“Now is My Time” – Rebecca Nash’s Weight Loss Story
The Story of Rebecca Nash
How Weight Loss Surgery Made One Patient’s Dreams Possible
Rebecca, 410 lbs, before weight loss surgery
“I thought wow, I can’t continue like this. I can’t take care of people for twelve hours, give them 100% of my all because I’m not well enough to take care of myself. It was my moment of realization that I’m not going to be able to live out my dreams in the career that I want due to my health.”
At that time, Rebecca weighed 410 pounds and was tired, working as both a full-time student and medical technician in the Emergency Room at Ocean Springs Hospital.
“I wanted to become a nurse. I didn’t want to work in the field unhealthy. It’s really hard to teach people about health and education when you know, deep down, that you’re not the one following it yourself. I took that responsibility to heart and decided that now is my time.”
Rebecca joined Singing River Health System’s Healthy Revolution, which offers multiple avenues for its employees to improve their health, including Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery through Singing River Weight Loss Center.
“Dr. Avara explained that my obesity was a disease and that surgery could help me cure it. Just like anybody who is struggling with a medical condition, there was a physician, dieticians, and fellow nurses there to help and continue to do so.”
Rebecca, prepped for weight loss surgery
After completing the healthy lifestyle and preparation classes, Rebecca underwent a gastric sleeve procedure on December 1, 2020. One year later, she is 200 pounds lighter and taking back control of her life.
“I went from being alone, depressed, struggling through school and at work, to a year later I’m a nurse, I’m getting married and having a baby. I’ve been able to set a new path for myself and live a life that I never thought possible.”
“At 400lbs, I never allowed myself to believe I was going to be able to have a baby of my own, putting up this barrier since I was adopted, that I wanted to adopt too. But, you always want one, half you, half of the person you love most in the world. So now that I’m pregnant, I understand that the surgery helped with that, too.”
Why Weight? Her advice to others considering surgical weight loss:
“Everybody is going to have their doubts. Everyone’s human, but in the long run, it is worth having the surgery and changing your life for the better. Not only does it benefit yourself, but you get to live longer for your family, you’re able to do your job better. You really can do whatever you want.”
