Success Stories
Take a look at some of our patients' stories, and how they have made the commitment to living a healthier life.
February 2026
Deborah Jobe
Pounds lost: 92
Choosing Health After Loss: One Woman’s Decision to Finally Prioritize Herself
After losing 92 pounds following her December 2024 weight loss surgery at UK King’s Daughters, 71-year-old Deborah Jobe has just one regret – not focusing on her health sooner. Today, the Huntington, W.Va., resident says she feels better than ever.
“I talked myself out of it two times before, but something just clicked this time,” Jobe said. “I’m not sure why I waited so long. I feel fantastic. I definitely don’t feel my age.”
Jobe had tried everything including a popular weight loss program advertised on television. The weight would come off, but she would hit a plateau and start gaining it back.
“I could do it, but I couldn’t do it,” Jobe noted. “Then, I admit, I let myself go.”
Jobe, 71, was so busy caring for her husband after a debilitating stroke, that she took little time for herself. Her husband’s passing was a wakeup call that she needed to get serious about losing weight.
Jobe met with her primary care provider, Ryan Faulkner, APRN, at King’s Daughters Family Care Center in Catlettsburg to develop a plan including re-starting GLP-1 injections. Unfortunately, the injections had side effects and didn’t produce the weight loss she wanted.
“I was determined to have the surgery this time,” Jobe said. “I’m so glad I finally did it.”
She was referred to UK King’s Daughters general surgeon Rod Tompkins, M.D., and began preparations for gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) surgery. She met with the team at the UK King’s Daughters Center for Healthy Living. They taught her how to make better food choices and change her eating habits. Jobe lost 11 pounds in the process.
“They made sure that I had the right mindset to make this life-long transition,” Jobe added. The preparation included meetings with a dietitian and behavioral health specialist. “They were so knowledgeable and encouraging.”
Jobe adhered to her post-surgery nutrition plan and for the next year, she steadily lost weight, never plateauing, until she met her goal weight.
Not only has she lost weight, but her overall health has improved. Her sleep apnea vanished, her COPD symptoms became manageable, her chronic back pain finally eased and her indigestion was gone. Most significantly, she was able to reduce her blood pressure medication by half.
“It made me a healthier me,” Jobe said. “Before, I couldn’t walk up my driveway to the car without gasping for air. Now, I can go blocks. I can even run with my three grandchildren.”
Jobe credits the surgery, but most importantly her care team, with giving her a new lease on life.
“I always get great care at King’s Daughters,” she said. “I know I can count on them.”
February 2026
Joe Barnett
Pounds lost: 114
From the Ground Up: How a Day in the Park Led to a Major Life Change
A simple spring photo shoot in Ashland’s Central Park turned into an eye-opening experience for Joe Barnett of Russell, Ky. One that he’s unlikely to repeat since losing 114 pounds after weight loss surgery at UK King’s Daughters in April 2024.
“My daughter was running through the daffodils, and I couldn’t keep up,” Barnett said. “Then, I got down on the ground to take her photo, and I was stuck. She was only 3 at the time, so I had to call my dad to come to the park and help me up.”
Barnett, who has worked in the criminal justice field for more than 20 years, was both embarrassed and frustrated that his weight was keeping him from doing simple things. He realized that if something happened, he might not have the physical ability to help his daughter – a scary thought. As a result, he was prepared to try the latest fad diet, but a friend quickly changed his mind.
“She said, ‘How’s that worked in the past for you?’” Barnett noted. “She made me realize that it wasn’t 10 or 20 pounds. I couldn’t do it on my own.”
Barnett’s friend had sought help not long before. She was going to the UK King’s Daughters Center for Healthy Living in preparation for weight loss surgery and encouraged Barnett to do the same. He made an appointment with weight loss surgeon Timothy Wheeler, M.D., and the pair discussed Barnett’s options. For Barnett, there was no turning back.
“He answered all of my questions thoroughly and honestly,” Barnett said. “Dr. Wheeler was very supportive and reassuring.”
Barnett jumped into the surgical weight loss program with total commitment. From day one, he carefully followed his care team’s instructions with remarkable success.
“If I had known the support and level of education, I would’ve done it sooner,” he said. “By the time we reached the surgery date, it was like a well-rehearsed play. And it went off perfectly.”
Now Barnett, 47, is ready for his next act – one that includes a new script for healthy living, and, of course, a new wardrobe.
“I’ve lost so much weight that my daughter (now age 6) doesn’t recognize photos of me from before,” Barnett added. “I’ve also had people say, ‘You look familiar, but I can’t place you.’ They do a double take.”
Not only is Barnett’s appearance different, but he feels differently. He has renewed energy and finally can keep up with his daughter. The pair have been taking trips together including visiting zoos and amusement parks, requiring a lot of walking. Now, he can buckle the safety belt in an airplane or on a roller coaster without worry. And best of all, he doesn’t need extra luggage to hold his medications – because he no longer needs them.
