Bariatric Services
Fully accredited comprehensive center for bariatric surgery by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program®
Weight loss is a personal journey for every individual. When diet and exercise are simply not enough, many turn to other options to lose the weight. St. Mary’s General Hospital’s Bariatric Program creates a personal weight-loss program with an individualized care plan aimed at transforming the patient’s life through weight loss, as well as reversing the onset of life-threatening disease.
Weight loss surgery, known medically as bariatric surgery, is performed on patients who are approximately 100 pounds or more overweight and have been unsuccessful with diet and exercise programs, and weight-loss medications. Someone who is 60-80 pounds overweight may qualify if he or she has a medical condition related to obesity. In addition to surgery, St. Mary’s General Bariatric Surgery Program provides counseling in the nutrition, exercise and psycho social aspects of obesity.
For further information, contact us at 1-800-633-8446
Upcoming Virtual Event: – Join Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Channing Chin, Director of Bariatric Surgery at St. Mary’s General Hospital, as he reviews procedures such as Lap Band, Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy/Gastric Balloon. This live meeting will provide details of each procedure, including risks, benefits, and postop. For upcoming dates, please call 1-800-633-8446.
St. Mary’s General Hospital offers minimally invasive weight loss surgery performed by the New York Bariatric Group, home to some of the country’s leading bariatric surgeons. Weightloss procedures include:
- Gastric Balloon
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND)
- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Revision Surgery When an initial surgery did not achieve desired results
- Medically Supervised Weight Loss
Supporting Our Patients
Weight loss surgery is a major procedure and a life-changing decision. We offer all the care you need before and after surgery to enhance your chance of success.
Patient Education Seminars
You’ll attend a patient education session where you can receive educational information and hear from other patients who are considering weight loss surgery — so you know what to expect. Your family members and friends are also welcome to attend. You can find out when the next seminar is by calling 1-800-633-8446.
Bariatric Support Group
We offer a bariatric support group for all weight loss surgery patients. The group meets every last Wednesday of the month, in St. Mary’s General’s, 2nd Floor Cafeteria Conference Room at 6:00 p.m. Free parking will be provided. For more information, call 973-365-4656.
Follow-Up Care for Life
After your weight loss surgery, you will receive ongoing care. We collaborate with your primary care physician to ensure continuity of care. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Emotional Health Support
Weight loss surgery is a major lifestyle change and can affect your emotional health, too. We offer mental health support, with a psychologist evaluating you before and after surgery and providing you with the mental health support you need.
Meet Our Doctors
Channing Y. Chin, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Director of Bariatric Surgery at St. Mary’s General Hospital
Dr. Chin has dedicated his professional career to the treatment of morbid obesity. He is a native of Louisiana, encompassing southern hospitality values, in-depth compassion, and excellent bedside manner. He has practiced on both the East and West Coast, performing thousands of bariatric procedures. Dr. Chin also has wide expertise in endoscopic, single-incision, and revision bariatric surgery. His experience gives hope to each obese patient, even if you have had previous bariatric surgery. Known for his calm demeanor, endless patience, and high level of care, Dr. Chin has earned the trust of St Mary’s General Hospital, fellow physicians, and their ever-growing patient population. He understands the consequences of being overweight and seeks to better the lives of every patient.
Glenn Forrester, MD, FACS, FASMBS – Surgeon
Dr. Glenn Forrester is a graduate of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with a bachelor’s degree in biology and earned his medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. He completed a six-year surgical residency at the combined program of Our Lady of Mercy and Lincoln Medical Centers in the Bronx. His fourth year of residency was devoted to clinical research in bariatric surgery where he focused on weight loss outcomes in various populations. Notably, Dr. Forrester was the recipient of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award for his program in 2007.
Following his residency, Dr. Forrester gained further clinical experience at an American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery approved fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Bariatric and General Surgery at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. During his fellowship, Dr. Forrester worked in the emerging field of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) and was part of one of the first surgical teams to perform this type of surgery through the use of flexible endoscopy.
Angela Glasnapp, MD, FACS, FASMBS – Surgeon
Dr. Angela Glasnapp graduated Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Albany before earning a Masters Degree in Biology from Allegheny University in Philadelphia, PA. She attended medical school at New York Medical College in Westchester, NY and then completed a general surgery residency at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan. She continued her education at an American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery approved fellowship at New York Medical College, where she received advanced training in Bariatric Surgical procedures.
Following her fellowship, Dr. Glasnapp worked at a Bariatric Surgical private practice in New Jersey for 10 years before becoming Director of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital – Northwell Health. Dr. Glasnapp is board certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is passionate about helping her patients understand that obesity is truly a disease, and that there are several surgical and medical treatment options available to help them. She enjoys helping her patients become healthier versions of themselves as she works closely with them throughout their weight loss journey.
Vadim Gritsus, MD – Surgeon
Dr. Gritsus received his medical degree from Pavlov Medical University in St. Petersburg, Russia. He conducted research at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia Department of Cardiology on cardiomyopathy and heart failure. He was then invited to work as a Senior Scientist at Johnson and Johnson, Inc. where he conducted research in tissue repair and regeneration, resulting in patent submission and several groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Dr. Gritsus received his surgical training at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, NJ.
Dr. Gritsus has performed over 6000 weight loss procedures as well as other advanced operations. He is a recognized expert in bariatric surgery, and laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Gritsus believes that those who are candidates for bariatric surgery should be treated in a clinical environment that is warm and compassionate. He is known for his surgical skills in a range of weight loss procedures, as well as his deep compassion for his patients, and the challenges they have been facing through being severely overweight. Dr. Gritsus is certified by the American Board of Surgery.
Cynthia Weber, MD, FACS, FASMBS – Surgeon
Dr. Weber is a graduate of a combined B.S/ M.D. program at Kent State University and Northeastern Ohio Universities’ College of Medicine. This program allows select students to complete undergraduate and medical school studies in 6 years rather than the typical 8 years. In addition to this unique program, she was inducted into the AOA Honor Medical Society in medical school. While completing her general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center, she dedicated part of her training to research- advancing the science of surgery. She published extensively and presented her work nationally and internationally.
She completed a fellowship in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at the renowned University Hospitals of Cleveland. During fellowship, she performed hundreds of bariatric operations, including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic revisional operations. She has a large experience in advanced foregut surgery and is well versed with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. During fellowship, she developed an extensive experience with complex endoscopic procedures.
Dr. Weber is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is an active member of Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
For more information, or to sign up for the next bariatric patient education session at the St. Mary’s General, or to make an appointment with a bariatric surgeon, please call 1-800-633-8446.