Page 88 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2023

HEALTHY LIVING
DAY
BY DAY,
POUND
BY POUND
story courtesy of Singing River Health System photos courtesy of Ashley Noakley
Ashley Noakley was sick and tired of being sick and tired from her obesity. Any medication she took did not suppress the side effects of her unhealthy lifestyle. She was living in endless denial of her health issues with no motivation to seek treatment until she was faced with an unexpected life threatening family emergency.
At the height of her health issues, her nephew experienced a health scare and was born four months prematurely. His health scare and fight to stay alive pushed her to finally pursue treatment. She thought to herself, “How was I going to fight to stay alive to live a more fulfilled life with him?” At that moment, she realized if she did not do something to change, she may not be around long enough to watch him grow up.
Shortly after, she scheduled an appointment with her general practitioner who then referred her to see Dr. Avara at Singing River Weight Loss Center. Looking back now, she now realizes this referral ultimately saved her life.
Her first encounter in meeting Dr. Avara and his staff was in March of 2022. The experience felt honest from the beginning and more reassuring throughout the process. He is not one to sugarcoat anything when it comes to any health concerns but had a way of making you feel so comfortable throughout the process.
Overall, the surgery went well. The days and weeks following surgery were not as bad as she anticipated. The actual ‘diet’ after surgery was the most challenging part, but once she got into a routine of when, how much, and what to eat, it became much easier to maintain.
Noakley weighed in at 303 pounds in March of 2022 and now,
to date, she is proud to say she is down a total of 132 pounds and counting! She now enjoys weight lifting and running, while actively doing both five to six times per week. Before surgery, she could not have walked a mile without being completely winded and out of energy. She takes it day by day while trying to maintain a high-
NOAKLEY before and after her weight loss surgery.
protein diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Noakley says, “I am proud I can now shop and wear clothes that I
never thought I would be able to wear! I went from a size 24 pants to a size 10, almost 8, and from a 3XL shirt to a medium or large, sometimes small!”
Looking back, she feels blessed to have been given the knowledge and tools for success in advance of treatment by Dr. Avara at Singing River Weight Loss Center. She feels like she would not have had the same experience or outcome without knowing what she knows now.
To explore weight loss options and begin your journey, call 228.872.7277 or visit SingingRiverWeightLoss.com.
William T. “Pete” Avara III, MD, FACS
Singing River Weight Loss Center
228.872.7277
15190 Community Rd., Gulfport
1124 Oakleigh Rd. Ocean Springs
2525 Telephone Rd. Pascagoula
Jason Payne, MD, FACS
William Berglind, MD, PhD
John Hall, MD, PhD
Robert Cromer, MD
88 | January 2023
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