When Tyra turned 40, she began having health concerns about being prescribed medicine to help control her elevated high blood pressure and obstructive sleep apnea.

"No matter what efforts I made to workout or lose weight, my doctor continued to increase the dosage of my medicine," she said.

Bariatric surgeon Emil Matei, DO, performed a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery at the Memorial Weight-Loss Surgery Program.

"I lost over 120 pounds. I just feel happy that I took a step and it's yielding results. I'm ecstatic!"

After weight loss surgery, family support is essential to a person's success. Tyra's husband lovingly prepares healthy meals, and shares her passion for lifestyle changes to help their family live a healthier life.