Page 99 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2016

ly confident that I could be a success.”
Following nutrition and education classes, and an initial
weight loss of 50 pounds, Jason underwent gastric sleeve surgery on October 13, 2014, at Singing River Health Sys- tem. By the end of the day of his surgery he was up and walking–completing thirty laps in the hallway. In two days he was home. He embraced his new life with renewed en- thusiasm, listening and following the eating plan precisely. He set a big goal for himself–to beat diabetes within two months.
At one month his weight was down by another 43 pounds. In two months he reached a sixty-pound loss and was approved to be removed from 11 medications includ- ing insulin. The weight continued to drop and today Jason weighs in at 260, just 40 pounds shy of his goal weight of 220, which should qualify him for skin surgery.
“Dr. Avara is the ultimate professional – a perfectionist. I knew the plan would work and I followed it.”
Jason and his wife have celebrated milestones along the way. Last October, they ran in their first 5K together.
Their only goal was not to finish last, and to their sur- prise–they not only achieved that goal, but finished strong at forty-five minutes and 25 seconds.
“My life is completely different now. I feel like the athlete I used to be. I landed a fulltime job with a church in Luce- dale. I can run, ride a bike and play until my kids get tired.
I just have a much better standard of life.”
Jason Powell became a big loser in reality without reality
television. He achieved success without cameras, trainers or a big cash prize. He accomplished it through an integral plan of education, weight loss surgery and commitment to live a healthy lifestyle–a plan provided by Dr. Avara and The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center.
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center was founded by South Mississippi Surgeons in the year 2000. For over 30 years, South Mississippi Surgeons (SMS) have been providing quality surgical care.
Dr. Avara has practiced general surgery since 1987 and has performed over 2,500 bariatric procedures. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a mem- ber of the Eastern Association for Surgery of Trauma, and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
To learn more, visit smsurgicalweightloss.com to register for an informational session about the surgical weight loss journey.
For more than 15 years, the team at South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center have dedicated their careers to improving the lives of their patients through the use of bariatric and metabolic surgery. Our comprehensive pre and post-surgery program ensures that every patient
is appropriately educated prior to surgery, while receiving the long-term support needed to achieve and maintain weight loss goals after surgery. Our Center of Excellence is the only comprehensive program of its kind on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and we are dedicated to helping patients lose weight, and live a long, healthy life.
William “Pete” Avara, lll,
MD, FACS Medical Director, Dr. Avara has been practicing bariatric surgery on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for over 15 years, and has performed over 2,500 bariatric procedures.
Jason Payne, MD, FACS
In 2015, Dr. Jason Payne performed the rst fully, non-assisted robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure in the state of Mississippi.
Lorraine Rauls, FNP-BC
Lorraine is the Program Director for South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss
Center.
1124 Oakleigh Road Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-875-3778
Call or go online for a FREE Informational Seminar to begin your journey
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
June 2016 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 99
South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss
1124 Oakleigh Road, Ocean Springs 228.872.7277
www.smsurgicalweightloss.com