Ellen Stehouwer, DO

Weight Loss Clinic in Aiea, Hawaii

Call (808) 485-417398-1079 Moanalua Rd, Ste 490, Aiea, HI 96701

5 (1 reviews)

About Ellen Stehouwer, DO

Dr. Ellen Stehouwer is an osteopathic physician based in Aiea, Hawaii, offering medically supervised weight loss care with a perfect 5.0 patient rating. That kind of rating is rare, and it reflects what patients consistently experience in her practice: attentive, personalized, and results-focused care. She serves patients from Pearl City, Aiea, and broader Central Oahu who want medical expertise combined with genuine support.

Her approach as a DO means she considers the whole body rather than isolated symptoms, which is especially relevant for weight management where hormones, stress, sleep, and metabolic health all interact. She takes time to understand each patient's history and what's actually getting in the way of their success. For patients who've felt dismissed by other providers, her thorough and compassionate style tends to feel different from the very first visit.

Services Offered

Dr. Stehouwer offers medically supervised weight loss services that start with a comprehensive evaluation of your health history, lab work, and current lifestyle. She identifies medical contributors to weight gain, including hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, and metabolic dysfunction, and builds a treatment plan that addresses those root causes rather than just recommending diet and exercise. Her services include prescription weight loss medications where appropriate. She prescribes GLP-1 receptor agonists including semaglutide and tirzepatide, managing dosing and monitoring over time to optimize results and minimize side effects. She also provides guidance on nutrition and sustainable eating habits as part of the overall program. Follow-up appointments track your weight, lab values, and overall health as you progress. Dr. Stehouwer adjusts the plan based on how you respond. If something isn't working, she changes it. Patients also receive education throughout the process so they understand the reasoning behind each part of the plan, which helps with long-term adherence and confidence.

Weight Loss Centers

Treatment Options

Initial Metabolic and Weight Assessment

Comprehensive health history review, lab work, and metabolic evaluation to identify the root causes of weight gain before building a personalized treatment plan.

1-2 initial appointmentsContact office for pricing

GLP-1 Injectable Therapy

Medically supervised prescription of semaglutide or tirzepatide with regular follow-ups for dose adjustment and side effect monitoring throughout treatment.

Ongoing, 6-12+ monthsVaries by insurance; contact office

Hormonal and Thyroid Treatment

Diagnosis and medical treatment of thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance, or other hormonal factors that are actively blocking weight loss progress.

3-6 months minimumContact office for pricing

Ongoing Weight Management Follow-Up

Regularly scheduled follow-up care to track weight, lab values, and health markers with proactive plan adjustments to support sustained long-term results.

Monthly or quarterly visitsContact office for pricing

What to Expect

Dr. Stehouwer's process starts with a detailed initial consultation. She reviews your full health history, goes over any existing lab work, and typically orders a comprehensive metabolic panel if recent labs aren't available. The goal is to understand your baseline before recommending any specific treatment.

Once she has that foundation, she outlines her recommended approach and explains why each element makes sense for your specific situation. If medication is appropriate, she starts conservatively and increases the dose based on how your body responds. You'll have follow-up visits every few weeks in the early months to monitor progress and make adjustments.

She pays attention to side effects and how you're feeling, not just the scale. Weight, body composition, energy levels, and lab values all factor into her assessment. Patients who've been through other programs often notice that her follow-ups are more thorough than what they've experienced elsewhere. She adjusts proactively rather than waiting for problems to escalate.

Why Choose Ellen Stehouwer, DO

A 5.0 patient rating is meaningful. It's the clearest signal that patients who've worked with Dr. Stehouwer feel the experience was worth it. High ratings in medical practices usually reflect both clinical competence and the quality of the patient relationship, and both seem to be strengths here.

Her location in Aiea makes her accessible to a part of Oahu that's often underserved by specialists. Patients in Central Oahu don't always have the same access to medical weight loss care as those closer to Honolulu, and Dr. Stehouwer fills that gap without requiring a long commute.

The osteopathic approach she brings to weight management means you're working with someone trained to treat the whole person. If your weight is connected to a thyroid issue, stress, sleep disruption, or insulin resistance, she has the training to identify and address those connections. That's different from seeing a provider who writes a prescription without understanding the underlying picture.

