Saint Charles Hospital

Arif Ahmad, MD, serves as the Director of Bariatric Surgery
at St. Charles and Mather Hospitals
His experience includes training at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Edinburgh, The Deaconess Hospital and Harvard Medical School. After his training, he spent a year mastering advanced laparoscopic techniques during his Fellowship at the University of Virginia. Previous experience includes Director of Laparoscopic Surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital. In that capacity he pioneered the laparoscopic gastric bypass and was the first surgeon in the area to perform a laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Laparoscopic surgery is a specialized technique that allows a surgeon to perform complex surgical procedures through tiny incisions. Smaller incisions allow for faster recovery, minimized pain and a lower risk of complications. Dr. Ahmad has taught this procedure and other minimally invasive operations to numerous surgeons. In addition, he has been internationally recognized for his publications of innovative techniques to prevent leaks and obstructions and to make the surgery safer. In 2004, Dr. Ahmad was recognized in "Top Surgeons of America" by the Consumer Research Council of America.

Dr. Ahmad performs lap band, laparoscopic gastric bypass and other minimally invasive procedures for esophageal reflux (heartburn), lap colon re-section, lap hernia repair and lap solid organ removal (spleen, kidney, adrenal, etc.). He has performed hundreds of weight loss surgeries with an excellent track record for safety, full recovery and a much improved quality of life.

Options for weight loss surgery:
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
This is the safest surgical option for weight loss. A hollow silicone band is placed around the top of the stomach. This band controls the amount of food that an individual can eat at one time. Patients need to eat slowly and will find they feel satisfied earlier. The band is adjusted for optimal tightness with a saline solution. Although weight loss is more gradual and patients tend to lose less total weight as compared to gastric bypass, the procedure is completely reversible.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
In this surgery, the surgeon uses staples to separate a small pouch at the top of the stomach from the rest of the organ. The lower part of the small intestine is then re-routed to the pouch. This small pouch serves as your functioning stomach and limits the amount of food you need to consume. Food bypasses the lower stomach and upper part of the small intestines and is digested in the lower part of your small intestines.

Dr. Ahmad's approach is physician-directed, comprehensive and tailored to patient's individual needs. A multi-disciplinary team of experts, specialty trained in bariatric surgery, work alongside Dr. Ahmad. This team consists of nutritionists, psychologists and support staff. Dr. Ahmad's top priority is the continuum of care following surgery. His guidance and support are available before, during and after surgery to insure patient's physical, emotional and social fulfillment.

For more information on bariatric surgery at St. Charles Hospital, please call (631) 474-6030.