Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did Mary Roach’s blend of immersive journalism, scientific detail, and humor in Replaceable You compare to your experience with her other works, like Stiff (2003) or Gulp (2013), if you’ve read them? Did her approach make these complex medical topics more engaging for you?

2. What was the most surprising or memorable part of the book for you? Did a specific procedure, person, or historical anecdote stand out more than the others?

3. The book’s central argument is that scientific progress does not happen linearly. Before reading, what were your general ideas about medical innovation, and in what ways did this book either challenge or confirm those views?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Roach explores a wide range of interventions, from common dentures to futuristic 3D-printed organs. Where do you personally draw the line between a helpful replacement part and something that feels too invasive or unnatural?

2. The stories of Judy Berna choosing amputation and Dr. Garcia’s patients opting for vulvoplasty highlight the importance of patient choice. Think about a time you may have needed to advocate for your own rights or preferences in a medical or personal setting. How did this book’s exploration of patient autonomy resonate with you?

3. The chapter on ostomies delves into the social stigma attached to certain life-saving procedures. Have you ever experienced social stigma about a condition or seen a friend experience it? How does the text reflect your experience? 

4. Many procedures discussed in the book, from Brazilian butt lifts to composite tissue transplants, involve a significant trade-off between risk and reward. How do you personally weigh potential benefits against serious risks when making a major life decision?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The book shows how different cultures drive innovation, from China’s focus on xenotransplantation due to organ shortages to Mexico City’s role as a hub for aesthetic surgery. What does this suggest about the relationship between a society’s values and its scientific priorities?

2. How does Western culture’s hunger for “breakthrough” stories, which Roach critiques in relation to stem cells and bioprinting, affect scientific research and public understanding of medicine?

3. What does the book reveal about global disparities in medical technology and care, particularly through the lens of the Orbis mission in Mongolia?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Roach inserts herself directly into the narrative, attempting to intubate a manikin and even having her own hair follicle transplanted onto her leg. How does this immersive, first-person approach shape the book’s tone and its authority on the subject?

2. How does the book’s structure, which jumps between historical anecdotes, cutting-edge labs, and personal patient stories, support the development of its central arguments?

3. Roach is known for her humor, even when discussing morbid or uncomfortable topics. How does it function as a tool to make complex science more accessible? Where did you find her use of humor most effective or perhaps challenging in the book? 

4. The narrative often places ancient techniques, like couching for cataracts, alongside modern ones like phacoemulsification. What larger points does Roach make by constantly collapsing time and comparing past and present medical practices?

5. What is the impact of ending the book on the Epilogue’s note of uncertainty, with its news of funding cuts and company closures?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could add one chapter to Replaceable You that explores another body part or medical replacement, what would it be? What kinds of experts or patients would you want Roach to interview for it?

2. In the book, Roach notes that the United Ostomy Associations of America struggles to create effective public awareness campaigns. If you were in charge of their messaging, what key idea from the book would you focus on to help reduce stigma?