Weight Loss Surgery Directory

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Surgeon Testimonial

Andrew Duffy, M.D.
Dr. Andrew Duffy is the best!!! He is with Yale University Bariatric Surgeons - a center for excellence and he is in with Dr. Robert Bell. I went to the seminar on 12/8/06 and listened attentively to all they had so say. Needless to say when Dr. Duffy presented I just knew that this is the guy I was looking for to do my surgery - he knew his stuff and he was kind and sensitive to my questions. I was getting frustrated because I could not get an appointment for my psych eval prior to 1/07 and he was kind enough to give me the name of Mark Gaynor, LCSW and I got an appointment right away. My paperwork was all complete and in Dr. Duffy's office by 1/2/07. Since I did not get a call with an appointment by 1/3/07, the very next day, I decided to e-mail Dr. Duffy on our Groupwise system that we use at Yale and I said \"I am hoping God places it in your heart to read this e-mail - I need a date!!!\" and he read it - I got a call with a date four days after. I feel confident and I know that I made the right decision. The staff is great, Jane, his nurse manager was great - she had R&Y a couple years ago and looks great and she used to work as an OR nurse where I work which is part of Yale too.
Member Interests
  • Artist/Muralist - I paint the most beautiful stills and christian art in acrylics on canvas
  • Basketry - I love making beautiful dolls and gift baskets that are unique
  • Hispanic/Latino - I was born in Panama, Republic of Panama came to US at age 24.

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by MSW will not settle on 11/20/09 2:32 pm
    So glad to hear your brachio has gone well. Here's to a speedy, uncomplicated, painfree recovery. Blessings!
  • Comment by So Blessed! on 9/17/08 8:27 am
    I'm lifting you in prayer today. Praying for a smooth recovery without complications and that the pain will be managed.
  • Comment by darkandlovely on 9/15/08 6:28 pm
    Hey Lady: I know you will be just fine! God has brought you this far and he will not leave you now! I pray for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery! You did your thang this summer in all of your gorgeous outfits! Peace and Blessings!
Click here for the surgery support page

martitalinda's Blog
martitalinda's Blog


Is it raining men????
on February 27, 2008 11:09 am
What am I doing? am I fishing men???? Okay, I have a pleasant disposition and do not consider myself at all flirtatious - that coupled with the fact that I am no spring chicken although I look much younger than my years.  What is up with these men - is it raining men for you too? They are coming at me all out of the woodworks everywhere I go in all colors and heights and shapes and nationalities (lol) what gives?????? trying to give me a ride when I have my own car???????? hey, I am trying to go across the street - why are you blowing your horn at me???? okay here comes a cop - big wink and a wave - and I am not even J-walking.  Men breaking their necks in the morning to help me with my bags or to park my car??????? calling me to ask me (just now) did I have lunch and would I like some soup??? one had extra tickets to the theatre last week - whats up???? is my jacket warm enough - here use mine it is heavier???? I can't help but ask myself where were they a year ago when my tongue was hanging out of my head as I tried to catch my breath as I lugged my heavy briefcase from my car to the elevator and oh my car was in the street behind a string of cars and nobody came rushing out to get my keys, they ran past me to help the one behind me and when I left work I had to stand there for hours while they got everyone elses car and mine was the last - where were they? Now I have to call and run down quick because my car is there waiting for me - where were they, I ask myself.  I am fishing men and it is raining men all around me  - where were they when I needed them to at least hold the door or the elevator so I could maneuver my big butt through the doors????  I am fishing all these men and I am throwing them right back into the pond ... the attention is great but the one I have at home is golden (lol) where were they??? are they raining all around you too??? Silly men???
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SPECIAL DAY TODAY
on February 27, 2008 3:12 am

