Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

Arif Ahmad, MD, Director

The Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at Mather Hospital uses a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of morbid obesity employing the latest laparoscopic surgery techniques and robotic surgery. We are committed to providing the highest quality of individualized and personal care to meet your needs.

Mather Hospital, together with Dr. Arif Ahmad, Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Mather, are designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Programs with ASMBS Centers of Excellence designation practice high quality care, ensuring efficacy of the procedure with each patient to the best of their ability.

In addition, the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) has designated Mather  Hospital, together with Dr.Ahmad, as a Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery™ (COEMBS™).

Dr. Ahmad is a board-certified surgeon with Fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic surgery, including bariatric surgery. Dr. Ahmad was named One of America’s Top Surgeons by Consumer Research Council.

The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is not an easy one, and we offer you support every step of the way. In addition to our extensive pre-surgical education program, we provide long-term follow up and support to ensure the best possible weight loss results.

Why Mather?

At Mather Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, a wide range of laparoscopic procedures are offered. These procedures can help you look and feel your best through a safe and minimally invasive procedure. We are presently the only Bariatric Center in Suffolk County that also utilizes the daVinci robot for bariatric surgery, which results in great surgical precision and control resulting in less trauma to the patient.

With an onsite Sleep Disorders Center, Laboratory and Imaging Services Department, Mather Hospital will meet your medical needs as a participant in our Bariatric Surgery Program.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

In addition to relieving symptoms and helping patients lose weight, you will benefit from the laparoscopic technique, which provides advantages such as:

• Smaller incisions
• Less trauma
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery times

The incisions from laparoscopy do not require any sutures because of their small size, and generally heal quickly with minimal scarring. Most patients prefer the appearance of several smaller scars that are barely noticeable, rather than one large incision that is several inches long.

The full healing process is substantially shorter with laparoscopic surgery than with traditional open procedures. After surgery, you can usually return home the same day, or after a brief hospital stay. You can expect to return to work and other regular activities after a few days. However, exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for a few weeks.

Individualized Care from Our Staff

Patients choose Mather’s Bariatric Surgery Center for our clinical excellence and our friendly, supportive environment. Whether you are 18 or 65 years old, our program offers everything that you need, from informational meetings and preoperative testing to surgery and postoperative care.

Research shows that ongoing assistance and post-operative guidance result in improved long-term health status and weight loss success. It is because of this that we offer support groups, and our staff is available to you every step of the way. You are treated as an individual and given undivided attention and dedication so that you can receive the best possible results.