Houston Weight Loss Surgery : Meet our Texas Bariatric Surgeons

Representing the best in their fields, UT bariatric surgeons bring special expertise to their patients to treat obesity by modification of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutrient intake and/or absorption. For individuals who have been unable to achieve significant weight loss through diet modifications and exercise programs alone, bariatric surgery may help to attain a more healthy body weight.

Our surgeons are respected pioneers in minimally-invasive procedures.  UT bariatric surgeons provide a comprehensive bariatric surgery program and perform more than 400 laparoscopic bariatric procedures each year.

Meet our Texas Bariatric SurgeonsAm I Eligible? Once you decide to proceed with surgery, there are certain steps to take before your operation to ensure that you are in the best possible readiness for the procedure. Read more… Meet our Texas Bariatric SurgeonsBenefits and Risks Once you enter the OR, the staff will do everything they can to make you feel safe and secure. Read more… Meet our Texas Bariatric SurgeonsPreparing for Surgery You will constantly be connected to monitoring equipment, and during this period, fully trained Recovery Room nurses will remain with you at all times. Read more…

Procedures

The Weight Loss Surgery Team

  • Dr. Erik WilsonThe Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at The University of Texas and Memorial Hermann Hospital, Dr. Wilson is board certified in general surgery and specialty trained in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery at The University of Texas Medical School. Dr. Wilson is an experienced bariatric surgeon having performed hundreds of laparoscopic bariatric surgeries including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, duodenal switch, sleeve gastrectomy, revisional bariatric surgery, and incisionless bariatric surgery. Full CV
  • Dr. Brad Snyderis a board certified general surgeon with advanced training and expertise in laparoscopic surgery for general and bariatric surgery. He completed a fellowship with MIST (Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas) affiliated with The University of Texas Medical School. He offers all standard bariatric surgeries through laparoscopy and incisionless bariatric surgery. He is the director of research for The University of Texas Bariatric Surgery Center. Full CV
  • Dr. Kulvinder S. Bajwais an Assistant Professor in The University of Texas Medical School at Houston’s Division of Minimally Invasive and Elective General Surgery. He provides minimally invasive and single incisional techniques for gastrointestinal and weight loss surgery including colon and rectal cancers, inguinal, incisional and ventral hernia repairs, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Full CV
  • Dr. Sheilendra S. Mehtais an Assistant Professor in The University of Texas Medical School at Houston’s Division of Minimally Invasive and Elective General Surgery. He specializes in conditions requiring innovative general surgery expertise with a focus on advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of abdominal pathology to include the full scope of minimally invasive bariatric surgery. Full CV
  • Dr. Todd Wilsonis an Assistant Professor in The University of Texas Medical School at Houston’s Division of Minimally Invasive and Elective General Surgery. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques for all general surgery including bariatric, colorectal, solid organ and hernia surgeries. Full CV
  • Surgical FellowsFellows are board eligible or certified general surgeons who have completed their general surgery training and are vital members of the team. They assist in all aspects of the care of patients including preoperative evaluation, hospital care, and postoperative followup.
  • Clinical Manager: Connie Klein, N.P.Connie Klein is the nurse practitioner and clinical manager for The University of Texas Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. Connie oversees the clinical operations of the Center for Bariatric Surgery and collaborates with surgeons and other staff to plan and coordinate patient care goals and achieve optimal patient outcomes. She recognizes patient care needs and collaborates with other providers and clinical staff (registered dietician, other nursing personnel, and other team members) to establish a comprehensive plan of care. She is responsible for overseeing the bariatric program as it relates to the Centers of Excellence designation.
  • Nutrition Manager: Carol Wolin-Riklin, MA, RD, LDA registered dietitian, Carol Wolin-Riklin, manages the nutritional education for UT Center for Bariatric Surgery and Memorial Hermann Hospital. She leads the preoperative education of all patients and follows all of them postoperatively for nutritional instruction and compliance as well as overseeing nutritional lab followup.
  • Bariatric Coordinator: Sharla Stroup, RN, CBNSharla Stroup is the Bariatric Program Coordinator for Memorial Hermann Hospital System. Sharla is responsible for the supervision and implementation of the bariatric surgery program for the hospital. She works closely with physician and hospital staff to ensure a successful progression for the patient through the entire surgery process.
  • Physician’s Medical Assistants:Medical assistants are valuable patient contacts who continually provide information for patients preoperatively and postoperatively. They are instrumental in the precertification process with insurance companies and can answer most common questions for bariatric patients.

Robotically-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery

The da Vinci® Surgical System is state-of-the-art robotic technology.The da Vinci® Surgical System is state-of-the-art robotic technology. The System allows your surgeon’s hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables him to perform precise surgery in complex procedures through small surgical incisions.

Open vs. Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) allows physicians to perform many kinds of major surgery with less patient trauma and pain, minimal scarring, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. Surgeries are performed through small incisions, which replace the large incisions needed for conventional open surgeries.

Robotically-Assisted MIS

The use of robotics takes minimally invasive techniques into a new era, further minimizing the physical and emotional impact of surgery on patients. Robotically-assisted MIS represents a third generation of surgery, one which builds upon the advances to open surgery introduced by MIS. Robotic technology takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand, introducing precise, versatile instrument movement combined with three-dimensional visualization of the operative site.

Benefits of MIS

The benefits of MIS are numerous. Traditional surgery often requires a lengthy hospital stay and weeks of recovery. With minimally invasive surgery, the goal is to accomplish internal repair while leaving the body surface as natural as it was prior to surgery. Many procedures require only several days in the hospital and promote reduced recovery time. Patients can often get back to their normal routines more quickly.

operating room schematic