Insurance & Pricing

Dr. Stehouwer accepts a range of insurance plans. Coverage for medically supervised weight loss varies by plan and depends on factors like your BMI, documented health conditions, and whether your insurer recognizes obesity as a covered condition. Call the office before your first visit to verify your coverage and clarify any out-of-pocket costs.

Weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide may require prior authorization from your insurer. This process can take time and coverage isn't guaranteed, but the office can assist with authorization requests. Patients paying out of pocket should ask about appointment pricing and whether any package options are available.

First-Time Patient Tips

If you're considering Dr. Stehouwer's practice, it's worth reaching out sooner rather than later. Highly rated practices in smaller communities tend to have fuller schedules, so there may be a wait for new patients. Book your initial appointment as early as you can.

Prepare for your first visit by gathering your most recent lab results, a list of your current medications and supplements, and notes on your weight history. Be specific if you can. How long have you been at your current weight, what's changed over the years, and what have you tried before? That context helps her move faster toward a diagnosis and a plan.

Don't underestimate the value of being straightforward about your habits and challenges. She's not there to judge. She's there to figure out what's actually happening and help you address it. The more honest you are, the faster you'll get to a plan that works. Her patients rate her highly in part because she takes the time to explain things clearly, so ask questions freely.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

A perfect 5.0 patient rating across reviews indicates consistently excellent care and a high level of patient satisfaction.
Located in Aiea, making quality medical weight loss care accessible to Central Oahu residents without a long commute into Honolulu.
Osteopathic training means she looks for and treats systemic causes of weight gain rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.

Things to Consider

A highly rated smaller practice may have limited new patient availability, so scheduling an initial appointment could require advance planning.
As a solo physician practice, access to ancillary services like in-house nutrition counseling may be more limited than at a larger multi-specialty clinic.

Service Area

Dr. Stehouwer's practice is located in Aiea, conveniently positioned for patients from across Central Oahu. She regularly sees patients from Pearl City, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Mililani, and Honolulu. The Aiea location is easily accessible from H-1 and H-2, making it a practical choice for patients commuting from across the island. Telehealth follow-ups may be available, which extends her accessibility for patients who can't always make the drive. Contact the office to confirm scheduling and telehealth availability.

Local Insight

Aiea sits right in the middle of Central Oahu, a part of the island where residents deal with some of the same challenges as elsewhere in Hawaii: high food costs, long commutes, and the particular stress of balancing work and family in one of the most expensive places to live in the country. Access to specialist care in Central Oahu can be limited compared to urban Honolulu. Dr. Stehouwer's practice makes quality medical weight loss care available to people who'd otherwise need to drive into the city for every appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 5.0 patient rating mean for this practice?

It means every patient who's reviewed the practice had a positive experience. High ratings in medical weight loss usually reflect both clinical results and how patients feel they're treated throughout the process, not just the number on the scale.

Does Dr. Stehouwer prescribe semaglutide or tirzepatide?

Yes, she prescribes GLP-1 receptor agonists including semaglutide and tirzepatide for appropriate patients. Eligibility is assessed during the initial consultation based on your health history and goals.

Is the practice accepting new patients?

Contact the office to confirm current availability. Highly rated practices often have fuller schedules, so it's worth reaching out early if you're interested in starting care.

What's the difference between a DO and an MD for weight loss?

DOs complete the same medical training as MDs but receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine and a whole-body systems approach. In practice, this often means a broader diagnostic perspective that's useful for identifying the interconnected causes of weight gain.

Does she treat thyroid conditions alongside weight loss?

Yes. She diagnoses and treats thyroid dysfunction and other hormonal conditions that commonly drive weight gain, addressing both the condition and its effect on weight within the same coordinated plan.

How far is the Aiea office from Honolulu?

Aiea is about 10-15 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu via H-1. The drive typically takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic, and the location is accessible from multiple major highways.

Can I do follow-up appointments via telehealth?

Telehealth may be available for follow-up visits. Contact the office to confirm what's currently offered and whether your insurance covers virtual appointments with Dr. Stehouwer.

What if I have another medical condition alongside obesity?

Dr. Stehouwer's osteopathic training makes her well-suited for patients managing multiple conditions. If you have diabetes, hypertension, or other health issues, she can build a coordinated treatment plan that addresses weight and those conditions together.