Page 178 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2019

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HEALTHY LIVING gastric bypass BREAKING
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Overcoming obesity through surgical weight loss
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Susan Schroeder
usan Schroeder, 51, of D’Iberville recalls having struggled with her weight for
most of her life. “I had always been heavy, built just like others in my family,” she says.
But just because her family had a history of obesity didn’t mean that she was destined to
continue the chain.
“After I had my son, I didn’t want to be that ‘fat mom’
who didn’t do anything with their child,” Schroeder said. “I didn’t want to embarrass him. Yes, I was a healthy fat person – my blood pressure was normal and I didn’t have diabetes, though it runs in my family – but I had knee and back pain caused by the extra weight.”
Schroeder felt like she had tried every diet known to man, but nothing worked. “I would lose five pounds only to gain ten back,” she said. Feeling like she was out of options, Schroeder was relieved when she started hearing positive outcomes for weight loss surgery.
After meeting with one of South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss’ physicians, Dr. Avara, Schroeder knew she was in good hands. The two decided on gastric bypass surgery because Schroeder needs to lose more weight than what a gastric band would support.
Her surgery was scheduled for July 31, 2007, and since that day she has lost 180 pounds. “I’ve kept it off for 12 years,” Schroeder said. “I still have 40 pounds that I would love to lose, but I have gained confidence and the ability to do anything I want to do.”
To look at her now, you’d never know that Schroeder once struggled with obesity. She is a lifeguard for the City of Biloxi, a strenuous and active position, and enjoys participating in endurance sports such as marathons and triathlons.
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has been helping men and women like Susan Schroeder to meet their weight loss goals since their formation in 2000.
ABOVE TOP: SUSAN SCHROEDER before her weight loss.
ABOVE BOTTOM: SCHROEDER lost over 180 pounds after surgery from South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss.
Founded by South Mississippi Surgeons (SMS), they have been providing the Coast with quality surgical care for over 30 years.
To learn more about weight loss surgery, visit their website at smsurgicalweightloss.com, where you can register to receive a free information session.
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
178 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2019
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