The Nutritional Supplement

By Nicola Pearson and Claudia Williamson

RRP: £10.99 (Kindle Edition: £6.47)

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (11 Aug. 2015)

ISBN-10: 1516841158

ISBN-13: 978-1516841158

Nutrition for Gastric Band Wearers: A Practical Handbook by Pearson and Williamson is a comprehensive self-help guide focussed on the lifelong nutrition following the bariatric procedure named adjustable gastric banding.

This informative guide is written from the perspective of nutritional therapy and functional medicine and it highlights the importance of:

• predisposing factors for obesity,
• nutritional deficiencies caused by bariatric procedure,
• dietary support leading to; 1) the desired weight loss, 2) reduction in comorbidities, 3) health conditions associated with obesity.

This is a timely publication as bariatric surgery (including gastric banding) is on the increase in the private and public sectors in the UK and more obese people are now eligible for such procedures on the NHS. The advisory council, British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, warns that nutritional deficiencies are common among the obese population and especially so with weight loss surgery (WLS) patients.

This easy to follow guide goes well beyond existing publications as it explores the concept and meaning of human health. There is a clear description of the complex interplay between lifestyle choices, psychological health, family history and other factors affecting our lives that may lead to obesity.

The subject of meal recipes for post-bariatric surgery diet is extensively covered in the literature, so the authors are justified in keeping their offerings relatively brief. They argue that clearly defined nutritional significance of various foods plus the need for specific nutrients as well as modifications to the modern way of eating, all give a better value to the readers than an expanded recipe directory.

The book offers nutrient-dense and easy to make 7-day meal plans for all postoperative stages. The recipes and meal plans include familiar and easy to find ingredients.

A unique addition to the traditional recipe offerings is the list with a detailed description of the ultimate 20 foods for the band wearers’ health benefits.  The information in this section alone is worth more than the cost of the book.

The book is focused on the well-documented, measurable nutritional deficiencies of two target groups: 1) clinically obese, 2) gastric band wearers. The health consequences impacting both groups are highlighted.

The authors explore the causes for obesity well beyond the traditional approach of ‘high fat diets and lack of exercise’, presenting the readers with a number of different factors that could be contributing to obesity.

There is a brief overview of the gastric banding procedure, its risks, possible complications and pre-operative advice. This may be helpful for patients in the private sector, although such information is readily available in any competent bariatric surgery clinic in the UK.

The discussion about fertility and pregnancy after bariatric surgery is one of the distinctive features of this publication. Presented data and information are of great value to the concerned audience as this information is generally unavailable or incomplete.

The guide is educational and practical as it clearly spells out an optimum nutritional strategy combined with considerations and reminders for prudent gastric band ‘management’. This publication represents a useful resource for students of human nutrition and nutritional therapy in light of the obesity epidemic and associated upsurge in bariatric surgery.

The book is well structured, allowing the reader to follow the evidence relating to a particular dietary regime after their gastric banding procedure.  

In this practical guide, the sections are well defined presenting the reader with a reference guide, although some names of chapters are somewhat ambiguous. Each chapter ends with a helpful summary.

The book is written from the perspective of a Nutritional Therapist as a member of a multidisciplinary WLS team. Its well-referenced information is based on primary source materials.

The information is presented in an accessible but not patronising manner and is likely to meet the needs and sustain the interest of both medical professionals and gastric band wearers alike.

The authors are both UK Registered Nutritional Therapists having qualified at ION and CNELM colleges in the UK.  They are members of the professional association BANT and are regulated by the CNHC. The authors are active Nutritional Therapy clinicians with experience in supporting patients with obesity and bariatric surgery, recipe writing and promotion of health though public workshops. Both authors have written popular articles and blogs on human nutrition and post-WLS nourishment. This is their first collaborative book.

The long-term benefits of following the nutritional advice in this timely and comprehensive ‘self-help’ book should result in sustained weight loss and health improvement in gastric band wearers.

Reviewed by Natalie R Gillan, PhD, RNT, MBANT, CNHC

About the Reviewer

Natalie R Gillan holds MSc (honours) and PhD Degrees in Natural Science, Diplomas in Nutritional Therapy, Teaching and Neurolinguistic programming. She is an active member of professional societies British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery [BOMSS], Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons and Royal Society of Medicine. Natalie has undergone an intensive training as a member of bariatric multidisciplinary team in Essentials in Bariatric Surgery Emergencies, Practical Bariatric Patient Management, EndoBarrier Liner, Annual Science Advances in Bariatrics and in FirstLine Therapy. Her teaching career includes colleges, adult education centres and secondary schools. She is a contributor to Coleman Research Group for nutrition in bariatric surgery and many local magazines and newspapers. Natalie runs a busy clinical practice as a bariatric nutritionist and registered nutritional therapist from Highgate Private Hospital, central London and Surrey.