The choice to have bariatric surgery is about much more than counting pounds on a scale. In addition to finally keeping weight off, it’s about embracing an entire lifestyle that can include lowering your risk for health problems, eating well, socializing more, and being able to enjoy activities from riding a bike to playing on the floor with your children. At Mount Sinai Morningside Bariatric Surgery Program, our specialized team understands the daily challenges obesity can cause, and we are skilled in the surgical techniques that will achieve the best possible outcome for each of our patients.

Bariatric Surgery Treatments We Provide

Our entire approach to treatment is built around you and your family. Starting with your very first visit, our team—which includes surgeons, bariatric nurse practitioners, bariatric nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and support group leaders—takes the time to listen to your goals, explain your treatment options, and design a customized care plan for your individual needs.

With five bariatric surgeons, Mount Sinai Morningside performs one of the highest volumes of weight loss surgeries in New York City, giving our specialists extensive experience handling routine to complex cases with excellent outcomes and low complication rates. 

We are skilled in providing a number of laparoscopic procedures (performed using small incisions), including the following:

• Gastric bypass surgery: In this procedure, a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach, which will be the only portion of the stomach that can receive food, thus limiting the amount that can be eaten. The small intestine is cut and attached to the pouch so that it can directly receive nutrients.

• Sleeve gastrectomy: This technique involves removing part of the stomach and forming the remaining stomach into a narrow, elongated pouch. This also shrinks the usable part of the stomach and the amount that can be eaten.

• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: This procedure involves removing part of the stomach and forming the remaining stomach into an elongated pouch (as with the sleeve gastrectomy), with the additional step of bypassing a portion of the small intestine.

• Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: With a “lap band” procedure, an inflatable band is fitted around the upper portion of the stomach. A port is also placed in the abdomen and connected to the band so that fluid can be injected and removed, which adjusts the size of the band, therefore decreasing or increasing the part of the stomach that can receive food.

Patient Education and Support

Our program is committed to making sure each patient feels fully informed and warmly supported both before and after surgery. Our preop class meets weekly to provide patients with instructions and other valuable information needed to be ready for surgery. We also have preop support groups that give our patients a forum for discussing issues and receiving encouragement.

Once surgery is completed, we offer multiple postop support group meetings each month, conducted in both English and Spanish, as well as weekly sessions with a wellness coach who leads a fitness class.

In addition, each month we provide patients with Food and Fitness groups, which are free, medically supervised classes covering topics such as healthy weight loss, realistic goal setting, self-motivation, and individualized exercise routines. 

Why Choose Mount Sinai Morningside

At Mount Sinai Morningside, we understand that surgery is only part of an overall plan to choose a new and healthier lifestyle. Our patients enjoy a range of benefits from weight loss surgery, including a reduced need for medications and a lower risk for health problems associated with being overweight, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

From your first appointment in our office through your postsurgical follow-up care, Mount Sinai Morningside is committed to providing you with the highest quality surgery services—as well as the warm and supportive environment you deserve—to help you achieve your healthy lifestyle goals.