Page 76 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2020

HEALTHY LIVING WINNING THE FIGHT
College student loses 196 pounds through surgical weight loss
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of David Caul eld
F or many, obesity is a lifelong struggle – one that comes with its own set of emotional and physical hurdles. At the young age of 21, David Caulfield
decided that it was time to win the fight against his increasing weight, and sooner rather than later.
“I was overweight from a very early age,” he said. “I was always the biggest kid in school, and that has really affected me growing up because I wasn’t able to do the same things my friends could do. As I was going through middle school and high school, my weight started to become an issue I couldn’t ignore anymore.”
Caulfield achieved temporary success through diet and exercise, but each time he found that he gained all the weight back, plus some. As the disappointments piled up, he resolved to do whatever it took to lose the weight – for good this time.
“I was ready to live my life the way I wanted to live it. I wanted to be able to do everything my friends could do. I wanted to be able to fit into normal sized clothes. I wanted to see myself as a person that I wasn’t ashamed of.”
Caulfield had heard about weight loss surgery, but didn’t know much about it. While doing his research, he stumbled upon South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss (SMSWL) and knew he had finally found the answer he had been looking for.
“I felt at home and welcomed at SMSWL,” he said. “Everyone really wanted the best out of me, and that just made my support group even bigger. I consider the people there my family, and I will always be grateful for their loving support.”
Weighing 436 pounds at his heaviest, Caulfield is proud of his results following his vertical sleeve gastrectomy. “I’ve lost 196 pounds since my surgery two years ago,” he said. “At 240 pounds, I am so much more confident in my body and how I carry myself in public. I’m not ashamed of myself anymore.”
His improved confidence has helped Caulfield to fully appreciate his time as a student at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg, where he
DAVID CAULFIELD
before surgical weight loss.
CAULFIELD with his girlfriend, Marybeth Charnock, after losing nearly 200 pounds.
enjoys spending time with his friends and exploring the outdoors.
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has been helping men and women like David Caulfield 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.
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
76 | February 2020
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