Page 95 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2020

“The surgery has improved my mental and emotional health tremendously,” she says. “I used to make food such a priority that I let other things in my life fall
to the wayside, such as my health, mental stability,
and educational success. With this surgery, I was able to turn my life from a depressive state into mental freedom.”
Five years later, Biggs is a personal trainer at Body Quest Fitness and Aerobics in Gautier, where she helps others to reach their full potential. “The name of
my fitness organization is Swan Fitness,” Biggs said. “The swan is my symbol, a representation of my body transformation.”
No one is more proud of her than her mother, who says, “Denise was headed to being overweight for the rest of her life and nearing 500 pounds – that is, until Dr. Avara had a conversation with her that changed her life. As a mother, there were some really difficult times watching my daughter struggle with her weight; there were times that I didn’t know what to do and felt that I had no one to turn to. Finding South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss was a blessing for both of us. I am so thankful to Dr. Avara and his team for giving my daughter her life back.”
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has been helping men and women like Denise Biggs
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.
To learn more about weight loss surgery, visit their website at smsurgicalweightloss.com, where you can register to receive a free information session.
ABOVE/LEFT: Denise Biggs before surgical weight loss.
TOP: Biggs after having gastric sleeve surgery. TOP RIGHT: Biggs with her mother, Sonya Biggs.
DR. WILLIAM AVARA, III DR. JASON PAYNE DR. JOHN HALL
South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center
1124 Oakleigh Road, Ocean Springs 228.872.7277 • www.smsurgicalweightloss.com
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
January 2020 | 95