For years, Jessica Carroll of Saltillo struggled with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a hormonal imbalance affecting one in five women. 

PCOS is linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome, disrupting insulin, the body’s tool for dealing with sugar and making weight loss feel nearly impossible. 

“I would eat great, and in a month, I would go and weigh and I would be heavier than I was before,” Jessica recalls. “It's very weighing on you literally and physically, and it can make you question everything.”

Her OB-GYN explained that PCOS is present from birth, though symptoms often appear in the late teens and 20s. For Jessica, the turning point came at 30, when her weight spiraled out of control. 

“Dealing with PCOS, it was a lot,” she shares. “It put me in a dark place.”

Taking the Leap

Jessica’s doctor recommended weight loss surgery with the team at North Mississippi Health Services. “PCOS does not have a cure,” she says, “but the weight loss surgery has helped me to be able to lose the weight and keep it off.” 

The transformation was dramatic—she lost 108 pounds. 

She also overcame sleep apnea, adding, “I no longer snore or stop breathing during the night.”

Living Life to the Fullest

Now Jessica embraces life with renewed energy. She enjoys kayaking, outdoor adventures and exploring theme parks.

“Life now is more fun,” she says. “We love theme parks. When I go to a theme park now, I don't worry about whether I'm going to fit on the ride, and I don't worry about getting tired walking around and not being able to keep up with my family.”

When Jessica was younger, she competed in beauty pageants. But as she gained weight, she lost confidence.

Now, she’s the reigning Mrs. Lee County 2025 and Mrs. Prime Mississippi. 

“When I get on a stage, I feel beautiful and confident,” she says. “Five years ago, before I lost weight, I would never have been able to do that. I was embarrassed by the way I looked.”

‘Don’t Wait’

Jessica encourages others struggling with their weight not to delay. “Don’t wait. Losing weight is life changing,” she urges. “The sooner you do, the sooner you will start feeling better and be on the way to a new you.”