Take the first step at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, the region’s leading facility for weight-loss surgery.
At MedStar Health, we understand the difficulties of dealing with weight issues, both physically and emotionally. That’s why we have a team of healthcare professionals at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital who specialize in this field.
For the past seven years, our weight loss surgery program has been helping patients utilizing the latest advancements in the field, including the da Vinci® Surgical Robot. This advanced system enables the surgeon to make smaller incisions with far greater precision. For patients, this results in less risk, less discomfort, less scarring, and faster recoveries.
Latest and most effective weight-loss surgery options
Meet our team
Dr. Sameer Alrefai answers common questions about bariatric surgery.
Fully accredited in metabolic and bariatric surgery
MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, MD, is the only facility in the Southern Maryland region to earn the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This initiative was developed to assist bariatric patients in making more informed choices when selecting a provider. Importantly, this accreditation is also a requirement by some insurance companies to cover the cost of a bariatric procedure.
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) combined their respective national bariatric surgery accreditation programs into a single unified program to achieve one national accreditation standard for bariatric surgery centers, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®).
MBSAQIP works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgical centers. A bariatric surgical center achieves accreditation following a rigorous review process during which it proves that it can maintain certain physical resources, human resources, and standards of practice. All accredited centers report their outcomes to the MBSAQIP database.
Meet our weight-loss team.
Sameer Alrefai, MD, FACS
Specialties: Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery
Katelynn Edinger, Nurse Practitioner
Bariatrics Program CoordinatorSpecialties: Bariatric and General Surgery
"This was my first experience at this practice with Dr. Alrefai. He was wonderful and explained what I needed to do!"
Robotic-assisted bariatric surgery for greater precision and better outcomes.
High-tech meets high touch. For bariatric procedures, our surgeons can choose to operate with the da Vinci® Surgical Robot. This state-of-the-art system is one of the most effective, least invasive surgical treatments available today. It provides both the surgeon—and the patient—many significant advantages.
The surgeon, positioned a few feet from the patient, operates the console equipped with a 3-D microscopic camera and four miniature robotic arms. This allows for extreme precision and greater dexterity than the human hand alone. The physician is always 100% in control of the robotic surgical system, making exact, delicate movements.
For the patient, this modern method results in smaller incisions, less scarring, less pain after surgery, less risk of infection, and less time to recover.
The latest, most effective weight-loss surgery options.
Different patients have different needs. Our team carefully examine your condition based on body mass index, eating habits, previous surgeries, and other health factors. From this analysis, the surgeon will recommend a specific weight-loss procedure. Among the options:
-
Sleeve Gastrectomy
During this procedure, your specialist reduces the size of your stomach by approximately 80 to 85%, so you will get full on a small amount of food. Weight loss occurs through restriction of food intake.
-
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Revisional/conversion procedures are offered for patients who experience complications or who have done well with post-surgery weight loss, but need more help losing additional weight. Our team will conduct a full evaluation to determine if you are a candidate. Patients who have experienced weight regain due to non-compliance are typically not candidates for revision/conversion surgery.
Weight loss for life
Bariatric surgery helps local barber restore his health and energy
Alvin Tippett Jr. is no stranger to weight loss. At one time, with the help of a weight loss support program, Alvin, 53, had dropped 150 pounds. But through the years, the weight had crept back on and in 2022, suffering from severe sleep apnea, he knew it was time for a change.
“I was overweight and struggling to get through every day. My knees were killing me from standing up at work cutting hair as a barber,” said Alvin.
A brighter future ahead
For Sarah Thompson, bariatric surgery is first step on journey to a healthier life
Watching former colleagues lose weight following bariatric surgery is what finally made Sarah Thompson decide to make the call to the Bariatric Surgery Program at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.
“I had been interested in the surgery for a while,” said Sarah. “When I first started looking into it, the surgery wasn’t covered by my insurance. Once I heard my friends going through the process, I reached back out to my insurance to verify that it was covered and indeed it was.”
No longer weighed down.
Bariatric surgery restores a young mother’s energy and love for life.
A year ago, Shaneka Lee decided to change her life. Walking her son to the bus stop, the 33-year-old mother of two was out of breath and exhausted.
“It was so embarrassing and so disturbing,” said Shaneka. “That was when I was at my highest weight-285 pounds.”
Experience a comprehensive approach to weight loss.
Our goal is to support and assist every patient who comes to us seeking better health and wellness. We practice a multidisciplinary approach to weight reduction, as well as long-term maintenance to sustain your progress. This includes a wide range of resources, such as weight management education, nutritional counseling, exercise guidance, cardiac risk services, and support groups.
Our path to weight-loss surgery
Electing to have weight-loss surgery is an important decision. Over many years, we’ve developed a process to help you make an informed choice and optimize your success.
- Fill out the form for your free online evaluation: The form appears after the online seminar video. It’s brief and it introduces us to you.
- Meet with Dr. Alrefai: As our lead weight-loss surgeon at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Alrefai will provide your initial consultation. He’ll advise on whether you’d significantly benefit from weight-loss surgery.
