Comprehensive Options for Effective Obesity Management
at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
Discover Your Bariatric Surgery Options for Sustainable Weight Management
Many people struggle with their weight, but in some cases, lifestyle changes aren't enough to counter adverse health effects of obesity. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway we offer a comprehensive array of weight loss treatments, from: nonsurgical weight loss options to prescription medications to bariatric surgery. These options help people lose the weight they need to stabilize their health and transform their lives.
Our patients have the benefit of being seen in the hospital by gastroenterology specialists and bariatric surgeons have access to our hospital laboratory, and can receive diagnostic services, endoscopy and dietary counseling all within the hospital setting. Our team of experts is comprised of a certified bariatric registered nurse (CBN) coordinator, a bilingual administrative assistant, registered dietitians, nurses and physicians, the availability of a physical therapy department, all dedicated to our program and care of our patients. A dedicated support group, physical fitness program, and a hospbmital-based community nutritional program extends the care beyond the hospital setting and assures long term post-care support for our patients. Our RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center physical trainers provide ongoing care and programs specifically designed for patients undergoing weight loss surgery.
Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery — or “bariatric surgery” — involves reducing the size of the patient's stomach. This means that they will feel full sooner, eat less, and with the help of other lifestyle changes, reduce their weight.
There are two types of bariatric surgical procedures: restrictive and malabsorptive. Restrictive surgery reduces the size of the stomach. Malabsorptive procedures reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
For adults who have not had success with nonsurgical weight loss options, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway provides various surgical procedures that are clinically proven to help people lose the weight they need to stabilize their health and transform their lives.
Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art surgical robotic technology for bariatric surgery that offers patients the benefits of a reduced risk of infection, shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery time than with traditional surgery. The introduction of robotic-assisted surgical systems has revolutionized general and bariatric surgery and created an intuitive approach to complex surgery. This technology has enabled our surgeons to perform delicate operations through only a few small incisions with greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access.
If you are interested in weight loss surgery options, our friendly, knowledgeable team is ready to assist you.
Schedule Your Consultation for Bariatric Surgery Success Today
Types of Bariatric Surgery We Offer
Our expert bariatric surgeons specialize in a range of procedures from gastric banding to the innovative Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, ensuring high success rates. Some of the surgical procedures we provide include:
- Gastric banding. Gastric band surgery works by reducing the size of the stomach, making the patient feel full from less food.
- Gastric bypass. A small pouch is made in the stomach which can make the patient feel fuller more quickly. The lower end of the small intestine is attached to this pouch, which allows food to bypass most of the small intestine. This prevents the small intestine from absorbing excessive nutrients.
- Gastric sleeve surgery. A surgeon uses staples to divide the stomach vertically and remove 60 to 80 percent of it. By creating a smaller stomach, the stomach fills more quickly, and the person feels satisfied from eating less food.
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This is a form of gastric bypass surgery in which the small intestine is redirected to bypass the larger portion of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine so that the body absorbs fewer calories and nutrients. The new structure forms the shape of the letter Y.
- Loop duodenal switch. A combination of two bariatric procedures combines the restrictive sleeve gastrectomy with a duodenal switch procedure. This procedure reroutes food so that it bypasses a significant portion of the small bowel, preventing the body from absorbing too many calories and nutrients.
- Revisional surgery. When bariatric surgeries fail to result in adequate weight loss or when there is a complication from an initial bariatric procedure, surgeons may have to do a revisional procedure to improve or correct the outcome.
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy has evolved into our highest volume of surgical weight loss procedures. With the addition of a DaVinci Robot our operating room, we are prepared to offer complex surgical options for patients who may benefit from a robotic gastric bypass, revision or a single duodenal switch (SADI) procedure.
Anish Nihalani, MD, Medical Director of the RWJ Surgical Weight-Loss Program at RWJUH Rahway, and Dianne Errichetti, Bariatric Coordinator, answer some frequently asked questions about bariatric surgery.
Nonsurgical Weight Loss
Nonsurgical weight loss should of course be the beginning of your weight loss journey. Learning about nutrition from a registered dietician and beginning an exercise regimen can be effective for some people. Request an appointment with an RWJBarnabas Health doctor today about your weight loss concerns. We can connect you with experts who can help you along your weight loss journey. Even if you decide to pursue additional weight loss options, managing your diet and building muscle through exercise will still be important components of maintaining a healthy weight — and a healthy lifestyle.
Medical Weight Loss
There are a number of effective medications now available that help people manage their weight. Some, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepetide), work by regulating hormones that control appetite. Other, such as Ozempic (which contains semaglutide), and Mounjaro (which contains tirzepetide), which are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, work by regulating blood sugar levels, promoting a feeling of fullness and aiding in overall weight management.
People who have not had success losing weight through diet and exercise alone and have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40 may benefit from these medical weight loss options, which are available by prescription only. People with a BMI of 27 or more who also suffer from obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, sleep apnea or diabetes may also qualify for these prescription medications aimed at weight loss management.
It is important to note that these medications should be managed under the care of qualified medical professionals, and should be considered part of a holistic approach to health and wellness. Maintaining weight loss long-term will still require a focus on maintaining a healthy diet, portion control, and an exercise regimen. We can help guide you on your weight loss journey.
A Multidisciplinary Team of Experts on Your Side
The weight loss center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss and bariatric surgery, and our physicians and counselors can help you identify and establish the lifestyle changes you need to make your weight loss surgery a success. Our multidisciplinary team includes:
- Bariatric surgeons
- Gastroenterologists
- Bariatric nurse coordinator
- Dietitians
- Exercise physiologists
- Clinical psychologists
At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway we realize that weight loss is a journey, not a destination. We understand that the struggle with obesity is often complex. Obesity can be influenced by family history, physiological, environmental, socioeconomic and psychological factors.
Effective, successful weight loss requires lifelong changes and commitment.
Comprehensive Care
We make a long-term commitment to our patients' health by offering a comprehensive treatment plan. Our comprehensive approach makes our program stand out from other programs. If you decide that weight loss surgery might be right for you, you will be guided through pre-surgery consultations, surgery, recovery and post-surgery support programs.
We will be with you every step of the way.
Our free informational seminars offer those considering bariatric surgery an informative, convenient, and understanding environment in which to learn about surgical options.
Our post-surgical care and support result in an ongoing relationship to promote a long-term successful outcome for each person.
Award-Winning and Accredited Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Care
As part of the award-winning RWJBarnabas Health hospital system, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway’s Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery program has been awarded accreditation by The American College of Surgeons. This accreditation program, known as MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) certifies that our program has met standards of the MBSAQIP by providing high-quality and patient-centered care. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway has also received numerous quality and service awards that reflect our reputation for excellence in patient care.
More Information
Learn more about:
- Free informational seminars
- How to calculate your body mass index (BMI)
- The weight loss surgery process
- Weight loss management events
Request Information or an Appointment
For more information, request an appointment or call 732-499-6210.
