Manhattan, NY: Weight Loss Practice

Most patients qualify if their body mass index (BMI) is ≥40, or ≥35 with weight-related medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis/NAFLD/NASH). We’ll do a full evaluation to confirm eligibility.

Many insurance plans cover bariatric procedures if medical criteria are met. Our office will verify your benefits, explain your coverage, and guide you through the approval process.

We perform several advanced procedures, including:

– Gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy)
Removes about 80% of the stomach; best for steady, reliable weight loss with fewer long-term complications. Most gastric sleeve surgeries can be performed as outpatient procedures, meaning you can often go home the same day without the need for an overnight hospital stay.

– Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)
Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the intestine; best for patients with reflux or type 2 diabetes.

– SADI-S (single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy)
Combines sleeve with a simplified bypass; best for greater weight loss and diabetes remission with fewer connections than traditional bypass.

– Duodenal switch
Sleeve plus extensive intestinal bypass; best for patients needing the most weight loss and strongest diabetes control, but requires strict vitamin follow-up.

Each option has different benefits, risks, and recovery times. During your consultation, we’ll review which is best for your health and long-term goals.

Yes. In addition to bariatric procedures, our surgeons are highly trained in general surgery. We commonly perform gallbladder removal, abdominal wall hernia repairs, and hiatal hernia surgery. This allows us to provide comprehensive care for patients who may have multiple surgical needs.

On average:

• Gastric sleeve: 60-70% of excess weight within 1-2 years
• Gastric bypass: 65-80% of excess weight within 1-2 years
• SADI-S/Duodenal switch: 70-85% of excess weight within 1-2 years

Individual results vary based on lifestyle, medical history, and adherence to follow-up care.

Most patients are able to return to normal activities in about one week. You’ll follow a staged diet, starting with liquids and progressing to solid foods under our nutrition team’s guidance.

As with any major surgery, there are risks including bleeding, infection, or leaks at surgical connections. Long-term, patients may develop vitamin deficiencies if supplements aren’t taken. We closely monitor and support you to minimize risks.

Yes. You’ll follow a structured eating plan:

• First weeks: liquids, then pureed foods
• Later: small, protein-focused meals for life

We provide ongoing nutrition counseling to help you succeed.

Many patients return to desk work in about 1 week. For exercise and heavy lifting, most patients wait 2–3 weeks, depending on healing and your doctor’s recommendations.

Bariatric surgery often leads to significant improvement, and sometimes remission, of conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and fatty liver disease. Outcomes vary, but many patients reduce or eliminate medications after surgery.

Our program includes nutritionists, support groups, behavioral health specialists, and ongoing medical follow-up. Long-term support is key to maintaining your health and weight loss success.

Some insurance plans may cover skin removal (body contouring) surgery after significant weight loss, but coverage varies depending on the plan and medical necessity criteria. The good news is that our practice has a board-certified plastic surgeon who accepts insurance and works closely with our team. At around one year after your bariatric surgery, you can schedule a consultation to discuss your options for skin removal and body contouring.

If you have a BMI of 27+ with co-morbidities or 30+ without comorbidities, you may be a candidate for weight loss medications.

Coverage depends on your individual plan, your specific health conditions, and whether the medication is for an FDA-approved indication like diabetes or cardiovascular disease, not just weight management. To determine coverage, you must contact your insurance provider directly and, in most cases, your doctor will need to submit a prior authorization request.

Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Ozempic
Saxenda
Mounjaro
Qsymia
Orlistat
Contrave
Zepbound

Weight loss medications can have various risks, which vary depending on the specific medication and individual patient. Your care team can help you assess your personal risk level.

On average, newer and more powerful weight-loss medications like Zepbound and Wegovy can help people lose 15% to 20%+ of their body weight, when combined with diet and exercise. Older, oral medications typically offer more modest results, with an average of 5% to 10% weight loss. Individual results vary significantly depending on the specific medication, dosage, and lifestyle changes.