“I feel like a new person. Even though I was that size most of my adult life, it’s hard to remember what life was like before,” he said. “Occasionally, I’ll come across an old piece of clothing, and it really knocks me back.”
Barnett is appreciative of the compliments he’s received, but more importantly, pleased that he’s been able to bond with others regarding weight loss.
“Now, I tell everyone about it. There’s no shame,” he said. “If I can admit I had a problem and ask for help, everyone can.”
June 2023
Terry Lewis
Pounds lost: 150
Terry Lewis says he tried to lose weight several years ago, and was partially successful but his head wasn’t in it and he regained weight. In December 2021, he wanted to try again. This time, he had the support of the Center for Healthy Living team at UK King’s Daughters.
Before surgery, patients have a crucial pre-surgery regimen designed to help them prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for surgery... and afterward. This has been an essential part of the King’s Daughters program, which has helped patients for more than 20 years. “The support I had was incredibly helpful,” Terry said. “I felt more ready.”
Before undergoing the sleeve gastrectomy procedure with bariatric surgeon Rod Tompkins, M.D., Terry said his “blood pressure was high and not coming down. I had gained more weight and was having mobility issues.” A few weeks after surgery, Terry began losing weight. “I hadn’t noticed how unhealthy I was until I noticed how much better I felt when I lost weight. I didn’t realize how much I had not been participating in life until I started doing it again.”
Terry is still on his weight loss journey. He has lost more than 150 lbs. to date, and is still on his way to his goal to be in the 220 lb. range. The Carter County, Kentucky, native says he now “exercises daily, including weight lifting and walking—sometimes both. I do a lot of hiking.”
Lewis also emphasized what he learned from the Center for Healthy Living team before surgery: the procedure is just one part of what makes the program work. “I had to get the exercise and change my eating habits and what I ate for everything to work. The internet has been a great tool to find wonderful recipes that meet my nutritional needs while still keeping really good flavors and tastes in my diet.” He also credits continuing regular check-ins from the Center for Healthy Living as a key part of his success.
He also devotes more time to family activities, including activities with his great-nieces and nephews. “When you are overweight you have to plan ahead. Going to the movies or live theater can be difficult. Things are a lot better now.”
May 2023
Christy Castro
Pounds lost: 122
Type: Surgical Weight Loss
“I wanted to be healthier and be able to play with my grandchildren.” Christy Castro says she is closing in on her weight loss goal a little more than a year after her sleeve gastrectomy in March 2022 with bariatric surgeon Timothy Wheeler, M.D. The Ironton, Ohio, native says, in addition to being an active grandmother, she wanted to help control her diabetes and feel better. “Before starting the program at King’s Daughters, my legs and back were bad. Now, they are better, and I’m walking a lot.”
The Surgical Weight Loss program begins with an assessment of a patient’s health, then introduces healthy habits in the lead-up to surgery. Christy says at the beginning, “it was a little rough. I wasn’t used to doing the things they asked. I knew to get where wanted to be I had to, though. I got used to it and still am.”
From a high of 339 pounds, Christy is down to 229 pounds in May 2023, with a goal weight of 180 to 200 pounds. “I’m drinking a lot more water, and exercising. I don’t sit around like I used to. I go to the gym regularly to walk on the treadmill and use the bikes. I also do arm exercises.”
Christy credits her success to what started her on her weight loss journey in the first place: mindset. “There are a lot of changes, but they are good ones. I used to eat potatoes with ever meal. Now, I enjoy healthy meats, not fried ones. And lots of fish.”
April 2023
Melinda Feltner
Pounds lost: 113
Melinda Feltner, from Louisa, Ky., knew she needed to make a change. With her weight at a high of 288 pounds, she “was still very nervous about the weight loss process. I knew all the steps to take, but I was still so miserable. I had to take a chance for myself, and for my health.
“My husband was a great support for getting healthy. We both knew I had to cut the chances of health problems I was getting ready to face.”
Some problems were already there. Like walking the stairs to her classroom at Lawrence County High School, where Feltner is a teacher and basketball coach. “I wanted to do the simple things that you can take for granted, like walking our dog, and coaching my girls without feeling miserable.”
Melinda’s determination led her to the Center for Healthy Living, with its team of nurses, counselors and dietitians, and bariatric surgeon Rod Tompkins, M.D. “Dr. Tompkins was wonderful. When I first met him in March 2022, I doubted what he told me. He said I would do fine as long as I followed the program before and after surgery, and listened to the dietitians.”
Melinda’s surgery date was April 20, 2022. A year later, her hard work and determination, together with support from her family and the Center for Healthy Living team, proved Dr. Tompkins was right.
“Today, I’m happy to say I’m 175 pounds. I’d like to get to 165 – it’s a goal for me. I’m excited to see Dr. Tompkins for my one-year follow-up.”