Dr. Elias Darido
MD, FACS
Weight Loss Surgery Specialist — Houston, TX
“Effective, safe, and durable weight loss treatment solutions” — the vision behind every patient encounter at Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center.
About
Meet Dr. Elias Darido
“Effective, safe, and durable weight loss treatment solutions” is the vision of Dr. Elias Darido, founder of Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center. In today’s healthcare environment, there is much more to offer patients struggling with obesity than temporary weight loss. Many physicians have adopted a treatment model based on medical management and lifestyle modification alone. Unfortunately, these approaches don’t address the underlying metabolic and physiological factors driving obesity but rather manage the symptoms. Symptom management alone is, however, not enough when treating a chronic and progressive condition like obesity. At Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center, Dr. Darido aspires to provide comprehensive care for weight loss surgery patients throughout Southeast Texas, including Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, and Galveston.
Dr. Darido earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the American University of Beirut (1993–1996), followed by his Doctor of Medicine from the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (1997–2001). His medical education provided a strong foundation in clinical science and surgical principles.
Following medical school, Dr. Darido completed an internship in general surgery at Metropolitan Group Hospitals, University of Illinois, Chicago (2002–2003). He then completed a comprehensive general surgery residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio (2003–2007), gaining broad experience in surgical decision-making, laparoscopic techniques, and acute care surgery.
To develop specialized expertise in weight loss surgery, Dr. Darido completed a fellowship in Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at the Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2010–2012). This advanced subspecialty training prepared him to offer his patients the most current, evidence-based bariatric surgical approaches and techniques.
Credentials
Education & Training
Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio — 2003–2007
Clinical Expertise
Areas of Specialization
Over 20 Years of Bariatric Surgery Practice
Dr. Darido’s clinical career spans more than two decades, beginning with his general surgery and trauma practice at Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier, North Dakota (2007–2010). He then served as Attending Surgeon and Bariatric Program Director at AnMed Health in Anderson, South Carolina (2012–2013), where he developed and directed a comprehensive bariatric surgery program. Since founding Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center in 2014, he has focused exclusively on bariatric and metabolic surgery, performing over 1,000 gastric sleeve procedures.
1,000+ procedures performed
Academic Leadership
Innovation & Clinical Leadership
- Darido E, Moore JR. “Comparison of Gastric Fundus Invagination and Gastric Plication for Weight Loss in a Rat Model of Diet-Induced Obesity.” Obesity Surgery. 2014 Jun;24(6):897-902.
- Darido E, Farrell TM. “Laparoscopic Longitudinal Gastrectomy and Duodenojejunostomy for the Treatment of Diabetic Gastroparesis.” Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2012 Nov-Dec;8(6):811-3.
- Darido E, Overby DW, Brownley KA, Farrell TM. “Evaluation of Gastric Fundus Invagination as a Weight Loss Procedure in a Porcine Model.” Obesity Surgery. 2012 Aug;22(8):1293-7.
- Darido E, Farrell TM. “Invited Commentary on Fast-track Concepts in Major Open Upper Abdominal and Thoracoabdominal Surgery—A Review.” World Journal of Surgery. 2011 Dec;35(12):2594-5.
- Darido E, Smith JM, Engel AM. “Predictors of Type II Neurologic Complications After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.” International Surgery. 2008 May-Jun;93(3):133-8.
- “Evaluation of Gastric Fundus Invagination as a Weight Loss Procedure in a Rat Model of Diet-Induced Obesity” — Carolina Bariatric Society, Asheville, NC (2013)
- “Why Is It So Difficult to Lose Weight?” — Anderson Medical Society, Anderson, SC (2013)
- “Complications in Bariatric Surgery” — AnMed Health Grand Round, Anderson, SC (2012)
- “Sleeve Gastrectomy: A 2-in-1 Solution for Diabetic Gastroparesis” — University of North Carolina Med-Surg Conference, Chapel Hill (2012)
- “The Holy Grail of Bariatric Surgery: Restriction, Resection, Plication, or Invagination” — University of North Carolina Grand Round, Chapel Hill (2011)
- “Reinventing the Bariatric Wheel: My Gut Feelings About Gut Hormones” — University of North Carolina Med-Surg Conference, Chapel Hill (2011)
- American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS)
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- American Gastroenterology Association (AGA)
- Texas Medical Association (TMA)
- SAGES Guideline Committee (2010–present) — Clinical guidelines development
- Peer Reviewer, World Journal of Surgery (2010–present)
- Peer Reviewer, Obesity Surgery (2012–present)
- Peer Reviewer, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (2012–present)
Affiliations
Professional Memberships
Approach
Patient Care Philosophy
“Effective, safe, and durable weight loss treatment solutions” is the vision of Dr. Elias Darido.
— Dr. Elias Darido, MD, FACS
Takes time to listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and goals, developing a treatment plan aligned with their individual needs.
Emphasizes transparent communication about treatment options, realistic outcome expectations, and potential risks and benefits.
Commitment extends beyond the operating room with long-term post-operative support, nutritional guidance, and regular follow-up care.
Performs thorough clinical assessment before recommending surgery, ensuring every patient is a well-informed, appropriate candidate.
Dr. Darido maintains active engagement with the bariatric surgery community through attendance at major conferences and workshops, including the ASMBS Annual Conference, the SAGES Conference, and specialized bariatric surgery symposia and courses. His commitment to continuing education reflects his dedication to staying current with the latest advances in bariatric surgery and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Ready to Achieve Lasting Weight Loss?
If you’ve been struggling with obesity, whether you’ve tried diet and exercise, weight loss medications, or previous weight loss surgery, Dr. Darido and the team at Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center are here to help. We serve patients throughout Southeast Texas, including Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, and Galveston. We believe you deserve a surgical solution tailored to your unique needs and goals.