Weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery)
Request an appointment
Request an appointment
Existing Patients
Make an appointment by phone
617.414.8052
Make an appointment with
MyChart
Book with MyChart
New Patients
We're glad you've chosen BMC for your care! Please call the department you wish to make an appointment with to get started. Learn more about coming to BMC.
If you are a new patient and need an appointment, please contact us at the phone number below.
617.414.8052
Refer a patient
Refer a patient
Call our department to schedule a referral appointment
617.414.8052
PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, new patient information sessions are not currently held and patient support groups are held virtually.
Change Your Life With Boston Medical Center Weight Loss Surgery
If you or someone you know is living with obesity, you understand the struggles of countless weight loss programs that have failed, the exhaustion of small tasks, and the increased health risks due to weight.
At Boston Medical Center, our team understands these challenges and works with each patient to find the best treatment and surgical option. Our surgeons have performed thousands of successful surgeries and our Bariatric Surgery Program is recognized as an MBSAQIP Accredited Comprehensive Center.
Weight loss surgery can help you lose weight and provide a great tool for managing your weight and weight-related health problems.
New information sessions for patients
If you are interested in learning more about the Bariatric Surgery Program at Boston Medical Center, please call our office at 617-414-8052 to register for a New Patient Information Session. You will have the opportunity to meet our surgeons, receive introductory information on surgical options, and learn about the path to surgery in a friendly and supportive environment. These sessions are offered in both English and Spanish.
Make an appointment
To make an appointment or if you have any questions about Boston Medical Center weight loss surgery, please call us at 617.414.8052 .
Watch our informational video on obesity, the procedures we offer, and how we can help you on your journey to lasting weight loss.
in Spanish
Contact Us
7th Floor, Suite 7A
Shapiro Center 617.414.8052
Treatments & Services
At Boston Medical Center, we offer two types of weight loss surgery: gastric bypass and gastric sleeve (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). These procedures, which are commonly performed laparoscopically, limit the amount of food you can eat and can achieve excellent weight loss. There are some important differences to consider when deciding which procedure is best for you and your surgeon.
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical procedure in which the stomach is made smaller by stapling it and dividing it into two compartments. The smallest compartment is called a bag. Most of the stomach is bypassed, which means that food surrounds it, rather than through it.
Gastric sleeve (vertical sleeve gastrectomy)
With sleeve or gastric sleeve gastrectomy, your stomach will be made smaller by stapling and dividing most of your stomach and pulling it out of your body. The remaining stomach is in the shape of a long, narrow tube with a small food container at the end of the tube.
Revision surgery for weight loss
Boston Medical Center weight loss surgeons have extensive experience in the field of revision weight loss surgery. This includes the elimination of adjustable gastric band devices (Lap Band®) or conversion to another type of weight loss surgery.
Our Team
Boston Medical Center's Bariatric Surgery Program is recognized as a Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons. The team is made up of national leaders, who are experts in their fields and have performed more than a thousand surgeries.
Our weight loss doctors offer many surgical and non-surgical options for obesity, such as bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery, gastric bypass, gastric band, and gastric sleeve surgery.
Bariatric Surgeons
Donald T Hess, MD
Director, Bariatric Surgery Program
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine
Special Interests
Abdominal Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gallbladder Surgery, Gastric Bypass Revision Surgery, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Surgery, General Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Minimally Invasive Surgery
Brian J Carmine, MD
Special Interests
Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Robotic Surgery
Cullen O Carter, MD
Special Interests
General surgery, Bariatric surgery, Hernia Repair, Upper GI surgery
Luise I Pernar, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine
Special Interests
Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery, Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Gallbladder Surgery, Foregut Surgery, Endoscopy
Social Worker
Kelly L Fournier, LICSW
Special Interests
Specialization in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders
Registered Dietitians
Claire M LeBrun, RDN/LDN, MPH
Special Interests
Weight Management; Bariatrics; Culinary
Wendy Anderson, MS, RDN, LDN
Senior Bariatric Surgery Dietitian
Wendy has been practicing as a bariatric dietitian since 1999. She has and continues to be the lead dietitian in several obesity-related research projects including the implementation of Boston Medical Center's surgical weight-management clinical database. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition Sciences at the University of Vermont and completed her Dietetic Internship and Master Degree at the University of Rhode Island. She has authored multiple publications in the field of obesity medicine which have been published in peer-reviewed journals. She has presented topics on bariatric surgery at obesity conferences including Obesity Week and the Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center (BONRC). Prior to her current position as Senior Bariatric Surgery Dietitian, she was the dietitian for the obesity program at Jewish Memorial Hospital located in Boston, MA. She is a member of the Weight Management Practice Group affiliated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Wendy's special interests include obesity research, bariatric surgery, weight management, integrative medicine, and mindful eating practices.
Lesley Levitt, MS, RDN, LDN
Bariatric Surgery Dietitian
Lesley completed her dietetic education at Simmons College along with a Master of Science in Applied Nutrition from Northeastern University. Following her academic work, she completed a clinical internship at Mount Auburn Hospital where she was trained in their Surgical Weight Loss Program. Lesley comes from a background in nutrition research focused on obesity and weight management. Prior to coming to Boston Medical Center, she was involved in weight loss research studies at both Tuft's University in the Energy Metabolism lab, and Boston Children's Hospital in the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center.
Patient Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Frequently Asked Questions section refers to United States-based generally standard and accepted practices. As always, please check with your physician to determine their practices, guidelines and what they recommend for you.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Obesity and Your Health
Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk.