surgeonsdon't have scales capable of weighing them, or compression stockingsto fit their large legs, or even hospital gowns for larger patients. I wonderwhy someone would choose a surgeon or hospital that didn't makespecial accommodations for the comfort and safety of larger patients.More importantly, I wonder why a bariatric surgeon specializing inthis procedure would not make sure that his or her hospital providedthese items for their patients.

I only have a few days left to eat "big food" so tonight we are goingout for pizza. Tomorrow, Ruth's Chris Steak House is on the calendarso that I can enjoy a final giant steak. I am 39 years old and I figure thatI have eaten enough. I will be able to eat again, albeit in very small portions,but I will enjoy a few more days of shameless gluttony. I amscared, but on most days I can't wait to get rolling.

June 8, 2001
I am looking forward to being on the "losing" side of this surgery. Tonight,my husband went solo to a party we were invited to. The invitationtouts that there will be a band with dancing, cocktails, andincredible food. I just didn't want to go. I am the biggest that I haveever been in my life, so of course my first thoughts were of my closetfull of clothes too tight to wear. My newest size 26/28 Lane Bryantjeans are so tight that if that button on the waistband popped, the ricocheting metal could injure an innocent bystander. I can barely breathewhile sitting down in them. My black knit twin set, the only acceptableitem in my closet for a casual party, will make my makeup run in tenminutes flat in the humid June night air. Everyone will be runningaround in little tops and mini skirts and I would be the red-faced fatgirl in the hot sweater and jeans. The clincher that cemented my decisionto stay home was that it is a yacht christening party and I justknow I would have been in an uncomfortable situation getting on andoff the boat. I have already had a couple of embarrassing situations onfriends' boats! Even when you can get on the boat, you have to worryabout the tide changing. On one occasion a fairly easy two-foot jumpdown to the boat later became an impossible four-foot leap back up tothe dock. I immediately recognized the problem at hand and watchedin terror while everyone else seemed to fly effortlessly up to the dockaided by the helping hands of the uniformed boat valets. I tried tothink of a reason to stay on the boat, but there was no way out. Whenmy husband and a friend's husband realized that I was going to havedifficulty getting up to the dock, they began to formulate a plan to helpme. Then more of our friends became aware that there was a problemand got back on the boat to help. I found myself the sudden focus ofattention while our well-meaning friends pulled and pushed meupward. As my feet landed on the dock, I tried to act nonchalant aboutwhose hands had been on my butt, giving me that final boost. I sufferednot only from embarrassment, but also large bruises on my armsand legs from the incident. This was supposed to be a fun end to a dayof boating, but I remember it for the humiliation instead of the eventwe were celebrating.

Tonight, our dear friends giving the party will wonder where I am ...

Continues...

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