RWJ University Hospital Rahway | Surgical Weight Loss Program
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
RWJ University Hospital Rahway | Surgical Weight Loss Program
Surgical Weight Loss Program
Treatment & Care
Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
Surgical Weight Loss Program
Weight Loss Surgery Program
About the Program
Our comprehensive program includes surgical options as well as nutritional
and lifestyle support needed to maintain a healthy weight. Weight-loss
surgery is safe, effective and long-lasting. Your journey to weight loss
begins here.
Do I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
RWJ Rahway understands that the decision to have weight-loss surgery is
personal and life-altering. We’ve developed a list of guidelines
to help you decide whether you’re ready to make the commitment.
Weight-loss surgery is not a cosmetic procedure. For many, it’s considered
medically necessary to improve overall health. Some of the criteria you
must meet to be considered for weight-loss surgery are determined by your
insurance company. Most insurers will require about three to six months
of a medically supervised weight-loss program. This means you will be
under the supervision of our physician, dietitian and other medical professionals.
Importantly, bariatric surgery including the consultation is covered by
your insurance company and there is no obligation should you decide not
to continue. If you continue, you will learn what to eat, when to eat
and how much to eat. Throughout the process, we will help you adopt healthy
eating and exercise habits.
You may be a candidate for surgical weight loss if you are
:
100 lbs. over ideal body weight
Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or greater with other obesity-related conditions
such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol or severe sleep apnea
After the Surgery
Recovery
Recovery time for bariatric surgery is minimal. Most patients will go home
the next day. Gastric bypass patients will stay 2–3 days.
Life After Surgery
Commitment and dedication play an important part in the long-term success
of the weight loss journey. Surgery gives patients a tool to assist with
weight loss, but it’s the mental and emotional changes that need
to be made after surgery that ensure success.
Most of the weight loss following bariatric surgery happens in the first
six to nine months. This time is best optimized by committing to a healthy
diet and exercise plan. You will be burning more calories during this
initial phase, and it’s important to take advantage of this by exercising
daily—and burning even more calories.
Equally important are your follow-up appointments, lab testing, healthy
nutrition and proper vitamin regimens. This is not an occasional commitment,
it is a lifetime commitment. Studies show that patients who commit to
eating a healthy diet, taking the required supplements, having routine
blood work and incorporating exercise into their lives achieve the best
results over time.
Nutrition
Nutrition is an important factor in bariatric surgery both before and after
the procedure. A balanced and safe nutrition program is key to the lifestyle
change that comes with bariatric surgery. Working closely with our dietitian,
you’ll learn how to achieve a totally balanced diet—a diet
that makes sense for you.
Support
You’re not in it alone, and perhaps one of the most important aspects
of a comprehensive weight-loss surgery program is the after-surgery support
group. Attending a support group allows you to share your own personal
experiences in open discussion and enables you to participate with your
peers who are going through a similar situation. The support group addresses
topics like snacking, meal portions, and self-esteem, to name just a few.
Wellness
Wellness begins with sensible exercise. Once you are cleared by your physician,
we’ll help you incorporate a manageable exercise program into your
daily routine. In fact, RWJ Rahway helped develop a supervised exercise
program in partnership with RWJ Fitness & Wellness Centers. The bariatric
exercise program is available at all RWJ Centers. For information, call
908-838-9771
.
My Options
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure in which the stomach is reduced
to nearly a quarter of its original size. Before surgery the stomach looks
like a pouch. After the surgery, the stomach looks more like a sleeve.
The smaller stomach means a quicker sense of fullness and decreased appetite.
The smaller stomach also restricts food intake.
Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
This procedure uses an adjustable band placed at the top of the stomach
to create a small pouch that limits food intake—the band may be
adjusted to make the pouch smaller or larger.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic gastric bypass routes food past most of the stomach and the
first part of the small intestine, creating a small stomach pouch. This
small stomach pouch restricts food intake by allowing only a small amount
of food to be eaten at one time. The bypass limits food and calorie absorption.
Dr. Anish Nihalani, Medical Director of the RWJ Surgical Weight-Loss Program
at Rahway, is a graduate of the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
in Piscataway, New Jersey.
A skilled and experienced surgeon, he has performed more than 3,000 surgeries
in the last 10 years, including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic
gastric sleeve and the gastric band, intragastric balloon and revisional
procedures. Dr. Nihalani is a member of the American College of Surgeons
(ACS) and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
Make an appointment today. Call
732-499-6300
. Dr. Nihalani gives monthly talks on surgical options for weight loss.
Check our Community Education calendar for dates and times.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway has been designated as a
Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery by Surgical Review
Corporation. Dr. Anish Nihalani has earned the COEMBS designation. Center
of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery™, COEMBS ™
and the COEMBS seal are trademarks of Surgical Review Corporation. All
rights reserved.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
“I was afraid I would miss food and want to eat more, but I just feel full with less food.”
Chris
Read More
“I have no pain, and I’m so grateful to Dr. King. I can finally play with my grandchildren again.”
Maria
Read More
“I love that I can wear my bathing suit without having to hide under a cover-up!”
