At the Center for Bariatrics at Southern Ocean Medical Center, our expert physicians work together with you and our dedicated staff of nurses, registered dieticians, and administrators to assure the best possible results for your weight loss surgery. The Center has been designated an ACS-MBSA QIP Comprehensive Center by the American College of Surgeons, the highest accreditation level available to weight loss surgery facilities.

Our approach to our patients is highly personal.  We create individual care plans based on your unique situation. In order to help our patients succeed, we offer access to a panel of dedicated specialists, including cardiologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, dietitians, exercise and behavioral health experts, all working together to develop a personalized care plan for you. This care plan includes extensive education and evaluation before surgery, and the lifetime follow-up care and support crucial to keeping the weight off and staying healthy.

Bariatric Procedures

Sleeve Gastrectomy

This procedure is also known as the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. It is done by removing about 60 – 80 percent of the stomach. The procedure works two ways. First, the amount of food (and calories) that can be consumed is reduced because the stomach is so much smaller. Second, the surgery has an effect on the hormones that control factors including hunger, feeling full, and blood sugar. Some studies show that this procedure is as effective as the gastric bypass in terms of weight loss and improvement in Type 2 diabetes.

Lap Band Surgery

In this procedure, a band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This creates a small stomach pouch above the band and the rest of the stomach below the band. With a smaller stomach pouch, a smaller amount of food will give you a feeling of fullness. The full feeling depends on the size of the opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. The size of the opening is gradually reduced over time with additional adjustments. After this procedure, food is digested and absorbed normally.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass reshapes the stomach into a much smaller pouch, so it can hold less food. Then, it adjusts your digestive tract so the food you eat bypasses a portion of the small intestine (where calories and nutrients are normally absorbed). You will feel fuller after eating smaller meals, and your body will absorb fewer calories and nutrients. The result is rapid, steady weight loss.

Gastric bypass can improve or resolve obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Many of our patients enjoy improved health and freedom from pills and medications.

Meet our physicians

Jonathan M. Reich, M.D.

Karl W. Strom, M.D.

Silvia Fresco, M.D.

Richard Y. Greco, D.O.

James P. Nangeroni, D.O.