Page 108 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2021

HEALTHY LIVING
“You will thank yourself for getting healthy.”
story by Victoria Snyder Wphotos courtesy of Wes Rogler
eight loss doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it takes time, preparation, and dedication. These are just a couple of things that Wes Rogler
discovered when preparing for and his time after his gastric sleeve surgery.
“At times it felt like it took a while to get from the initial steps to the actual surgery day,” he says. “This process isn’t a race and I’ve realized the importance of not being too hard on myself.”
Before Rogler’s gastric sleeve surgery, the 28-year-old Biloxi citizen didn’t realize he had an addiction to food. Now, he can see that it was taking a toll on his body. He couldn’t sleep through the night, couldn’t exercise without exhausting himself, and struggled at his job.
“I love being able to sleep well now. I have so much more energy, and I’m able to exercise without being completely out of breath,” he states. As a Systems Safety Engineer at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Rogler used to struggle with climbing onto ships. “Now I have more energy to climb ships and walk around the shipyard. It’s a great feeling.”
With Dr. William “Pete” Avara, III, as his surgeon at South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center, Rogler had zero concerns about the surgery. “Dr. Avara is very knowledgeable. We decided that a gastric sleeve was the best option for me.”
Since his surgery in May of 2020, Rogler has lost a total of 210 pounds. “The procedure definitely boosted my mental and emotional well-being, as well as my physical health,” Rogler says. “I have zero regrets.”
His advice for people who are considering the surgery is to go for it. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. You will thank yourself for getting healthy.”
Now, Rogler is able to travel, be outside, and spend time 108 | August 2021
WES ROGLER before and after his gastric sleeve surgery.
with his friends and family as much as he wants thanks to his newfound energy.
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center has been helping men and women like Wes Rogler 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.
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.
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
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
Energy
newfound