Reclaiming Health Through Bariatric Surgery

For many, the path to better health feels like a constant uphill battle. For Gloria Boror, a clinic supervisor at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group - Sugar Land, health concerns reached a critical point.  Despite trying every diet program and exercise routine she could find, the weight always returned, bringing added health conditions.

By age 26, Gloria was taking several daily medications and struggling to manage her type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high blood pressure and exhaustion. But the true wake-up call came in 2022 during a routine check-up. A urinalysis revealed that her kidneys were beginning to fail — a complication of her ongoing health issues.

Having watched her father spend 26 years on dialysis, Gloria knew she needed a change, but didn’t know what her next steps should be.

Finding the Right Path Forward

Like many people, Gloria hesitated to consider surgery. She held the common belief that bariatric surgery was a substitute for self-discipline. She was also nervous about undergoing a procedure. Still, she had to acknowledge that, despite her best efforts, her health was continuing to decline. She knew it was time to schedule an appointment with a specialist to discuss her options.

Brandon Fadner, MD, a board-certified general surgeon who is fellowship-trained in bariatric surgery and board-certified in obesity medicine, reviewed Gloria’s medical history and listened to her concerns about wanting to achieve results independently. He explained the science of how her metabolism had stalled and why, for some people, the body’s internal signals get stuck. He described  how medical intervention acts as a necessary 'reset' for a system that does not respond to standard lifestyle changes. 

“There’s this persistent idea that if you’re struggling with weight, you should just 'try harder,’” Dr. Fadner said. “But for many patients, the problem isn’t a lack of effort — it’s that their bodies are fighting a losing battle against their own biology. At that point, you need more than just willpower; you need a clinical partner. My team and I provide that bridge. We’re with our patients from that first consultation through the surgery and well into their long-term health journey."

Gloria realized that accepting help wasn’t a sign of failure — it was a smart, proactive way to protect her future. 

Reclaiming Her Life

After choosing to move forward with a gastric bypass, Gloria’s life changed in ways she hadn't imagined possible. By the second day after surgery, she was off the insulin she had relied on for over a decade. Over the next two years, she lost 130 pounds.

“At the end of the day, my job is to help people get back to their lives,” Dr. Fadner said. “When I see a patient like Gloria reach her health goals, no longer require insulin, it's not just a clinical success — it’s a person getting their life back. And that’s honestly the best part of my job.”

Gloria no longer experiences constant exhaustion. She spends her evenings walking her dogs, spending time with friends and enjoying a level of energy she hasn't felt since she was a child.

Paying it forward at St. Luke’s

Gloria uses her personal experience to support others who are facing the same struggles. She is the first to tell patients that the recovery process requires effort, but she is also the first to prove that the results are worth it.

When asked what advice she offers to those wanting to take action, Gloria said,  "Don't wait. Don't wait until your health hits a crisis to realize you need a change."

Surgery was the push Gloria needed to become the healthiest version of herself.

You don't have to navigate your health journey alone. If you’re ready to explore your weight-loss options, find a bariatric surgeon near you and schedule a consultation today.