Page 70 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2022

HEALTHY LIVING
LEADING
by
EXAMPLE
Nurse Practitioner Inspires Others to Live Healthy Lives
story courtesy of
Singing River Health System photos courtesy of Tony Tanner
Tony Tanner battled with weight his entire life, contributing his struggles to a long family history of obesity, love for fried chicken, and not seeing the inside of a gym since high school.
In 2018, at 303 pounds and maxing out on blood pressure and cholesterol medications, Tanner and his wife welcomed a little girl, who became his biggest motivator to make a change.
“The ‘AHA’ moment for me was having my first child later in life. I knew I had to do something to improve my health so I could be there for her and watch her grow up.”
Tanner’s other passion is his career as a nurse practitioner, helping others manage chronic illnesses that go hand-in-hand with being overweight, like diabetes and heart disease. This also weighed heavily on him.
“Here I am, telling people how to live their lives while they’re looking at me, thinking, ‘Really, dude? You don’t even take your own advice.’ It finally clicked – if I do something to improve myself, I could also lead by example.”
Lead by example he did. Since undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy with Dr. Jason Payne in 2019, four of Tanner’s patients have followed in his footsteps after seeing his transformation. Yet, surgery is not the only key to success. Tanner is also committed to showing others it’s possible to change the way you eat.
“You never know who’s watching when you’re out to eat. Countless times, I’ve had patients come by the table and ask how I lost the weight. If I’m sitting there with a big plate of fried chicken, it just doesn’t look good.”
Three years later, 100 pounds lighter, and off all medications, Tanner has never looked back.
TANNER before and after his weight loss surgery.
“It’s honestly the most fun journey. Motivation builds every single day as you start to feel better and see the weight fall off.”
Why Weight?
“Sure it takes effort, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s minimal when you think about all the benefits you will get in life.”
To explore weight loss options and begin
your journey, call 228.872.7277 or visit SingingRiverHealthSystem.com/weight-loss-surgery.
William T. “Pete” Jason Payne, John Hall, Avara III, MD, FACS MD, FACS MD, PHD
Singing River Weight Loss Center
228.872.7277
1124 Oakleigh Rd. | Ocean Springs 15190 Community Rd., Suite 260 | Gulfport
70 | March 2022
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