155 Pounds Lost, One Rewarding Life Gained
The Story of Fred Nosser
Fred Nosser’s Bariatric Sleeve Surgery and Weight Loss Journey
Before Fred Nosser of Vancleave, MS, lost it all, he had tried it all. From cabbage-only diets to popular televised weight loss plans and fads, every plan Fred attempted would eventually fail, leaving him living a very limiting lifestyle.
At 370 pounds, Fred was also suffering from severe back pain. Despite having several back surgeries, his pain would always return. This continuous discomfort coupled with the added weight prevented him from moving up and down stairs, and limited his ability to visit family members or attend events.
Things changed when his daughter Laura and son-in-law Josh delivered the news that he would soon be a grandfather. It was then that Fred made the decision to commit himself to permanent change, and reached out to South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center.
Fred Meets Dr. William Avara
There he met Dr. William Avara, the award-winning bariatric surgeon from Mississippi who has performed more than 4,000 bariatric surgeries to date, including a procedure for one of Fred’s friends.
“If my friend can do it, I know I can do it,” said Fred.
After seeing her transformation, Fred met with Dr. Avara, and together they began the journey that would result in a 155-pound weight loss.
Weight Loss Surgery Education
Fred’s path began with education. He attended classes to understand the change that would take place in his body, and how to eat properly afterward. The knowledge was life changing for Fred, who was fully prepared by the time surgery was scheduled at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula.
Gastric Sleeve aka Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
On January 5, 2017, Fred Nosser was admitted for the Gastric Sleeve procedure. Gastric Sleeve Surgery, also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), is a restrictive type of bariatric surgery that permanently reduces the size of the stomach. It promotes weight loss by limiting food intake and decreasing the sensation of hunger; it does not involve intestinal rerouting or food malabsorption.
During surgery, Dr. Avara removed about three-quarters (60-80%) of the stomach along the outside curve. The new stomach or “sleeve” is the shape of a banana, which spans the original distance from the esophagus to the small intestine. The pyloric valve, the normal outlet which controls the release of food from the stomach to the small intestine, continues to function normally. The surgery also helps to control hunger by removing the upper stomach portion, which is the area that produces the hunger stimulating hormone, ghrelin.
Fred’s Weight Loss Surgery Results
The results are dramatic. Fred went from 370 pounds, a size 22-inch neck, size 56-inch waist and an 11.5 shoe size to a 215-pound weight, a 15.5-inch neck, a 38-inch waist and a 10.5 shoe size!
Within three months, Fred’s prescription eye glasses were also changed because his vision actually improved after surgery. Nosser credits Dr. Avara and the great healthcare team at Singing River Health System.
“Everyone was just great – from Dr. Avara to the hospital staff,” said Fred. “I listened and followed the protocol exactly, which really made the difference in my recovery.”
Fred advises anyone considering weight loss surgery to reach out and ask for help. He adds, “After you make the decision, stick to the plan, treat it like your bible and follow it strictly!”
Today Fred and his wife Susan are enjoying their lives as grandparents to Lucas, just three months old. His newfound energy and mobility has changed his life, allowing him to be the grandfather he always wanted to be.
The South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center was founded by South Mississippi Surgeons in the year 2000. For more than 30 years, South Mississippi Surgeons (SMS) have been providing quality surgical care.
Dr. Avara has practiced general surgery since 1987 and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Eastern Association for Surgery of Trauma, and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
Get More Information on Weight Loss Surgery
Drs. Avara, Payne, and Hall perform weight loss surgery at Singing River Health System using the latest surgical techniques and maintain a stellar record of success.
Visit Weight Loss Surgery at Singing River to discover more or register for an informational session about starting your weight loss journey.
