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Home » Services & Specialties » Weight Loss Center

Personalized, medically guided weight loss care – all in one place.

The MVHS Weight Loss Center provides comprehensive care for individuals living with obesity. Our team understands that weight loss is not one-size-fits-all. We work with you to determine the safest and most effective approach based on your health history, goals and medical needs.

Our Services

Surgical Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery may be an option for patients who meet specific medical criteria. Surgical options include: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and care for revisions and complications.

Medical Weight Loss
For patients who qualify, medical weight loss offers a structured, medically supervised approach to weight management. Eligibility is based on body mass index (BMI) and the presence of certain health conditions.

Nutrition Counseling
Our bariatric-trained registered dietitian provides individualized nutrition guidance to support long-term success. Self-pay pricing is available. Please contact for details.

What to Expect

  • Comprehensive medical evaluation
  • Personalized treatment recommendations
  • Ongoing support and follow-up

Individual results vary. Participation requires medical evaluation and ongoing engagement in care.

At MVHS, our dedicated team of experienced professionals is here to assist you throughout your weight loss journey. Complete the contact form on our website or call 315-235-2540 to learn more about our program and to register for a consult. It is our pleasure to help guide you through all the steps of undergoing weight loss surgery.

New Patient Pre-Registration – Click Here

MBSAQIP

The MVHS Bariatric Surgery Program is a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accredited Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Accredited – Comprehensive Center. The MBSAQIP designation ensures we maintain the highest standards in surgical techniques and practice standardization, which has resulted in a dependable program with excellent outcomes.

Location Map

Bariatric Group
  • Park in Lot A or F.
  • Enter through Entrance #4.
  • Walk straight, then take a left down the hallway.
  • Take an immediate left to the Red Elevator.
  • Take the Red Elevator to “3.”
  • The office will be immediately off the elevator to the right.
  • Note: To get back to the parking lot, reverse directions above and take the Red Elevator to the M Level.

MVHS offers some of the most well established metabolic/weight loss operations – the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, the Gastric Sleeve, and management/removal or revision of Adjustable Gastric Bands.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The gastric bypass is a procedure that has been performed for decades. This procedure is regarded as the “gold-standard” of bariatric procedures. It provides significant weight loss of up to 80 percent of excess weight, generally achieved within 1 to 2 years following surgery. The gastric bypass works by restricting the amount of food that can be consumed in one sitting and also by altering gut hormones in a way that decreases appetite and increases feelings of fullness. But it is not just about weight loss – the gastric bypass is regarded as a highly effective treatment for diabetes in people who have a high body mass index (BMI).

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve)
The gastric sleeve works similarly to the gastric bypass in that there is restriction of how much food the stomach can hold at one time. Also like the gastric bypass, this procedure causes hormonal changes that decrease appetite and increase feelings of fullness. The gastric sleeve leads to significant weight loss, although it may be slightly less than the amount from gastric bypass.

Obesity Surgery in New York

Over 60 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. An estimated 34 million people suffer from obesity, it is the most common form of malnutrition in the Western world. Researchers often consider obesity to be the second leading preventable cause of death in North America. Luckily, there are options available such as seeing an obesity doctor. Utica, NY is home to state of the art facilities specialized in weight loss surgery.

When your weight is impacting your health, take back control of your health and consider obesity surgery. MVHS Bariatric Group is the go-to practice for weight loss surgery in upstate New York. Conveniently located in Utica, our bariatric surgeons serve all of New York State and beyond.

Defining Obesity

Severe or “morbid” obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through dietary modification and exercise alone. Classifications of obesity are defined by your Body Mass Index (BMI). You are considered obese if you have a BMI of 30 or more. Severe obesity is defined as having a BMI of more than 35. Morbid obesity constitutes a BMI of 40 or more. To determine if someone is a candidate for surgery, we use a BMI greater than 35. Click here to calculate your BMI.

 

Health Risks Associated with Obesity

When a person is severely obese, lifestyle is compromised. Secondary illnesses related to severe obesity can occur. Some of these conditions may put the severely obese person at risk for premature death. Secondary illnesses are also known as”comorbid conditions”.

Examples of comorbid conditions:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Sleep apnea
  • High cholesterol
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Asthma
  • Joint or back problems
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Heartburn or GERD
  • Infertility
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Depression/psychosocial dysfunction
  • Many types of cancer
  • Fatty liver
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Blood clots or venous insufficiency
  • Urinary incontinence

If considering obesity surgery, New York residents can schedule an appointment with MVHS Bariatric Group to discuss options with a doctor.

Our Stories

Brittani Brynien, patient at MVHS Bariatric Group

“As a single mom with two children I could barely run after them, let alone pick them up. I was not happy with my body and I knew I needed a change.

I went into the consultation at the MVHS Bariatric Group without a lot of expectations, but they were very knowledgeable and brought up medical conditions that I suffered from – like acid reflux – that could be related to obesity. I also learned I was prediabetic. They answered all my questions and I decided that surgery was the right option for me.

Prior to surgery, the most I weighed was 245 pounds and when I went in for surgery I was 211.

One year after surgery I weigh 147 – I lost nearly 100 pounds from when I was at my heaviest.

Now, post-surgery, I am able to run after my children and I can fit on the playgrounds they like to play on. Another benefit of Bariatric surgery was it reduced my acid reflux and my mental health has improved 100 percent, both in the way I see myself and that I have more love for myself.

When it comes to Bariatric surgery, everybody has their own experience. It’s your journey and you can decide what path to take. Gastric bypass worked for me. Choose the right path for you, even if it means not getting the surgery.

The team at the MVHS Bariatric Group can help you make the best decision for you – Dr. Rao, Dr. Graber, the Nurse Practitioners, nurses and staff – they explain everything and don’t judge you.”