Weight Loss Surgery

You want to feel better. Look better. Have more energy. Keep up with your kids. You feel like you’ve tried every diet, but can’t seem to lose the extra pounds. And now your health is at risk, too. It’s time to do something different. It’s time to schedule an appointment with the NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center. Our weight management specialists will carefully assess your health and preferences and match you with the weight loss procedure that is best for you. Weight loss surgery can improve your quality of life, and even save it. Our team is dedicated to helping you accomplish your health and weight loss goals, so you can enjoy the kind of life you want.

A Center Of Excellence In Weight Loss Surgery

The American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program has designated NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital as a “Comprehensive Center with Adolescent.” This designation is awarded to centers that engage in ongoing quality improvement initiatives, closely track their results, and provide complete specialized care for all patients—including those with the most challenging and complex conditions—to ensure the best outcomes.

A Collaborative Team To Help You Lose Weight

Your team includes surgeons, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists (hormone specialists), registered dietitians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and others with the compassion and experience to provide the care you need and support your weight loss goals. If you need to see another medical or surgical specialist, NewYork-Presbyterian has those doctors on staff, too. For example, many people who are obese have sleep difficulties. We can refer you to the NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Center for Sleep Disorders for a full assessment, such as a sleep study. You can receive all the care you need through one medical center.

Our Numbers Speak For Themselves

Our surgeons have performed weight loss surgery in more than 2,400 patients, with good outcomes and all patients surviving. 

• They have published more than 40 publications on weight loss surgery, including best practices, possible complications, and the treatment of patients with other health problems (comorbidities)
• 90 percent of patients go home from the hospital the day after surgery
• 99 percent of our patients are satisfied with their decision to have weight loss surgery

Can I Have Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery results in progressive, long-term weight loss in most morbidly obese patients. It is a medically indicated procedure supported by numerous medical organizations for select individuals. It can also help patients achieve improvements in diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol/triglyceride levels. You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
• Have a BMI of 35-39 as well as other health problems, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension
• Have repeatedly attempted to lose weight through dieting, but have not been successful
• Are highly motivated to lose weight
• Are willing to change your current eating habits
• Are between the ages of 18 and 68

Minimally Invasive Weight Loss Surgery

We offer the complete range of surgical weight loss procedures, performing them using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques through small incisions that result in less discomfort after surgery and a speedier recovery. You may be eligible to undergo one or a combination of these operations:

• Sleeve gastrectomy
• Gastric bypass surgery (“Roux-en-Y”)
• Laparoscopic gastric banding (“lap band”)
• Revisional surgery (when a first surgery did not produce the desired results)

Dedicated Care For Adolescents

Weight loss surgery is now available for severely obese adolescents (BMI over 40) ages 15-18 who have completed puberty, have been unable to lose weight through other means, and have other serious health problems. Adolescent weight loss surgery is not widely available across the country, but your child can receive it right here in your community, in Brooklyn.

All The Support You Need

Weight loss surgery is a major procedure and a life-changing decision. Your experience with us begins with an initial visit, where we assess your health, preferences, and needs and discuss your options. 

• You’ll attend a support group, which meets every other week, where you can receive educational information and hear from other patients who have had or are considering weight loss surgery—so you know what to expect. Your family members and friends are also welcome to attend. You can find out when the next support group is by calling 718-780-3288.
• Some patients follow a medically supervised six-month diet to optimize their health before the operation. 
• You will see your doctor periodically before your procedure, with some visits able to be done by video chat using TeleHealth.
• After your weight loss surgery, you will receive follow-up care for life, initially coming to see us each month, every few months, and eventually just once a year to see how you are doing. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.