I could not help thinking how life is a compilation of moments and how I allowed myself to lose some of my moments impaired by illnesses brought on by my body habitus and morbid obesity.  I allowed myself to lose some of my moments mourning a lost love by getting caught up in hurt and anger over my previous marriage - my past relationship.  I allowed myself to lose some of my moments by not living life to my full potential by allowing myself to wallow in my circumstance by limiting myself to exist in them.  When I decided that time was too short and that my life was worth living much better than I was doing - I jumped in and went in for me - I chose not to lose any more of my moments and I elected to do something about it.  Today I am alive, I am healthy and I am free and I am living all of my moments.  Love is the most beautiful thing and it is so wonderful to live in it, Health is the most wonderful thing – and it is wonderful to chose to live healthy. Oh I am sooooooooo loving all my moments, whether it is capturing a snow flake, or staying up all night caring and praying God's strength in my ailing husband, or staying up all night hugging and listening to the ramblings of my bipolar son because he stopped taking his meds and now we have to get him back on track.   I am capturing every one and all of my moments without complaint – they will not go to waste – and I am living my life like it is golden – in spite of…. If my day is not going like I want it to – I will thank God for THIS DAY … If I cry in the midnight hour I know that when I wake my midnight is over and that joy will come in the morning ... if the food I eat today does not appeal to me or taste like I want it to – I will thank God for having food on my table …. if my pouch is a grouch today I am thanking God for my TOOL ... if life is not all that it promised to be I will thank God for LIFE and for living to see another day that He has made … after all I am B.A.D. – BLESSED AND DELIVERED!!!! I am B.A.D. BEAUTIFUL AND DETERMINED ... and yes I do cry but just for a moment because the joy that I now have no man has given to me therefore no person and no circumstance can steal it from me.  Today would have been my mom’s birthday if she were still with us.  I remember like it was yesterday her telling us to mourn her happy otherwise she would come back and slap us into her reality – that she has moved on to her ultimate destination where she found REST in His PEACE – to remember her happy and to cherish the legacy of love and caring she left behind.  So I always remember her with a smile - I remember her happy (she passed on 7 years ago) and every day I picture her somewhere in a better place making a little room for me.  Today I am weighing 3 lbs below my goal of goals - my BMI is normal as are all my body functions and labs - I am blessed!!! so here is me off to work .. I AM GRATEFUL and me making a fool of myself cheering up my DH over the weekend.  DON'T WORRY - BE HAPPY - it is a matter of choice and I choose to be happy.  I love you my dear OH family.
martitatoday22708.jpg picture by martitalinda
MARTITADONTWORRYBEHAPPY.jpg picture by martitalinda

