Page 46 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2020

HEALTHY LIVING
OVERCOMING DIABETES
Local Woman Defeats Disease Through Surgical Weight Loss
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Stacey Puzz
I n late 2018, 38-year-old Stacey Puzz was diagnosed as diabetic. “It seemed inevitable since I had already had gestational diabetes and was considered
morbidly obese,” she said. “I knew then that it was time to gain control of my life and my health. My dad passed away at the age of 56 due to diabetic complications, and I didn’t want my children to experience that pain.”
Around the time Puzz made the decision to pursue surgical weight loss, her mother fell ill and required surgery. Her surgeon was Dr. John Hall, a doctor with South Mississippi Surgeons.
“My mom was in the hospital for a month, and during that time I got to know Dr. Hall,” Puzz recalled. “He was easy to talk to, very compassionate, and knowledgeable in everything regarding my mom’s procedure. He told me he was also with South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center, and I immediately knew I wanted him to perform my weight loss surgery. We had built a rapport, and he calmed nerves with his knowledge.”
Puzz was Dr. Hall’s first bariatric patient with the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center and has become a poster child for success. She had her gastric sleeve surgery in June of 2019, and in less than a year has already lost 171 pounds. “I’ve lost an entire person!” she said proudly. “I weigh 176 pounds now – I haven’t seen that weight since at least 9th grade.”
With her weight under control, Puzz has conquered her diabetes and found her true self in the process. “I’ve always had a passion for music and loved to sing, but it took this surgery for me to have the courage to stand on stage and audition to sing the national anthem for the Shuckers.
As the weight fell off, the depression went away, and the confidence came out. The true Stacey came out!”
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has 46 | May 2020
BEFORE PUZZ prior to weight loss surgery.
AFTER PUZZ has lost 171 pounds in less than a year.
been helping men and women like Stacey Puzz to meet their weight loss goals since its formation in 2000. Founded by South Mississippi Surgeons, they have been providing the Coast with quality surgical care for over 30 years.
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
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