Page 168 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2020

HEALTHY LIVING
BETTER
Husband and wife duo share weight loss journey
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Jay and Ana Lanning
They say that life is better shared, and Jay and Ana Lanning are a testament to that fact. The husband and wife duo are celebrating their two-
year anniversary this month, as well as conquering one of their biggest challenges yet, together.
Newly married and both over 300 pounds, the Lannings knew that it was time to make a change. “I was tired of feeling tired and out of breath all the time,” said Ana. “The breaking point was not being able to keep up with my two-year-old grandson.”
“I remember watching weight loss reality shows and worrying about getting over 400 pounds,” Jay recalled. “I kept thinking that it couldn’t happen to me, but the truth was... I was close.”
The couple had tried every diet imaginable, but the constant loss and gain of weight was disheartening. “I realized then that if I didn’t get help, I would continue to gain weight,” said Ana. “So I started researching weight loss procedures.”
Jay was hesitant when Ana rst mentioned surgery,
but nally agreed to consider it after reading reviews of South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center. They didn’t know Dr. Avara at rst but got to know him and loved working with him. He had great manners and knowledge about this journey not being a quick x, that they had work to do. After speaking with Dr. Avara, both opted to receive a gastric sleeve and, in a true show of unity, underwent surgery on the same day, just one hour apart.
TOGETHER
168 | September 2020
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AFTER
ANA AND JAY LANNING have lost a combined 220 pounds since surgery.
BEFORE THE LANNINGS prior to weight loss surgery.
The two did extremely well in recovery, crediting the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center sta and the support of the two gave each other. “At 9 p.m. the night after the surgery, we met in the hospital hallway and went on a walking date,” said Jay. Ana added, “We took the rst steps of the rest of our lives together that day, and we’ve kept taking healthy steps every day since.”
Following surgery, the couple’s next step was to restructure their lifestyle. South Mississippi Surgical