By Amelia Ott 

When Andrew crossed the finish line of the Double Decker 5K this spring, jogging every step, he was overwhelmed with emotion. Less than a year earlier, the idea of running or even fitting comfortably in a stadium seat felt impossible. At nearly 500 pounds, he lived in shame, discomfort, and fear for years.

Food had become both comfort and captivity. “If you find yourself at the bariatric clinic,” Andrew said, “chances are you’ve developed a food addiction. For me, food became the answer to everything — whether I was happy, sad, excited, or stressed.”

His turning point came when someone close to him suffered a heart attack linked to obesity. With a young son at home, Andrew realized that unless he made a dramatic change, he might not live to see him grow up. He had considered surgery nearly a decade earlier, but thought he was too young. Now, faced with his own mortality, he knew it was time.

Finding Support

Andrew turned to Oxford Surgical and Bariatric Clinic’s OSBC University, where he discovered more than a medical program. He found a family. From the receptionists to the nurses, the nurse practitioner to the surgeons, every staff member became his cheerleader.

“I don’t think I could have done it without them,” Andrew said. “Their unwavering encouragement carried me through when I felt like I had nothing left. For anyone who feels hopeless, I want you to know you don’t have to do this alone. There are people who will walk right beside you.”

That’s exactly why Dr. Walker Byars, Dr. Robert McAuley and Carah Walker, Nurse Practitioner and Bariatric Coordinator, created OSBC University. With each of these three providers in practice for over 20+ years, they understand that the real transformation is about more than a procedure.

“OSBC University was built to give patients education, compassion, and lifelong support,” Walker said. “Surgery is one step, but it’s the preparation, the accountability, and the follow-up that make success last.”

Surgery as a Tool

Andrew prepared for surgery knowing it wouldn’t be a quick fix. “Surgery is just one tool,” he said. “You can’t expect to lose the weight without also preparing for the months when food can no longer be your coping mechanism.”

Dr. Walker Byars, the leading surgeon for laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedures in Mississippi and one of the top in the nation, said that mindset is what sets OSBC apart.

“Preparing patients for the emotional and lifestyle changes that come with bariatric surgery is something we take very seriously,” Byars explained. “It starts well before the day of surgery, and OSBC University guides patients every step of the way.”

A Friend Who Never Gave Up

Support also came from outside the clinic. One of Andrew’s closest friends, a fellow pastor, encouraged him daily to make this change. At first, Andrew was hurt by the persistence, but eventually he realized it came from a place of love.

“Every person needs a Chihuahua friend like mine,” Andrew laughed. “Someone who never stops yapping at you, reminding you of the good you can do and the strength you already have. At first it stings, but then you realize they’re speaking the truth. There’s no other love like honesty.”

From Dream to Finish Line

Before surgery, Andrew had a vivid dream that he was running a race. He could feel the wind on his face and pure elation as he pushed toward the finish line. When he woke, reality set in. At nearly 500 pounds, running wasn’t just difficult; it was impossible. His mother told him later that she believed God was speaking to him in that dream, calling him to listen. Andrew took it to heart.

Since his surgery, Andrew has lost more than 200 pounds. His sitting heart rate has dropped from 100 to 110 beats per minute to a healthy 52 to 60. He can sit comfortably at Ole Miss baseball games with his son, free from shame. He even recently went tubing with him at the lake. One of the most powerful moments of his journey came when Andrew ran the Double Decker 5K, jogging the entire race and crossing the finish line. A photo of him completing the event says what words cannot. The man who once only ran in dreams now runs in reality.

A Legacy for His Son

Beyond his own health, Andrew sees the ripple effect on his son’s life. Research shows that when both parents are obese, a child has about an 80 percent chance of becoming obese. When only one parent is obese, the risk drops to about 52 percent. If neither parent is obese, the chance is less than 10 percent.

“I know I’m setting an example,” Andrew said. “I don’t want my son to carry that kind of weight around. I want him to feel free to make his own choices, but I also want to show him how to live a healthy life where food can be enjoyed without holding you back.”

That’s why ongoing support is so critical, said Dr. Robert McAuley, board-certified surgeon at OSBC.

“Success doesn’t come from surgery alone,” McAuley said. “It comes from education, motivation, and support. That’s why we follow patients for life, so they always know they’re not alone on the journey.”

The Takeaway

From a heartbreaking dream to a triumphant finish line, Andrew’s journey is proof that change is possible. His courage, supported by his family, his Chihuahua friend, the OSBC University staff, and the surgeons who believe in lifelong support, reminds us that every step forward matters.

At OSBC University, the journey is about more than weight loss. It’s about gaining back life.