- Attend nutritional classes: These classes prescribe a medical diet in preparation for the weight-loss surgery. So you’re ready for the procedure, as well as the recovery period.
- Behavior evaluation: Our healthcare team gets to know you better, physically and mentally. We’ll discuss your current habits regarding exercise, food, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances. In some cases, behaviors may need to be reformed to ensure post-surgery success.
- Endoscopy: In this painless procedure, the surgeon guides a thin tube equipped with a microscopic lens into your stomach and small intestine for a detailed examination. This helps identify any potential issues before the weight-loss surgery.
- Meet again with Dr. Alrefai: Over the course of two or three more meetings, he’ll review your condition, carefully explain the procedure, and evaluate your mental attitude. In addition, he’ll go over your personalized post-surgery recovery instructions.
- Surgery: You’ll be operated on by Dr. Alrefai. He may choose to perform the procedure using the da Vinci® Surgical Robot. This advanced system makes smaller incisions, for less pain and quicker recovery.
- Post-surgery check-ins: Dr. Alrefai will assess your recovery and make recommendations. This may include referrals to nutritionists, exercise programs, psychotherapists, and support groups. The MedStar Health team will continue to monitor your health and track your weight-loss progress.
Properly equipped for your comfort and safety.
MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital is designed to conveniently accommodate patients seeking healthcare services for weight issues. This includes staffing, training, facility infrastructure, patient care pathways, and more.
Optum has designated the MedStar St. Mary's Hospital Bariatric Surgery program a Center of Excellence.
Continued support long after surgery
You’ll be encouraged to join our ongoing support group to help maintain your weight-loss goals, supervised by MedStar Health specialists. In addition, you’ll receive a yearly checkup with Dr. Alrefai to monitor your condition and progress.
As your weight decreases, you may want to meet with our plastic surgery team. They offer a full range of body contouring procedures to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, thighs, and arms, as well as breast lift and augmentation. These procedures can help slim down your body and restore a smooth contour after significant weight loss.
FAQ
-
Who is a good candidate for weight-loss surgery?
A preliminary indicator is your body mass index (BMI). This is a measurement based upon your height and weight. You can quickly determine your body mass index with this calculator.
If your Body Mass Index is a score of 40 or higher, you’re likely to benefit from bariatric surgery. This usually equates to about 100 lbs. overweight.
If your Body Mass Index Score is 35, but you also have a related health issue, such as such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, you’re also likely to be a good candidate for a weight-loss procedure.
-
How much weight can I expect to lose?
On average, about 90% of patients lose approximately 50% of their excess weight after bariatric surgery. These results take place over 18 to 24 months. And each bariatric procedure—and patient—has slightly different results. What’s more, patients usually feel more energetic and experience less pain as they begin to lose weight. This post-surgery weight loss can also result in hormonal changes, which can lead to even greater weight loss.
-
Does insurance cover weight-loss surgery?
It depends on your condition and policy. Many insurance plans do cover weight-loss surgery. Our staff may be able to assist you in navigating the insurance process.
Worth noting, some insurance companies require that the surgery be performed at a facility that meets the ASMBS-approved quality standards (MBSAQIP). MedStar St. Mary’s is the only hospital in the Southern Maryland region to achieve this top accreditation.
To further help you communicate with your insurance company, there’s a non-profit group called The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). They offer a free guide titled, “Working with Your Insurance Provider: A Guide to Seeking Weight-Loss Surgery.” You may find this information useful when applying for approval. -
Why does it take three to six months before the surgery?
Electing to undergo bariatric surgery is a major decision and a life-changing event. In order to yield the best possible outcome, new behaviors in diet and activity may need to be established. Our process for bariatric surgery is detailed earlier on this page. Please have a look.
-
How long will it take to recover after weight-loss surgery?
Since we use advanced techniques to minimize surgical incisions, you could be back home after just one day in the hospital. And depending on your procedure and your recovery rate, you could be back to work one week later.
-
Can you still have weight-loss surgery if you have other underlying conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea?
Yes. In fact, weight-loss surgery may improve other health conditions, such as helping to control diabetes. After surgery, 60% of patients with high blood pressure were able to stabilize their condition and no longer needed meds. And 90% of sleep apnea patients stopped using their CPAP machines.
-
Is weight-loss surgery risky?
Weight-loss operations have been performed and refined over many decades. Today, they are among the most studied procedures in medicine. With the advance of robotic-assisted surgery, there are now smaller incisions, less complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. In fact, the complication rates for bariatric surgery are less than those for knee replacement, gallbladder removal, or a hysterectomy.
-
How long should I wait to become pregnant after weight-loss surgery?
Generally, women are advised to wait 12-18 months. Following the procedure, most women become more fertile, even with moderate weight loss. In addition, there’s much less risk of problems during pregnancy and childbirth after the surgery. Children born after their mother’s surgery are also less at risk of being affected by obesity. This is due to the activation of certain genes during fetal growth.