Susan Maria Leach has turned her personal experience with obesity into a personal crusade, as well as a business and a book: “Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery.” Like many of us, Susan struggled with weight issues most of her life. Six years ago she took the ultimate step and underwent gastric bypass surgery.

Susan weighed 300 lbs. and was considered to be “morbidly obese.” At that weight your heart works overtime, your lungs struggle to provide you with enough oxygen and your self-image may not be the best. Susan found that she was making excuses just to stay home. Now, at 145 lbs, Susan has made weight loss a matter of lifestyle, a change in lifestyle.

According to Susan, the battle after the surgery is just as important as the one to have the surgery. During the first year after surgery, it is a lot easier to lose that first 100 lbs. simply because of the effects of the surgery. But at some point, to be successful, further weight loss, permanent weight loss, requires not just a change of diet, but a difference in the way you eat.

So Susan began revising all of her personal and family recipes. Since she is Italian, that’s a lot of recipes. She became known as the “The Lady with the Recipes” and after an appearance on the Today Show, her business, Bariatric Eating.com, took off.

Susan’s website offers more than recipes. She provides easy access to products, helpful information about the process of undergoing bariatric surgery, and online support.

Without detracting from Susan’s successful surgery, one word of caution. As an attorney I have handled numerous cases involving disasters following bariatric surgery a/k/a weight loss surgery. It is one of those surgical procedures that if something goes wrong, it is usually bad, very bad. My point: If you are considering weight loss surgery, do your homework and know your surgeon and your hospital.

And remember, stay away from the cornbread!