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OOPS - LOST A COUPLE MORE POUNDS
on February 26, 2008 2:56 am
And thought I was maintaining - but the scale is still moving down COOL - hey - I'll take it - I feel fantastic and although I am being called thin I do not see much difference between now and a few months back - I do feel lighter and I still think there is fat under some of the flabby skin - so if it all goes I am happy as a lark.... me heading off to work today ... totally B.A.D. Blessed and Delivered!!!!
martitafebruary262008.jpg picture by martitalinda
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DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY - WHAT IS THE...
on February 24, 2008 1:51 pm
THE LONGEST WORD IS SMILES - THERE IS A MILE BETWEEN THE Ss (lol) ...  an old joke ... (AND NO IT IS NOT THE LONGEST WORD) that is what I told my dear husband yesterday then I sang and danced to him "Don't Worry, Be Happy" as he lay there fighting another mild kidney rejection and feeling sad and sorry for himself because once again we have had to postpone our trip.  Yes sir in the toughest times put on your happiest face - it is all good - that is the pep talk I gave myself and him yesterday and today he is feeling so much better even the creatinine levels are lower where they should be.  He has been sitting around moping and getting himself all depressed because we have had to postpone our anniversary trip to Vegas and our Christmas trip to Panama and again we had tickets to go to Panama two weeks ago for the Panamanian Carnivals which we had to postpone again - it seems it will be well into the summer before we get to go and he always beats himself up and tries to get depressed when his illness gets in the way of us doing things together that and the fact that my family has not seen me in person since surgery since they all live in Panama.  So what did I do?  - I went rumaging in my suitcase that has been ready and waiting for our night on the town in Panama and I dressed in my sexy tiny nightlife outfits and came strutting out with my heels with my gut showing and told him - DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY HERE IS A TASTE OF THE TROPICS MARTITA YOUR FIRST LADY (lol) and I STARTED WAVING LIKE I WAS THE CROWNED QUEEN (lol) - well he was tickled - he laughed so hard he was crying - next thing we know my son came out and played all kinds of tropical music that progressed to jazz and rock and soca and reggae and rock and disco and disco and more disco and we danced and danced and danced and danced - my daughter came down to join the party right smack in our playroom and we laughed and laughed and laughed and the heaviness was gone.  Afterwards I decided to conquer the cold - yup - I went jogging with my son on the nature path right behind our house that was covered in snow, for the first time in my life I lay in the snow (it was not deep at all in that spot) and I did a snow angel (lol) and I enjoyed the cold even though I was bundled up and I enjoyed nature and I decided that even in the toughest times I WILL NOT WORRY - I WILL BE HAPPY ... IT IS A MATTER OF CHOICE ..  here goes pics of my crazy weekend (lol) - I LOVE YOU MY OH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!
Me all dressed up for a night of fun in Panama ... whenever we can go....
MARTITADONTWORRYBEHAPPY.jpg picture by martitalinda
Me JOGGING in the snow - YAYYYYYYYYY
MARTAJOGSNOW1.jpg picture by martitalinda
Snow angel???
MARTASNOWANGEL.jpg picture by martitalinda
Had a snow fight with my son
MARTASNOWFIGHT6.jpg picture by martitalinda
Enjoying the cold...
MARTAJOGGINGSNOW2.jpg picture by martitalinda
I can't believe I was missing out on so much - I love my tool and I am working it!!!! The big scar hole on my side is where my ileostomy bag was over my gastrostomy site following a major complication the day after my surgery - but I love that scar - it lets me know how far I have come and I won't go back...... wishing you love and happiness and remember DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!!!!
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What a workout!!!!
on February 23, 2008 4:06 pm
First I went jogging on the nature path that was totally covered in snow - then got into a snowball fight with my son - that was fun chasing him around in the snow - then I did my home fashion modelling for my DH - modeling these dresses I had picked to wear when we would be going on our trip to Panama - they are XSmall and fitting fine - LOL - I am working my tool and loving every minute of it !!!!
martitainsnow.jpg picture by martitalinda
martitafungalanight.jpg picture by martitalinda
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ME IN A TWO PIECE BATHING SUIT
on February 20, 2008 2:18 am
I love to swim, and can swim real good too.  I used to be on the swim team both in high school and in college - swam like a shark, still do except for the years that my body limited me in performing one of the activities that I so loved.  Well I have been swimming since I incorporated exercise into my post-op lifestyle.  I would always wear these special leggins under my swuimsuit to cover up my mojo - my surgical battlescars, the wrinkled skin but always with a nagging thought in the back of my head 'what on earth am I trying to hide? this is me and I love me and I am comfortable with me - so what gives?"  Well today I decided to go for a swim - I swam long and hard - I love it - I felt like one with the water - I love it soooooooooo much - I did not want to stop and guess what I wore my two piece bathing suit with no coverups and I was fine with me - if anyone had a problem with a wrinkled up lady with battlescars on her abdomen, and legs and wings under her arms too bad so sad -  I did not look to the left and I did not look to the right - I was about my business. When I was done I came home and my DH asked me how my swim was - I told him I loved it that I felt so good and I wore my swim suit and did not cover up- only my swim cap on my head.   He said 'honey you are beautiful, you have nothing to hide' and he took pictures of me in my two piece swimsuit and of course I made my comparison collage and now I can track my before plastics surgery so when I do have my jelly belly whacked off a few months from now I can have before and afters.  If you don't mind hurting your eyes I posted me in my old fashioned two piece swimsuit in my album on here - check the old lady out at your own risk (lol).  One year ago I weighed 285 lbs - I am 5'5" tall and today I weigh 115 llbs right where I want to be.  WLS is the best thing I did for me - I have no regrets and I am so comfortable in my own body.  Thank you my beautiful OH family for your encouragement and support.  Whatever your approach, whatever your tool, whatever your decision work it for LIFE - WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL AND WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.  NOW LETS ALL HUG OURSELVES AND SAY ' I LOVE ME' !!! (lol) 
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Now I can put my needle down!!!! For a minute...
on February 16, 2008 4:23 pm

