Page 57 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2018

I’m no stranger to the gym, but these days I’m a runner. I’m not the fastest and I can’t run the longest, but I am a runner. I can hold my own and I enjoy it, something I have never enjoyed.
After hearing information about weight loss surgery from her aunt and mother, Pope began to realize there might be another way to achieve her goal. “I decided to take the leap and start with
a phone call,” Pope said. “I am thankful that I chose South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center because the staff is excellent; they have been helpful and encouraging every step of the way.” For Pope, having the support of the team at South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss made her ideal weight seem that much more achievable.
After consulting with her doctors, Pope opted to receive the gastric sleeve. Since her surgery, she has lost 120 pounds and has maintained her weight for two years.
“Having this surgery gave me the desire to put myself out there,” Pope said.
“This has been the biggest eye-opener
for me since the surgery. I was in a great
relationship for a while and even though that relationship has since ended, I have become stronger and learned so much about myself in the process. Without the surgery, none of it would have happened; I would still be hiding away behind the ‘funny girl’ personality.”
Another change has been her newfound love of running. “I’m no stranger to the gym, but these days I’m a runner,” Pope said. “I’m not the fastest and I can’t run the longest, but I am a runner. I can hold my own and I enjoy it, something I have never enjoyed.”
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has been helping men and women like Randi Pope to meet their weight loss goals since their formation
in 2000. Founded by South Mississippi Surgeons (SMS), they have been providing the Coast with quality surgical care for over 30 years.
POPE once weighed 264 pounds.
Randi Pope
DR. WILLIAM AVARA, III DR. JASON PAYNE THE STAFF at South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center
South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center
1124 Oakleigh Road, Ocean Springs 228.872.7277 • www.smsurgicalweightloss.com
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net January 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 57