The biggest turn on my journey to health began with my VSG on 09/05/18. It was the best tool to health that I could have ever given myself. In the last year, I have lost over 100lbs, gone from a women's size 28 down to a size 12, my fatty liver disease has completely reversed, and my cholesterol is down to normal levels. None of this would have been possible without the professionalism, dedication, and care from Dr. Ekhaese! I cannot possibly thank or recommend him enough! 

Tina Howard

Texas

Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Obos Ekhaese and his team at The Center for Obesity and Bariatric Surgery has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I will forever be grateful to them. My mother and cousin had the gastric bypass 3 years prior and at that time, I was very afraid of it. I lacked knowledge of the surgery itself and was scarred for them. My mom asked me if I would think about or consider it and I thought "no way, I can do this on my own." Well, I struggled on my own with numerous diets and exercise. I watched my mother not only become a "skinny minny" but she became healthy, no longer taking blood pressure medications and no longer having diabetes issues.

She and my cousin did excellent and I became curious. On the way home from eating out at a restaurant feeling stuffed, miserable, and FAT. I looked at my husband and said: "I am going to have the gastric bypass surgery." He in turn, looked at me wondering where that statement came from then asked what do you have to do. I knew that I had to attend a seminar as well as 6 months of clinical appointments. I was tired of the struggle and not liking myself for whom and what I had become. I made up my mind in a split second and never looked back. I attended the seminar, which is so incredibly informative that I knew I had made the best decision for me. At that time all my fears went out the window and were replaced with excitement. The 6 months I went through the program flew by. April 26, 2010, was THE DAY that changed my life! My motto became "Gettin Thin in 2010” and that is what I did. After about 20lbs of weight loss, I no longer struggled with sleep apnea or hypertension. With continued weight loss, I could walk or climb a flight of stairs without almost passing out from being out of breath.

I could play outside with my nephew and nieces instead of sitting in a chair and watching. I stopped hurting in my knees and hips as well. The confidence I began to have in myself was unbelievable! I am now 1-year post-op, 80 lbs. HEALTHY, loving life and living it to the fullest. This journey has been beautiful and one of the best rides I have ever been on. I made the BEST choice for ME. As I look at my future, attending the monthly support group meetings at UTMB, using my "gastric by-pass tool" LIFE looks extremely positive. know my LIFE will be blessed and healthy always.

Casey

Texas

The first picture was taken in December 2018. Our combined weight then was around 700 lbs. We enrolled in the program in Jan 2019. Shannon had surgery on March 20th - I had Mine April 8th. Shannon was 32 and I was 34 when we had our surgeries. The second pic was taken in July this year, we had been in the program for about 6 months and were roughly 3-4 months post-surgery. Our combined weight was around 500 lbs, so close to 200 lbs down from the first pic. Currently, our combined weight is around 450 lbs - so together we have lost about 250 lbs in the last 9 months or so.

The two little dogs in the pics are Oliver (white one) and Archibald (Tricolor one). The big black lab is Jake, and the bulldog is Lola.

Shanon & Craig Porter

Texas

Meet Stephen Edmonds. He is a patient of Dr. Obos Ekhaese. In 2018, 120 lbs were removed from his laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Mr. Edmonds is also a Licensed Physical Therapist. He has inspired his entire family (home and work) to adopt a new healthy lifestyle.

Stephen Edmonds

Texas