News

January 12, 2017

Nashoba Valley Medical Center Launches Weight Loss Surgery Services

Center for Weight Control Also Welcomes Bariatric Surgeon John Hwang, MD,
to the Medical Staff

 Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s (NVMC) Center for Weight Control now offers surgical weight loss services to help patients who have struggled to maintain long-term weight loss, and have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 40, or a BMI of 35 or greater with related medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. NVMC’s surgical weight loss (bariatric) procedures include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve).

“Adding surgical weight loss services to the offerings of our Center for Weight Control means that we can truly meet the needs of every patient who walks through our front door,” said Salvatore Perla, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. “Weight loss patients will work with the center’s surgeons, dietitians, and behavioral therapists to determine which weight loss surgical option is best to meet their individual needs.”

During a gastric bypass procedure, the upper portion of the stomach is surgically stapled to separate it from the rest of the stomach, changing the path food takes so it bypasses much of the stomach and part of the small intestine. A sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure in which part of the stomach is removed and the stomach then takes on a tube shape. Both surgical procedures are performed laparoscopically, using minimally invasive techniques and several small incisions. The benefits of laparoscopic surgery include less pain and a quicker recovery.

“We are thrilled to provide these surgical weight loss procedures to our patients as we understand that being overweight is a medical condition that poses serious health risks, such as heart disease and diabetes,” said Stacie Perlman, MD, general and bariatric surgeon at Nashoba Valley Medical Center. “Also, weight loss can help someone achieve an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Joining Dr. Perlman, and Medical Bariatrician Theresa Piotrowski, MD, NVMC’s Center for Weight Control recently welcomed Bariatric Surgeon John Hwang, MD, to the medical staff and surgical team. Dr. Hwang received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He completed his general surgery residency at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, and a bariatric surgery fellowship at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. In addition to English, he speaks both Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Hwang join the Center for Weight Control’s team,” said Perla. “The exceptional surgical skills that Drs. Hwang and Perlman possess are an asset to Nashoba’s growing surgical weight loss programs.”

To learn more about the Center for Weight Control’s weight loss surgical services as well as non-surgical weight loss options, which include the ReShape™ Gastric Dual Balloon procedure, medical bariatric program, and OPTIFAST® meal replacement program, visit The Center for Weight Control, or call 978-862-LOSE (5673) or 978-784-9313.

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center
Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by The Leapfrog Group. The hospital was a recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval and was named to Leapfrog’s annual list of Top Hospitals in 2014. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Center for Pain Management, Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospital campuses, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.

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