Bariatric Surgery Care Team

Michigan Medicine’s team works with each patient to create a personalized experience to ensure that surgery is the best option, to help patients make necessary lifestyle changes, and to help patients reach their weight loss goals.

Bariatric Surgeons

 

Our bariatric surgeons are specialized in minimally-invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery). Our surgeons participate in the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC), a state-wide program aimed at continually improving the safety of bariatric surgery.

Graphic showing hand with scalpel and text: Board certified - Surgery - American Board of Surgery est. 1937

Nabeel R. Obeid, MD FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Director, Adult Bariatric Surgery Program

Justin, B. Dimick, MD MPH FACS
Frederick A. Coller Distinguished Professor of Surgery
Chair, Department of Surgery

Dana Telem, MD, MPH FACS FASMBS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Jonathan F. Finks, MD FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery

Sean O’Neill, MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery

Medical Bariatric Specialists

Michigan Medicine’s medical bariatric specialists provide important medical management and long-term follow-up of patients after bariatric surgery. Management and follow-up is conducted through the Michigan Medicine Metabolic Endocrinology and Diabetes (MEND) clinics.

Elif Oral, MPH, MD
Professor, Internal Medicine
Division of Metabolism Endocrinology and Diabetes (MEND)

Andrew T. Kraftson, MD
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine
Division of Metabolism Endocrinology and Diabetes (MEND)

Nazanene Esfandiari, MD
Professor, Internal Medicine
Division of Metabolism Endocrinology and Diabetes (MEND)

Bariatric Physician Assistants

Michigan Medicine physician assistants (PAs) perform initial medical evaluations and provide information to guide patients through their weight-loss journeys. Additionally, they offer a preoperative medically-supervised weight-loss clinic to help patients streamline documentation prior to surgery.

David Adams, PA-C, MCMSc
Physician Assistant

Colleen Buda, PA-C, MPAS, CSOWM
Adult Bariatric Surgery Program Director

Jennifer Norman, PA-C, MS
Physician Assistant

Grace Grabowski, MS, PA-C, RDN 
Physician Assistant

Bariatric Dietitians

Michigan Medicine registered nutritionists and dietitians are integral to the success of our patients. They perform initial dietary evaluations and provide nutritional education before and after surgery. One-on-one visits with dieticians are coordinated with PA and surgeon visits in order to be more convenient for patients.

Amy Lockwood, MPH, RDN
Lead Dietitian

Suzanna Al-Bacha, MPH, RDN
Dietitian

Elizabeth Zaebst, MPH, RDN
Dietitian

Psychologists

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing event that can challenge the ability to adjust and adapt. Michigan Medicine psychologists provide help through this change. They perform initial psychological evaluations and offer recommendations that are vital to patients’ long-term success.

Kristen L. Votruba, PhD, ABPP-CN
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry

David F. Marshall, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry

Danean Z. Moran, M.S., LLP
Psychologist MA

Bariatric Nurses

Michigan Medicine Certified Bariatric Nurses are knowledgeable and experienced. If a patient has questions about post-surgical care, they can call and speak to a nurse and get the answers they need.

Jennifer Butman, BSN, RN, CBN
Registered Nurse
Clinical Care Coordinator
Certified Bariatric Nurse

Kate Stacey, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Clinical Care Coordinator

Patient Services Coordinators

Michigan Medicine Patient Services Coordinators help patients navigate the steps involved in preparing for surgery. From initial scheduling to clearing insurance, they are committed to providing a smooth journey through a complex medical system.

Audra
Patient Services Coordinator

Endoscopic Bariatric Therapy Practitioners

Allison Raye Schulman, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine

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