Weight management is the most important part of the program - It helps you prepare and take mini steps towards your weight loss surgery.

Dianne M.

Nutritional Counseling classes helped me to change my eating habits and pattern.

Maria R.

Nutritional counseling handouts and slides shown were very informative and helpful. Much of the materials was known to me from prior Diabetic Classes, but this time the materials were presented in an easier way to understand. The small class size was also very helpful.

Robert D.

Nutritional classes have helped me learn how to eat healthy meals three times a day and what healthy snacks to eat in-between meals.

Andrea J.

The weight Management program is a MUST! Excellent program!

Arlene H.

I have all the knowledge to make this tool (Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery) successful by learning from the Nutritional Classes here.

Dawn H.

The Registered Dietitian was sooo sensitive about weight struggles and very sweet, but honest about health risks.

Kristin N.

My name is Karen W. and I had bariatric surgery on May the 20th 2015. I am 8 weeks post-op. I want to thank Dr. Essien for just being the most compassionate and caring and genuine person that he is. When I came to his office I was physically unable to walk on my own using wheelchairs and walkers.

Just a little bit of my story - I have osteoarthritis all through my body; my knees are bone to bone. My life was a mess. I was on Percocet a day sometimes more. The surgery has saved my life and giving me a new journey to be healthy and maybe live 15-20 years longer. My emotional state is so good. I'm very energetic. So happy that I met Dr. Essien. I am pain pill free two days!!! And almost 50 pounds lighter in 8 weeks.

Thank you Jesus for this doctor and all he does for everyone that comes to his office. He treats everyone the same and thank you M'fon. You are an awesome woman of God.

Karen W.

Hi my name is Renee G. and this is a testimonial of my weight-loss journey. I started thinking about surgery for weight-loss about two years ago. I did a lot of research on the Internet trying to find out which would be the best surgery for me. About a year and a half ago I started looking into it into finding a doctor. I found Dr. Essien through my husband and his work at Inland Valley Hospital. I had my first appointment with Dr. Essien in October 2012 and after meeting with Dr. Essien he decided or we decided the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the best surgery for me. It was some work for Dr. Essien's office to get my approval from my insurance company but they did most of the work for me and in March 2013 we got approval for my surgery.

I started this journey weighing about 280 pounds on blood pressure medicine. Couldn’t walk more than a block, sore ankle, sore knees, didn't sleep well, snored loud and no motivation to do anything.

I am 11 months postop and I have lost a little over 100 pounds. I work out five days a week and have never felt better. I can take long walks with my husband. we go hiking, fishing things that were really hard for me to do before. This truly was a great start in my weight-loss journey. I still have ways to go but with this tool, it has made things so much better. I can't thank Dr. Essien and his staff enough for this opportunity for this journey."

Renee G.

My name is Mike S. and I would like to say thank you to Dr. Essien and his staff. I have had back problems and went through back surgery and had gained a lot of weight from not being able to move around and exercise much. I was laid up for over three years. My back surgeon said he done everything that could be done for me but there was just too much damage and my bones were weak. He suggested that I have bariatric surgery to help give relief to my back.

My health provider put me in contact with Dr. Essien and his staff. We discussed my situation and he recommended doing the Gastric sleeve surgery. I had the surgery on March 19, 2013 and within 4 months I lost over 65 pounds and I am now able to move around and enjoy myself. My nerve in my leg giving me much of my back discomfort has been manageable. Thanks to Dr. Essien his staff and the support group I can enjoy a better quality life now.

Mike S.

Dear Dr. Essien,
Thank you for making time in your schedule to, quite simply, save my life.
In the midst of this unprecedented situation for the medical community, my family and I are profoundly grateful for your compassion, and for allowing us to benefit from your mastery of your profession, and your dedication to the practice of medicine.
Every aspect of our interaction with your team and the Surgery Center was exceptionally well-handled, and we extend our thanks to Dr. Case, and to the entire organization.

It was a joy to celebrate a successful outcome together, a privilege to work with you and your team, and an honor to get to know you.
We were both at Baylor College of Medicine during your Fellowship in the 1970's; I produced medical and scientific television, multimedia and executive communications (including, as we discussed, repurposing Leninger's "Biochemistry" text).
Under Dr. DeBakey's leadership, the institution set the standard for surgical expertise and medical practice - those world-class standards are well-maintained under your leadership here, all those miles and years away.

Thank you again, Dr. Essien. Please let me know if I can ever be of help.

Daniel E. L.