Emerson - Mass General Weight Loss Program
The Emerson - Mass General Weight Loss Program, located at our Center for Specialty Care in Concord, Massachusetts, helps individuals who are suffering from morbid obesity. Our comprehensive, clinical approach has a proven track record. Our goal? To help you achieve safe and long-term weight loss.
Inside the Surgical Weight Loss Center, you’ll find:
- A team dedicated to you—board-certified surgeons, program manager, dietitians, mental health practitioner and physician assistant
- Minimally invasive surgical options, including gastric bypass, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy
- Personalized, one-on-one care and support for a safe and effective return to health
- Designated by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1A Accredited Bariatric Center, the Surgical Weight Loss Program is a Center of Excellence
- Surgeons whose #1 concern is your safety
Your team. Your hospital.
Weight loss is often all about numbers. Like the hundreds of weight loss procedures our experienced team performs every year. Or our very low number of complications—a sign of technical proficiency. Or our singular commitment to high-quality care, education and support from your first appointment through follow-up care.
Your experience at the Surgical Weight Loss Center.
Our goal is to help individuals with morbid (Class III) obesity achieve permanent weight loss. The comprehensive program begins with an evaluation by our specialists who will determine if weight loss surgery is right for you, and then help you throughout the surgical process and assist you long after surgery.
Your first step is to attend a free, two-hour information session where our surgeons and team provide a program overview and describe your weight loss surgery options. You will receive detailed literature and a confidential questionnaire to fill out prior to an initial consultation. If you plan to join us, please call our office at 978-287-3532 to confirm the meeting location and discussion topics. When you enter the main lobby at Emerson, the information desk staff will be happy to direct you to the information session.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 ~ Emerson Hospital, Concord, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 ~ Emerson Hospital, Concord, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 ~ Westford Regency, 219 Littleton Road, Westford, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 ~ Emerson Hospital, Concord, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 ~ The Verve Crown Plaza, 1460 Worcester Street, Natick, MA, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 ~ Emerson Hospital, Concord, 6:00 pm
We take a customized approach to your nutritional needs with a personalized program that includes:
Monthly support groups – This forum is important for information and emotional support both before and after surgery. If you plan to join us, please call our office at 978-287-3532 to confirm the meeting location and discussion topics. View upcoming dates.
Psychological evaluation and counseling – Receive a comprehensive evaluation and individual treatment sessions so you can make an informed decision regarding surgery and prepare for the lifestyle changes after surgery.
Dietitian and physician assistant meetings/evaluations – Get help throughout the process from experienced professionals committed to your success.
Follow-up care and support – Our program is designed to provide the ongoing, one-on-one care required throughout your entire journey.
Meet our team
Dr. David Lautz, Medical Director, Emerson - Mass General Weight Loss Program
Dr. Ozanan Meireles, bariatric surgeon
Dr. Janey Pratt, Director of the Mass General Weight Center
Hilda Escobedo, BMS, PA-C, BS
Physician Assistant-Certified, Bariatric Surgery Clinical Coordinator
Ms. Escobedo received her bachelor's of medical science degree and physician associate degree from Emory University School of Medicine. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Are you a candidate?
To qualify for weight loss surgery, patients should have 100 pounds or more of excess weight, a BMI of 40 or greater, or have a BMI of 35 or greater with one or more co-morbidities. It is important to remember that bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery and does not involve the removal of fat tissue by suction or surgical removal. You must commit to long-term lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise and behavior modification which are keys to the success of bariatric surgery.
Read Bariatric Surgery FAQs
Insurance Authorization
Generally all insurance plans cover bariatric surgery. We advise every potential patient to verify that bariatric surgery is a covered benefit within your plan. Our team will provide the medical necessity of the surgery, authorize your procedure for you and explain the requirements needed for your insurance plan to give their authorization.
About weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery has proven to be the best way for obese individuals to lose and maintain weight. Our experienced surgeons offer:
Gastric Bypass – Endorsed by the National Institutes of Health, gastric bypass produces superior results compared to traditional weight loss. Sometimes referred to as stomach stapling, the surgery divides the stomach into two separate portions and creates a new, smaller stomach pouch—about the size of a golf ball. To complete the surgery, the small intestine is rerouted to the new stomach, permanently restricting food intake and limiting the absorption of calories and nutrients. Patients typically lose an average of approximately 70–80% of excess weight during the first year.
Gastric Banding – This surgery places a small, adjustable band at the upper end of the stomach, which creates a smaller stomach pouch but does not interfere with the normal digestive process. The mechanism of this surgery is restriction of portion sizes. Patients can expect to lose approximately two-thirds of their excess weight during the two years after surgery.
Additional Support
Cooks Corner – Creatively adapted recipes to help you lose weight and eat great. The dietitians of this program have modified recipes of favorite foods that can still be enjoyed and are appropriate for bariatric surgery patients. Download our recipes below:
Do you want to share a recipe that you created? Fax your inspirational recipe to 978-287-2902 and our dietitian will review it to share with others.