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Best Bariatric Surgeons in Los Angeles

Best Bariatric Surgeons for Obesity

The Khalili Center is run by some of the best surgeons who specialize in surgical weight loss. With over 8,000 successful outcomes, our experts are not just physicians; they are partners in your weight loss journey.

 

Theodore Khalili, MD, FACS, who is at the helm of our center, leads the team in helping individuals with severe obesity achieve a healthy weight and a more promising quality of life. They can also finally manage their health conditions.

Dr. Khalili and the team are specialists in advanced laparoscopic surgeries, which are minimally-invasive surgical procedures. They are also adept at the latest innovations, such as surgical robotics.

Meet the Khalili Doctors. Experts on Minimally-Invasive Procedures.

To date, Dr. Khalili has performed over 8,378 bariatric and advanced laparoscopic surgeries. He has authored numerous journal articles and done presentations on various medical subjects, including laparoscopic surgery, bariatric surgery, and even organ transplantation. He has also trained several surgeons in minimally-invasive surgery options. Some of his students are now managing their bariatric surgery programs all over the United States (US). 

Find out more about the founder and Director of the Khalili Center. Click here to see Dr. Khalili’s commitment to advancing minimally-invasive weight loss options.

Pioneers in Robotic Surgery

Our surgeons are pioneers in bariatric surgery procedures. In October 2002, Dr. Khalili performed the United States’ first robotics system-assisted gastric bypass surgery(1)Like Dr. Kahlili, Eraj Basseri, MD, is knowledgeable in the latest surgical techniques and equipment. A surgeon specializing in bariatric procedures and general surgery, he has partnered with Dr. Khalili and Dr. Nishi in establishing the Khalili Center.

Dr. Basseri was essential in bringing in the da Vinci Si robotic system to the Khalili Center. He has trained several bariatricians in these technologies to bring our patients the best and most advanced medical weight loss technologies. 

Watch this video to learn how Dr. Basseri helps clients with their health problems using advanced weight loss procedures.

Gregg Kai Nishi, MD, FACS, one of the Khalili Center’s partners and a board-certified bariatric surgeon, also specializes in minimally-invasive surgical optionsHe was one of the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) principal investigators during trials on a new procedure called transoral gastroplasty (TOGA®), an incision-less weight loss surgery. Dr. Nishi was also one of the first US surgeons to perform this procedure.

Discover Dr. Nishi’s role in the Khalili Center’s development and see how his wealth of experience has transformed many obese patients’ lives. Click here.

Experienced in Weight Management for Adolescents

Under stringent protocols, the Khalili Center performs surgical procedures on obese teenagers. Steve Chen, MD, FACS, FAAP, works closely with Dr. Khalili in overseeing the Khalili Center’s Adolescence Weight Loss Program. To ensure patient safety, not all obese adolescents are considered for surgical intervention. Only the most obese teenagers with chronic weight loss failure and concerning medical conditions are eligible for surgery.

For long-term success, the adolescents and their families should commit to permanent lifestyle changes to be considered a surgical candidate. Find out how Dr. Chen and the Khalili Center are improving the quality of life of obese adolescents, one patient at a time. Click here.

Specialists in Gastroenterology

For patients’ concerns regarding the duodenum, any part of the small intestine, or any digestive system component, our go-to physicians are here to help. The Khalili Center’s Directors of Bariatric Gastroenterology, Omid Shaye, MD, and Pedram Enayati, MD, are experts on our patients’ gastroenterological needs.

Dr. Shaye has done extensive research on gastrointestinal disorders and liver diseases. Meanwhile, Dr. Enayati is an expert on liver diseases, organ transplantation, and gastrointestinal disorders. Both doctors have written numerous journal articles and abstracts. They have also presented a variety of medical topics in the US and abroad.

Knowledgeable Beyond Bariatrics

The Khalili Center also offers advanced plastic surgery procedures. Ritu Chopra, MD, is our expert in body contouring and reconstructive surgery. Like our other surgeons, he is known for his exceptional diagnostic and surgical skills and caring approach to patient care.

See how Dr. Chopra and the Khalili Center are helping patients through reconstructive procedures. Click here.

Theodore M. Khalili

MD, FACS

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Gregg Kai Nishi

MD, FACS, SURGERY

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Eraj Basseri

MD

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Steven C. Chen

MD, FACS, FAAP, PEDIATRIC SURGERY

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Omid A. Shaye

MD, GASTROENTEROLOGY

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Pedram J. Enayati

MD, GASTROENTEROLOGY

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Ritu Chopra

MD, PLASTIC SURGERY

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What Is Bariatric Surgery?

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) defines bariatric surgery as procedures that result in weight loss(2). These surgical options restrict the amount of food in the stomach, cause nutrient malabsorption, or combine gastric restriction and food malabsorption.