My friends and I put our talents together and made our beautiful friend and co-worker Crystal's wedding a special day.  I made all the gowns including the bride's gown and the flower girl's too - her daughter Aliya.  We had a blast.  Here is me pulling up in the parking lot
martitagoingtocrystalswedding-2.jpg picture by martitalinda
This is me at the reception and yes I socialized and did not touch my plate because I did not want to - I am happy as a lark at 115 lbs and my small suit I just wore a couple months ago is swimming on me but today was my friend's day - check out what we did....martita2atchrystalswedding.jpg picture by martitalinda
I made all the gowns and dressed them in the hotel room
martitamadegowns.jpg picture by martitalinda
I beaded and sewed for days I even shared a pic of me sewing the gowns in my jammies on my previous post!!!
martahandbeadingoncrystalsgown-1.jpg picture by martitalinda
It was beautiful and she got tons of compliments -  she is lovely wearing one of Martitas Plus Size Gowns
martitamadecrystalweddinggown.jpg picture by martitalinda - the back of the gown
martitamadecrystalgownback-1.jpg picture by martitalinda
Even the bridesmaids
009.jpg picture by martitalinda
AND MY FRIEND MICHELE THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST MADE THE CAKE
045.jpg picture by martitalinda
AND MY FRIEND PAM THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST MADE THE JEWELRY
martitamadecrystalgowns.jpg picture by martitalinda
AND WE GAVE IT ALL TO CRYSTAL AND ERIC AS A GIFT ON THEIR SPECIAL DAY - A REAL HOME MADE WEDDING COURTESY OF HER FRIENDS AND THEIR VARIOUS TALENTS
043.jpg picture by martitalinda
Life is soooooooooooo good!!! I have the energy of a lifetime - stretching my talents to the limits - food is no longer my master - the demon of obesity is under my feet.  At one year out I am at my personal goal - 115 lbs from my highest of 285 lbs.  I am living my life like it is golden.  Thank you my beautiful OH family for your support and encouragement and for allowing me to share with you.

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SPENT THE WEEKEND SEWING
on February 11, 2008 4:32 am

I sewed my friend's wedding gown - and her flower girls dress.... life is soooooooooo much better without the food monkey on my shoulder - I LOVE MY POUCH!!!
martagown1.jpg picture by martitalinda
THIS IS ME TODAY READY FOR WORK - IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOO COLD OUT I AM FREEEEEEEEEZING!!!
marta3feb11.jpg picture by martitalinda

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Dr. Phil's Test - I scored 48
on February 8, 2008 11:15 am
D r. Phil's Test:  Here you go.  Try this!
Below is Dr. Phil's test .  (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on
Oprah - she got a 38.)  Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff
out!  Read on, this is very interesting!
Don't be overly sensitive!  The following is pretty accurate and it only
takes 2 minutes.  Take this test for yourself and send it to your
friends. 
The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box.
Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to
the person who sent it to you.)  Don't peek, but begin the test as you
scroll down and answer. 
Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past  Have
pen or pencil and paper ready  
This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the
major corporations today.  It helps them get better insight concerning
their employees and prospective employees.  It's only 10 Simple
questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter
answers to each question.
Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total.  When
you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to
the person who sent this to you.  Make sure to put YOUR score in the
subject box.
Ready?
Begin. 
1.  When do you feel your best?
a)  in the morning
b)  during the afternoon and early evening
c)  late at night 

2.  You usually walk...
a)  fairly fast, with long steps
b)  fairly fast, with little steps
c)  less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d)  less fast, head down
e)  very slowly 

3.  When talking to people you. .. 
a)  stand with your arms folded
b)  have your hands clasped
c)  have one or both your hands on your hips
d)  touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e)  play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair.

