Transcription:

Bill Klaproth (Host): Meet Jessica Zamot. The front office coordinator at Garden State Bariatrics and Wellness Center. Now not only is Jessica an employee, she is also a patient, having had bariatric surgery performed by Dr. Yurcisin in May of 2018 and has seen hundreds of patients travel through the bariatric surgery process, and she is going to give us her view as an employee and patient. Jessica, thanks for your time. So how long have you worked for Garden State Bariatrics and Wellness Center.

Jessica Zamot (Guest): So I worked for Garden State Bariatrics a little over 2 years. I actually started in December of 2017.

Host: Okay, so when a potential patient asks you about bariatric surgery, you can speak as an actual patient that’s had the procedure.

Jessica: Yes, I can.

Host: Yeah, that’s really good. Tell us about your story. What led you to having bariatric surgery?

Jessica: I guess weight has always been an issue for me. It really became an issue when I entered high school, and then I went through an episode where I did lose a lot of weight, not the healthiest way but I did and then after having kids, becoming a mom, working, taking care of everyone, I lost track of myself again and I packed on the pounds, plus and I got up to a whopping 235 pounds.

Host: So what type of procedure did you have performed?

Jessica: So went with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. I wanted to start off with something that I seen a lot of patients have and you know I felt was the best procedure for me, and yeah I went with the sleeve.

Host: So Jessica, Dr. Yurcisin did your procedure. What was it like working with Dr. Yurcisin?

Jessica: Working with Dr. Yurcisin was actually one of the best experiences I have had with him. I always wondered how was it behind closed doors when the patients would go in and just see the questions that were asked, you know bedside manner, it was awesome. I felt like a patient at that point. I didn’t want to feel like an employee. I wanted him to just really take the time to get to know me medically and know my struggles and really help me make a decision with what procedure was best for me, and he really definitely took the time to go over any questions, concerns, anything that I had related to the surgery. He definitely took his time. He made me feel really comfortable, secure, and I felt like I’m really in good hands.

Host: So tell us about he day of your surgery. What was that day like for you?

Jessica: Oh my god, the day of my surgery you know, I tell patients this all the time actually, I was a mess. I thought my relationship with food was going be over. I was actually laughing and crying at the same time where the nurses would come in and be like are you okay, and I would tell them like yeah I’m just a little nervous. But I was at a great hospital, I went to Deborah Heart and Lung, and I was treated amazingly. The staff at the hospital was great. My physician’s assistant, Michael was awesome. He reassured me that everything was going to be okay, and before you know it I was under and in recovery.

Host: So what was the recovery like for you? The recovery part wasn’t bad at all pain wise, not bad. I was a little nauseous but with a little medication, I felt very good. I was up and walking the same day. It really wasn’t that bad honestly.

Host: So you said the day of the procedure you were crying and laughing at the same time. You were worried about your relationship with food after the procedure. So what is your life been like after the surgery and your relationship with food?

Jessica: I still love my food. I love my food the same way I did before surgery, it’s just that now I’m able to eat smaller portions before I was able to put it away with no problem. I love the fact that I have the restriction. I love the fact that you know I can pretty much eat whatever I want, just I small portions. That’s one of the main questions that patients always ask me when they come in or when they actually are going to have surgery, am I still going to be able to eat? And I was like, absolutely, you’ll still be able to eat, it’s just smaller portions. So I really don’t feel like I miss anything, it’s just I’m not indulging in a full size sub with chips and soda, you know? It’s a lot smaller now.

Host: Right, all right so give us the view your life in general before bariatric weight loss surgery, what is your life like now after bariatric weight loss surgery?

Jessica: Before weight loss surgery, I was very sluggish, I had no energy. I literally would come to work, pick up my kids, go home, cook dinner, and hit the couch. I would not move. I was down until it was time to get the kids ready for bed and I was back in bed again. I really wasn’t active at all. Now after losing 105 pounds, I now have the most energy ever. Like I pick my kids up after work, I’m asking them do they want to go to the park? Do they want to go here? Do they want to go there? I’m cleaning, I’m doing things that I normally would leave for the weekend, getting it done throughout the week. Instead of taking the elevator, I’m taking the stairs. It’s just so funny how you don’t realize the weight you were carrying until you lose it, and it’s so different. I almost feel like – even walking the stairs I feel like I’m flying, I’m so light on my feet now, opposed to before it was just like – oh my god, just to lift a leg, was challenging.

Host: Right, so this has really been life changing for you.

Jessica: Absolutely.

Host: So you said you lost 105 pounds earlier. You said you were at 235. So you dropped 235 to 130 pounds?

Jessica: Yeah, it’s insane.

Host: Wow, holy cow.

Jessica: And the funny thing is I’ve never been 130 pounds in my life. I probably was 130 pounds in 4^th grade. So being 130 pounds is brand new for me as well. I look in a mirror and I literally have to walk back and look at myself again. It’s mind blowing. I feel like a whole new person. I really do.

Host: That’s amazing. So let me ask you one last question then, what advice would you give to someone who is considering bariatric weight loss surgery?

Jessica: I definitely advise, let’s say patients that are calling in looking for a consultation that are on the fence, definitely come in, talk to the doctors, do your research, get your information, sit back and think about it. We’re definitely not an office that when you come in you have to make that decision right then and there, which I love. You know, it’s not a cop out. A lot of people think oh you’re talking the easy way out. If anything, this is a procedure that can definitely prolong your life. I see people no longer diabetics, sleep apnea’s gone, no longer taking medication for high blood pressure. It’s life changing. Definitely get that information. I truly believe that once a patient comes into our office and consults with our doctor and meets with our surgical coordinator and meets with our nutritionist, they feel comfortable. They know that it’s a team effort and there’s no I in team. We’re all in this together, and I’m just pleased with the fact that I can relate to the surgery and with patients that are going through the process, just to let them know that they’re not alone. That I’ve been there and I will be there every step of the way with them.

Host: Well that’s got to be really reassuring to them, very well said. Jessica thank you so much for your time and for more information, please visit the Garden State Bariatrics and Wellness Center website and gsvwc.com, and if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels, and check out our entire podcast library for topics of interest to you. This is Winning Through Losing, a weight loss surgery podcast with Garden State Bariatrics. I’m Bill Klaproth, thanks for listening.