Patients who usually undergo these surgical procedures are individuals who have medical conditions that may have been caused by obesity. These ailments, which are often life-threatening, include:

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Sleep apnea

National Institutes of Health (NIH) findings claim that individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater may develop an increased risk of death. This occurrence is seen across all age groups(3).

An 18.5 to 24.9 BMI is ‘normal.’ Being ‘overweight’ means having a BMI of 25 to 29.9, while ‘obese’ refers to a BMI of over 30. A BMI of 35 or higher is classified as ‘severely obese’(4)

Your Partners in Recovery

At the Khalili Center, we put a premium on genuine doctor-patient collaboration. Our surgeons are committed to assisting you throughout your weight loss journey.

We’ve tailored our programs and facilities to the needs of our patients because your overall health is our priority. We don’t just offer follow-ups; we provide comprehensive primary care even before the procedure. Our registered dietitians encourage our patients to eat healthily. They give nutrition advice and tips and create diet plans.

Meanwhile, our psychologists provide private counseling sessions to assist patients in preparing for life after bariatric surgery.

We also organize pre-surgery and post-surgery support groups. Sessions with these groups help our patients find a warm and supportive community where they feel welcome and inspired.

Learn more about the patient story of some satisfied clients by clicking here.

We’ve also lined up events throughout the year to encourage social and physical activity in clients. These programs include monthly walks with our surgeons, regular follow-ups, exercise programs with the staff, and even holiday celebrations.

Ease into your new and healthier life with the Khalili Center’s Unique Care Support Program.

Bariatric Surgery Types

There are different types of bariatric surgery the Khalili Center offers for long-term weight loss. These procedures include:

  • Gastric bypass surgery (roux-en-y gastric bypass) – The Khalili Center surgeons create two unequal portions of the stomach. This procedure results in restricting the amount of food you can eat and crave.
  • Sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve surgery) – Our surgeons make a gastric sleeve separate from the larger portion of the stomach. The new stomach is smaller.
  • LAP-BAND® surgery (gastric band surgery) – This procedure makes use of an adjustable gastric banding device to create a two-compartment stomach. Only the stomach’s top part, a small pouch, is filled with food because of the adjustable gastric band.
  • Revision surgery – These are revisional surgeries done on outdated, ineffective, or harmful procedures. 

Bariatric surgery is safe. However, patients may experience side effects, like the development of kidney stones, weight regains, and a failure to achieve the desired body weight.

Dumping syndrome is characterized by the stomach emptying its contents into the first part of the small intestine faster than usual.

Thus, it is vital to work with established surgeons, such as the Khalili Center team, to minimize these risks.

FAQs

How Do I Find Bariatric Surgeons Near Me?

You can find bariatric surgeons near you by researching online and accessing credible websites and bariatric directories. You may also consult family and friends.

Still, it pays to have your surgery done by credible medical groups, such as the Khalili Center, regardless of our center’s distance. 

Bariatric surgery is a lifetime decision, so the best place to get your procedure done is through trusted surgery centers, like the Khalili Center. 

How Do I Choose a Bariatric Surgeon?

At the Khalili Center, we thoroughly evaluate every patient’s case. Surgeons are assigned to clients based on their medical conditions and personal weight loss goals

We guarantee that all our surgeons believe in doctor-patient partnerships. They are all committed to turning your story into a success story.

Will My Healthcare Provider Cover Bariatric Surgery?

We advise you to determine the specific coverage available to you. For instance, Medi-Cal’s scope is limited to certain California counties only(5).

The Khalili Center can help verify if your insurance company covers your surgery. Most insurance companies would pay for the surgery costs of policyholders with a BMI of 35 or above.

How Quickly Can I Get Bariatric Surgery?

Various factors influence how long it would take before you can get your bariatric surgery. Usually, it takes months before you can get a procedure done.

Your current condition, health insurance coverage, and the preparations needed are taken into consideration before a surgical procedure is performed. How you fare in the health examinations also influences this waiting period. 

It is essential to partner with a bariatric center that genuinely cares about your weight loss journey. At the Khalili Center, we guarantee that you get results the fastest and most effective way possible.

Speak with some of the best bariatric surgeons in Los Angeles by calling 310-246-9083 today. Together, we can take that first step towards your wellness and weight loss journey

  1. Cedarssinai. (2002, November 05). Surgeons perform nation’s first Zeus® robotics system-assisted gastric bypass surgery. Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-11/cmc-spn110502.php
  2. Bariatric Surgery Procedures: ASMBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures
  3. NIH study identifies ideal body mass index. (2015, October 06). Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-identifies-ideal-body-mass-index
  4. Ibid.
  5. Is Bariatric Surgery Covered by Insurance? Retrieved from https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/weight-loss/is-bariatric-surgery-covered-by-insurance

Your Journey to Overcoming Obesity Starts Here.

Weight loss surgery is a tool to reset your life.

Our comprehensive program is everything you need to set you up for your new life and to keep the weight off. All you have to to find out if we’re right for you is to book an appointment.