Page 85 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2016

and has kept it off. She’s happy with her current weight and feels it’s good for
her. “Before the surgery, I was unhappy;
I didn’t want to buy dresses; I wanted to hide,” Herrington says. “My whole life has changed. I feel better about myself; I’m more active; I have tons of energy and can keep up with my grandchildren.”
Herrington was pleased with the way the team at South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center prepared her mentally and physically for surgery. First, there was an information session at which she was weighed and her BMI taken. Then there was a helpful seminar explaining how the proce- dure would be done, and a nutritionist told her what she would need to do for a life style change. “They also sent me to a psy- chologist to certify that I was ready for this
procedure,” she said. “They took all the precautions to be certain it was right for me and that all
requirements were satisfied for my health insurance.”
Following the sleeve gas- trectomy, Herrington saw
Dr. Avara at two weeks, then a few months later and then a yearly vis-
it. “Dr. Avara told me he’s pleased with me and to
keep doing what I’ve been doing,”
Herrington said. “They’ve continued
monitoring my lab work and nutrition, mak-
ing sure my body is get- ting everything it needs.”
Herrington has extra help from her daughter, nurse Gabbie Lynd, who
has joined the staff at South Mississippi Surgical
Weight Loss Center since the time of her mother’s
surgery. “Gabbie has been a great help, and I’ve been a good patient,” Herrington
said. “I’ve done a lot on my own. I have no desire to be 97
pounds overweight again. I feel so much better about myself. My relationships with my husband and children have improved and my social life has improved.”
Herrington and her husband, Billy — a firefighter and EMT at Ingalls Shipbuild- ing — are the proud parents of a combined family that includes six children and eight grandchildren. “My children were my driving force to lose weight,” she says. “I adjusted my attitude when I decided to lose weight. I knew obesity would cause me more health problems”
In addition to monitoring her weight loss maintenance, Herrington must moni- tor her survival of cancer by going to a cancer center every three weeks and having lab work done every three months. She’s
a weight loss success and a survivor — an unbeatable combination. “I don’t hide any- more!” is now her motto.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
July 2016 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 85
South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center 1124 Oakleigh Road, Ocean Springs 228.872.7277
www.smsurgicalweightloss.com
LEFT: BEFORE Herrington once weighed 248 lbs. RIGHT: AFTER She has now lost 97 lbs.