Page 148 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2022

HEALTHY LIVING
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FORD before and after her weight loss surgery.
Ford really hopes her story inspires people contemplating weight loss surgery. According to Ford, she feels it was the best medical decision she ever made. Following her surgery, she has no regrets looking back. If she could give one piece of advice it would be, “Surgery is simply a tool to help someone struggling with their weight to help them reach their goals. In the end, you still have to commit to a healthy lifestyle after surgery.”
story courtesy of Singing River Health System photos courtesy of Marya Ford
Marya Ford’s health was spiraling out of control and on the path to diabetes, heart disease and other serious complications due to her obesity. She weighed in at 343 pounds in October of 2021, with little energy and motivation.
She had been considering weight loss surgery for quite some time. Dr. Avara came highly recommended to her by a coworker who recently had gastric sleeve surgery. Once she finally decided to do a consultation, she immediately felt a warm welcome from everyone at Singing River Weight Loss Center. Everyone from the staff at the front desk to the nursing staff, nutritionist and Dr. Avara was very professional, welcoming and made her feel at ease about her decision to pursue treatment.
Ford anticipated the days leading up to her surgery. The uncertainty and unknown were hard to bear at times. She kept asking herself, “Will this work? What if I fail? Will I see results?” Despite her uncertainties, the surgery ended up going a lot smoother than she ever could have imagined. She experienced very little pain, with no complications.
Now a year post-operation, she is so proud to say she has lost a total of 140 pounds. “It’s the little things I wasn’t able to do before that I can do now that make the surgery so incredibly worth it. I’m healthier, have so much more energy, and surgery reversed my sleep apnea and fatty liver. Just being able to simply cross my legs as a female when sitting in a chair or fitting comfortably in a booth at a café or restaurant makes it all worthwhile,” said Ford. “Also, buying cute clothes and feeling good in them and not getting short of breath anymore when doing any sort of physical activity is an incredible feeling. I ultimately feel like I’m living life again and my best life at that!”
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
148 | December 2022
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