Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Programs - Fall River, MA

What Does Your Weight Loss Program Look Like?

This comprehensive program for weight management is an affiliation of Prima CARE's Endocrinology Division and St. Anne's and St. Elizabeth's acclaimed Bariatric Surgery Program. Prima CARE now offers patients the combined benefits of a weight loss program and weight-loss surgery so you can achieve your goal of weight loss and improved health.

Is Bariatric Surgery Right For Me?

For a patient to enjoy the long-term success of gastric bypass surgery, they must commit to making permanent changes in their lifestyle. As with any major surgery, bariatric surgery comes with the risks of side effects. 

Good candidates for bariatric surgery include people who:

• Have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
• Have a BMI of 35 or more and a serious weight-related health issue (e.g. type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea)

For a referral to the Center for Weight Control, speak to your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or call 508-235-0481. You can also contact Dr. Tamer Yacoub at 508-672-0483.

Who Performs Bariatric Surgery?

Prima CARE's Endocrinologist, Dr. Tamer Yacoub, works alongside Dr. Matthew Lemaitre of St. Elizabeth’s in providing the safest and most effective medical and surgical options for weight control. Their staff includes dedicated nurse practitioners, dietitians, and psychologists that work collaboratively to customize a weight loss plan catered to your individual desires and medical needs.

What Types of Weight Loss Surgeries Do You Offer?

• Laparoscopic gastric bypass - Considered the "gold standard" for weight-loss surgery by the National Institutes of Health, gastric bypass involves making five to six small incisions in the abdomen to create a small stomach pouch. This small pouch restricts food intake and the amount of calories the body can absorb.
• Sleeve gastrectomy - A procedure that removes 75 to 80 percent of the stomach to create a new banana-sized stomach, or “sleeve.” This surgery is best for people who have a BMI (body mass index) of at least 40.
• Gastric banding - In this procedure, the surgeon places a band around the upper part of your stomach to create a small pouch. The band limits how much food you can eat, making you feel full after eating a small amount of food.

Do You Perform Antireflux Surgery?

Yes, we are also equipped to provide antireflux surgery for treatment of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) for patients who have not had success with medicine or other conventional treatment. Antireflux surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure that corrects gastroesophageal reflux.