4.  When relaxing, you sit with. ..
a)  your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b)  your legs crossed
c)  you r legs stretched out or straight
d)  one leg curled under you 

5.  When something really amuses you, you react with...
a)  big appreciated laugh
b)  a laugh, but not a loud one
c)  a quiet chuckle
d)  a sheepish smile 

6  When you go to a party or social gathering you...
a)  make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b)  make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c)  make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed 

7.  You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're
interrupted...
a)  welcome the break
b)  feel extremely irritated
c)  vary between these two extremes 

8.  Which of the following colors do you like most? 
a)  Red or orange
b)  black
c)  yellow or light blue
d)  green
e)  dark blue or purple
f)  white
g)  brown or gray 

9.  When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going
to sleep you  are... 
a)  stretched out on your back
b)  stretched out face down on your stomach
c)  on your side, slightly curled
d)  with your head on one arm
e)  with your head under the covers 

10.  You often dream that you are... 
a)  falling
b)  fighting or struggling
c)  searching for something or somebody
d)  flying or floating
e)  you usually have dreamless sleep
f)  your dreams are always pleasant 

POINTS:

1.  (a) 2    (b) 4    (c) 6
2.  (a) 6    (b) 4    (c) 7    (d) 2    (e) 1
3.  (a) 4    (b) 2    (c) 5    (d) 7    (e) 6
4.  (a) 4    (b) 6    (c) 2    (d) 1
5.  (a) 6    (b) 4    (c) 3    (d) 5    (e) 2
6.  (a) 6    (b) 4    (c) 2
7.  (a) 6    (b) 2    (c) 4
8.  (a) 6    (b) 7    (c) 5    (d) 4    (e) 3    (f) 2    (g) 1
9.  (a) 7    (b) 6    (c) 4    (d) 2    (e) 1
10 (a) 4    (b) 2    (c) 3    (d) 5    (e) 6    (f) 1 
Now add up the total number of points. 
OVER 60 POINTS :  Others see you as someone they should 'handle with
care.'  You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely
dominant.  Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you,
but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved
with you. 
51 TO 60 POINTS :  Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile,
rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make
decisions, though not always the right ones.  They see you as bold and
adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes
chances and enjoys an adventure.  They enjoy being in your company
because of the excitement you radiate. 
41 TO 50 POINTS:  Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing,
practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the
center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to
their head.  They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding;
someone who'll always cheer them u p and help them out. 
31 TO 40 POINTS :  Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful &
practical.  They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest.
Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's
extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty
in return.  Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to
shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long
time to get over if that trust is ever broken. 
21 TO 30 POINTS:  Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy.  They
see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder.
It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or
on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully
from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this
reaction is caused partly by your careful nature. 
UNDER 21 POINTS:  People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive,
someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make he decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or
anything!  They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't
exist.  Some people think you' re boring.  Only those who know you well
know that you aren't.

Now forward this to others, and put your score in the subject box of
your e-mail.    

MY DAUGHTER AND I - I HAD RNY ONE YEAR AGO SHE DID IT BY RIDDING HERSELFOF BAD CARBS AND EXERCISING - ONE HOUSE TWO DIETS AND 100% SUPPORT OVERALL - WE ARE WORKIN' IT!!!
martaandcandiweightloss.jpg picture by martitalinda
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CELEBRATED TWO SURGIVERSARIES
on February 7, 2008 4:40 am
The day of my surgery 2/5/07 and the day after surgery 2/6/07 my second surgery due to major complication.  My kids took me to the Mohegan Sun casino we saw several shows and had tons of fun, we then went shopping in New York and on Sunday we had dinner at a Japanese Restaurant and after a few spoonfuls of Miso soup and one piece of Sashimi I was totally full and satisfied and enjoyed the company which included my ex believe it or not.  All in all I had a wonderful time.  Today I weighed in at 118 lbs and I am totally comfortable in my body.  I want to lose a few more lbs to have my cushion.  I am going to maintain for life and pay it forward always.  This is me and my family over the weekend and me today.
martitaandfamily.jpg picture by martitalinda
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ONE YEAR AGO TODAY - IT IS MY SURGIVERSARY!!!
on February 5, 2008 4:41 am
One year ago today I risked my life on an operating room table, I had my stomach resized and my intestines diverted.  I decided to find the person I once was using my life experiences to increase my internal and my tool to assist me in enhancing my external and this is what I got: THANK YOU MY WONDERFUL O.H. FAMILY FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!

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