Sarasota Memorial Bariatric & Metabolic Health Program

Led by Medical Director, Joseph Chebli, MD and Bariatric Surgeon Arundathi Rao, MD, the Sarasota Memorial Bariatric and Metabolic Health Program provides a comprehensive program to help patients lose weight safely and resolve many of the health conditions associated with obesity, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and lipid disorders like high cholesterol or triglycerides.

In addition to offering the latest technologies in weight-loss surgery and the best surgical expertise in the region, Sarasota Memorial's First Physicians Group (FPG) Medical Weight Loss Program enables safe and effective weight loss that lasts, without surgery. Our knowledgeable and experienced team guides program participants during every step of their journey toward better health. We offer pre-surgery counseling as well as long-term follow-up care and support to ensure the best outcome and lasting weight-loss results.

Bariatric surgery is a proven prescription for treating morbid obesity, but it isn't for everyone. For those who do not qualify for bariatric surgery, or who decide against it, the Sarasota Memorial Bariatric and Metabolic Health Program provides a full slate of non-surgical, weight-loss options and support programs.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater (or 35 to 39, if you have a diagnosed, severe, obesity-related health problem), and have tried multiple times to lose the weight on your own with little success, then surgery can be a safe and effective tool to achieve sustained weight loss and reverse related health conditions. Call 941-917-7777 for a referral to our bariatric team and find out what program best meets your needs.

Physicians recommend bariatric surgery when:

• All other attempts at weight loss have failed.
• Health conditions have created a medical need for surgery.
• Surgery seems to be the only option to achieve necessary weight loss.
• The patient is physically and mentally stable enough for major surgery.

To find out whether you qualify for weight-loss surgery, please fill out and submit the accompanying "Do you qualify" form; one of our team members will reach out to you.

Is a Medical Weight Loss Program Right for You?

Sarasota Memorial's FPG Medical Weight Loss Program enables safe and effective weight loss that lasts, without surgery. Program providers use each patient's unique health, lifestyle and preferences as the starting point to build a comprehensive weight loss plan that adjusts to their individual needs and demands.

Physicians recommend a Medical Weight Loss Program for those who:

• Want to lose 5 or more pounds and have not found success with previous diet plans.
• Do not qualify for bariatric surgery.
• Already had bariatric surgery and are struggling to maintain weight loss.
• Have reached your target weight but need ongoing support.

SMH Bariatrics Program Highlights

• Personal approach: Sarasota Memorial’s bariatrics team tailors each patient’s treatment plan to fit their unique needs, goals and lifestyle.


• Nationally accredited: SMH's bariatrics program is accredited as a higher level “Comprehensive Center” under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. The designation recognizes that the program meets the highest national standards for patient care and that its surgeons have the specialized skills, experience and successful outcomes to manage patients with complex disease.


• Full-service program with continued support: The Bariatric and Metabolic Health Program offers comprehensive weight-loss services that include non-surgical and surgical solutions. Our full-spectrum program includes pre- and post-operative education and support. We also offer regular support group meetings for those planning to have bariatric surgery and those who have already had a gastric procedure. 


• Minimally invasive surgery: Many procedures are accomplished using da Vinci-assisted robotic surgery or laparoscopic surgery, which allow for less invasive procedures with shorter recovery times.


• Board certified: All SMH bariatric surgeons are board certified in general surgery.


• Four types of surgical procedures: We offer the three most popular bariatric surgery procedures for treating obesity, as well as revisional surgery.


• SMH’s results exceed national averages: Sarasota Memorial patients report dramatic improvements in their obesity-related health conditions (comorbidities), results that beat national averages* in the major comorbidity categories: sleep apnea, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes.

* Averages among bariatric surgery centers in the U.S. that report through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), which sets national accreditation standards for the industry’s surgical centers.