Page 100 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2021

HEALTHY LIVING
the
Fit
Wiggins Man Finds His Weight Loss Solution
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster L photos courtesy of Mike Vick
ooking back on the decisions that changed our lives for the better, most of us can pinpoint a moment, a particular instance that acted as the catalyst for that
change. For Mike Vick, a 30-year-old father from Wiggins, that moment happened at a restaurant.
“I remember being kicked out of an all-you-can eat buffet
for eating too much,” Vick recalled. “That embarrassment, paired with my lack of energy to be the dad I wanted to be, was enough to push me to make a change.”
After his first phone call to the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center (SMSWLC), Vick knew that he had found his answer. “Something about them gave me good vibes during that first phone call,” he said. “I backed out of a weight loss surgery before because I didn’t trust the place or the doctor. I called a few places before finding SMSWLC, but none of them were the right fit for me.”
SMSWLC was Vick’s “right fit,” as was his surgeon, Dr. John Hall. “Dr. Hall is a wonderful surgeon. I wish I had met him years ago,” says Vick. “Heck, the whole team there rocks. My experience with them was amazing. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.”
Since undergoing his gastric sleeve surgery in July of last year, Vick says he is happy to be able to run a 14-minute mile (a time that gets lower with each run) and spend more quality time with his children without having to worry about the pain caused by his weight.
“My family tells me I’m much happier and always smiling,” Vick says. “The old me died on July 8, 2020, and I haven’t looked back.”
MIKE VICK before and after his gastric sleeve surgery.
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has been helping men and women like Mike Vick 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. Surger- ies are performed at Singing River Health System locations.
To learn more about weight loss surgery, visit their website at smsurgicalweightloss.com, where you can register for a free webinar to start your weight loss journey.
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
100 | July 2021
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