GI Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Patients, those considering surgery, family members and support-persons (18 & over please) are welcome to attend our support group meetings. Our groups are moderated by healthcare professionals.

You may attend EITHER the first *OR* second Wednesday meeting of each month, but not both. Please join us!

2020 Dates (scroll DOWN for room directions!)

Jan 1: Happy New Year! There will be no meeting -> we know this is disappointing ;0) 
Jan 8, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Feb 5, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Feb 12, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Mar 4, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Mar 11, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Apr 1, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Apr 8, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
May 6, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
May 13, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Jun 3, 6-7PM in WGC B/C
Jun 10, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C. Special guest speaker Susan Zilberman will discuss mindful eating for part of our meeting. More about Susan: https://www.mbecoach.com/
Jul 1, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Jul 8, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Aug 5, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Aug 12, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Sep 2, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Sep 9, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Oct 7, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Oct 14, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Nov 4, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Nov 11, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C
Dec 2, 6-7 PM in WGC B/C
Dec 9, 7-8 PM in WGC B/C

Room Directions

To go to WGC: Weill Greenberg Center A/B or B/C 2nd Floor Conference Rooms
1305 York Avenue is on the Southwest corner of York and 70th street. Take the escalator or elevator to the 2nd floor.

To go to BB: Belfer Building, 413 East 69th Street 
The Belfer Building is on the north side of 69th Street b/w 1st and York Avenues. Once inside the building, please consult the large, digital screen on your right for that evening’s room assignment and/or ask the guard to direct you.

To go to W-118: Whitney 118, 525 East 68th Street
Enter at the main hospital entrance with the circular driveway on East 68th street between York Avenue and the East River. The room is through the door immediately to your left, just before where the guard is standing. After passing through this door, take your first left, through a second door, and the room is on your right. This is a PRIVATE AREA, you will need to ask the guard to let you through these doors as they are locked. If you arrive too early, please take a seat in the lounge area until the guard lets everyone in together when the meeting leader arrives.

Weill Cornell Medicine surgeons treat a wide range of gastrointestinal issues using minimally invasive techniques that reduce pain and recovery time.

As leaders in the field, our expertise includes any complex digestive disease and abdominal wall hernias, although we are able to treat multiple conditions that affect the entire GI system, including the following organs:

• Esophagus (achalasia, esophageal tumors, GERD, paraesophageal hernias)
• Gallbladder and Liver
• Pancreas
• Small and Large Intestine
• Solid organs such as the spleen and adrenal gland

Conditions We Treat

Esophageal Disorders

• Achalasia
• Esophageal tumors
• Paraesophageal hernia

Stomach Disorders

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hiatal hernia
• Epigastric hernia
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Stomach tumors

Gallbladder/Liver Disorders

• Cholecystitis
• Choledocholithiasis
• Gallstones
• Liver tumors
• Liver cysts

Pancreatic Disorders

• Pancreas tumors
• Pseudocyst

Intestinal Disorders

• Small bowel tumors
• Colon tumors
• Diverticulitis    

Solid Organs Disorders

• Adrenal tumors
• Hematologic disorders
• Splenic cysts

Hernia

• Hiatal hernia
• Inguinal hernia
• Paraesophageal hernia
• Ventral/incisional hernia
• Umbilical hernia

Endocrine Disorders

• Adrenal gland
• Carcinoid tumors
• Pancreas tumors

Other Procedures

• Peritoneal dialysis catheters
• Excision of lipomas

Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine?

Weill Cornell Medicine surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive surgery, particularly laparoscopy and robotic surgery.

Unlike traditional “open” surgery, these minimally invasive procedures involve small incisions, which make surgery less painful. Patients also recover more quickly using this approach.

Our surgeons are experts on abdominal wall hernia repair via laparoscopy and robotic surgery. We repair all types of hernias – including ventral, umbilical, epigastric, incisional and inguinal hernias – through these minimally invasive techniques. Using robotic technology, we are also able to perform complex abdominal wall reconstruction for larger hernias with great results.

Working alongside with Weill Cornell nephrology services, our doctors also are able to place peritoneal catheters for dialysis on renal patients via laparoscopy.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Learn more about our surgeons by viewing their profiles. Contact us to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our surgical services.

We're dedicated to helping you accomplish your weight loss goals through personalized care and the latest medical advances. Learn more.

At Weill Cornell Medicine, our treatment of Type 2 diabetes extends to surgical methods. These procedures are especially helpful for those who are unable to keep their blood sugar under control despite medication, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications.

Unlike bariatric surgery, metabolic surgery focuses on controlling metabolic illnesses, not just excess weight. Metabolic surgery includes surgery for diabetes and surgery for obesity and metabolic syndrome. It may also include surgery for weight reduction when it presents a significant burden on a patient’s quality of life. 

Weill Cornell Medicine is a leader in the field, pioneering the treatments that have helped patients lose weight and control their Type 2 diabetes safely and effectively. 

About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin and/or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This condition is referred to as "insulin resistance."

Left untreated, this resistance leads to raised blood glucose, or sugar, levels, which can adversely affect various organs and tissues, including the heart, kidneys and eyes.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, characterized by the continuing deterioration of insulin production over time. This leads to increasing need for medication, while persistent or worsening glycemic control may increase the risk of developing diabetes complications, such as heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, eye disease and blindness.

Type 2 diabetes is also associated with various cardio-metabolic disorders such as:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Increased blood cholesterol and triglycerides (dyslipidemia)

Although the exact underlying causes of type 2 diabetes are not yet fully understood, a number of risk factors have been identified, including obesity, diet, lack of physical activity, increasing age, insulin resistance, family history of diabetes and ethnicity.

Benefits of Metabolic and Diabetes Surgery

In individuals with severe obesity, surgery can:

• Induce a "remission" of diabetes, in which blood sugar levels return to normal without medication
• Or cause a significant "improvement" in blood glucose, meaning that blood sugar levels are more controlled with less medication 

In addition to controlling diabetes and assisting weight loss, metabolic surgery can help patients:

• Improve metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and sleep apnea
• Reduce the incidence of cancer
• Increase long-term survival

Our Approach to Metabolic and Diabetes Surgery

Many patients turn to metabolic surgery — also known as diabetes surgery — when medication, a healthier diet, and lifestyle changes fail to keep their diabetes under control.

At Weill Cornell Medicine, individuals interested in surgery meet directly with surgeons to discuss their health goals and to learn more about available procedures. 

Patients also have access to a support group, where they can connect with others who have or are about to undergo surgery. Registered dietitians on staff can also help patients make the dietary choices that are right for them.

Schedule an Appointment

Contact us today to make an appointment or for more information.