Stephanie
Read More
View All Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
May 22, 2025
Fewer Pounds, Better Health
May 20, 2024
New Ways of Weight Loss
View All Events
Bariatric Surgery Support Group – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
Apr 23, 2026
Bariatric Surgery Informational Session – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
Apr 23, 2026
menu
View Doctors
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway
,
NJ
07065
USA
(732) 381-4200
Get Directions
Hours
Open 24 hours
(732) 499-6300
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services
Surgical Weight Loss Program
Treatment & Care
Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
Surgical Weight Loss Program
Weight Loss Surgery Program
About the Program
Our comprehensive program includes surgical options as well as nutritional
and lifestyle support needed to maintain a healthy weight. Weight-loss
surgery is safe, effective and long-lasting. Your journey to weight loss
begins here.
Do I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
RWJ Rahway understands that the decision to have weight-loss surgery is
personal and life-altering. We’ve developed a list of guidelines
to help you decide whether you’re ready to make the commitment.
Weight-loss surgery is not a cosmetic procedure. For many, it’s considered
medically necessary to improve overall health. Some of the criteria you
must meet to be considered for weight-loss surgery are determined by your
insurance company. Most insurers will require about three to six months
of a medically supervised weight-loss program. This means you will be
under the supervision of our physician, dietitian and other medical professionals.
Importantly, bariatric surgery including the consultation is covered by
your insurance company and there is no obligation should you decide not
to continue. If you continue, you will learn what to eat, when to eat
and how much to eat. Throughout the process, we will help you adopt healthy
eating and exercise habits.
You may be a candidate for surgical weight loss if you are
:
100 lbs. over ideal body weight
Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or greater with other obesity-related conditions
such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol or severe sleep apnea
After the Surgery
Recovery
Recovery time for bariatric surgery is minimal. Most patients will go home
the next day. Gastric bypass patients will stay 2–3 days.
Life After Surgery
Commitment and dedication play an important part in the long-term success
of the weight loss journey. Surgery gives patients a tool to assist with
weight loss, but it’s the mental and emotional changes that need
to be made after surgery that ensure success.
Most of the weight loss following bariatric surgery happens in the first
six to nine months. This time is best optimized by committing to a healthy
diet and exercise plan. You will be burning more calories during this
initial phase, and it’s important to take advantage of this by exercising
daily—and burning even more calories.
Equally important are your follow-up appointments, lab testing, healthy
nutrition and proper vitamin regimens. This is not an occasional commitment,
it is a lifetime commitment. Studies show that patients who commit to
eating a healthy diet, taking the required supplements, having routine
blood work and incorporating exercise into their lives achieve the best
results over time.
Nutrition
Nutrition is an important factor in bariatric surgery both before and after
the procedure. A balanced and safe nutrition program is key to the lifestyle
change that comes with bariatric surgery. Working closely with our dietitian,
you’ll learn how to achieve a totally balanced diet—a diet
that makes sense for you.
Support
You’re not in it alone, and perhaps one of the most important aspects
of a comprehensive weight-loss surgery program is the after-surgery support
group. Attending a support group allows you to share your own personal
experiences in open discussion and enables you to participate with your
peers who are going through a similar situation. The support group addresses
topics like snacking, meal portions, and self-esteem, to name just a few.
Wellness
Wellness begins with sensible exercise. Once you are cleared by your physician,
we’ll help you incorporate a manageable exercise program into your
daily routine. In fact, RWJ Rahway helped develop a supervised exercise
program in partnership with RWJ Fitness & Wellness Centers. The bariatric
exercise program is available at all RWJ Centers. For information, call
908-838-9771
.
My Options
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure in which the stomach is reduced
to nearly a quarter of its original size. Before surgery the stomach looks
like a pouch. After the surgery, the stomach looks more like a sleeve.
The smaller stomach means a quicker sense of fullness and decreased appetite.
The smaller stomach also restricts food intake.
Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
This procedure uses an adjustable band placed at the top of the stomach
to create a small pouch that limits food intake—the band may be
adjusted to make the pouch smaller or larger.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic gastric bypass routes food past most of the stomach and the
first part of the small intestine, creating a small stomach pouch. This
small stomach pouch restricts food intake by allowing only a small amount
of food to be eaten at one time. The bypass limits food and calorie absorption.
Dr. Anish Nihalani, Medical Director of the RWJ Surgical Weight-Loss Program
at Rahway, is a graduate of the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
in Piscataway, New Jersey.
A skilled and experienced surgeon, he has performed more than 3,000 surgeries
in the last 10 years, including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic
gastric sleeve and the gastric band, intragastric balloon and revisional
procedures. Dr. Nihalani is a member of the American College of Surgeons
(ACS) and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
Make an appointment today. Call
732-499-6300
. Dr. Nihalani gives monthly talks on surgical options for weight loss.
Check our Community Education calendar for dates and times.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway has been designated as a
Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery by Surgical Review
Corporation. Dr. Anish Nihalani has earned the COEMBS designation. Center
of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery™, COEMBS ™
and the COEMBS seal are trademarks of Surgical Review Corporation. All
rights reserved.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
“I was afraid I would miss food and want to eat more, but I just feel full with less food.”
Chris
Read More
“I have no pain, and I’m so grateful to Dr. King. I can finally play with my grandchildren again.”
Maria
Read More
“I love that I can wear my bathing suit without having to hide under a cover-up!”
Stephanie
Read More
View All Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
May 22, 2025
Fewer Pounds, Better Health
May 20, 2024
New Ways of Weight Loss
View All Events
Bariatric Surgery Support Group – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
Apr 23, 2026
Bariatric Surgery Informational Session – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
Apr 23, 2026
menu
View Doctors
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway
,
NJ
07065
USA
(732) 381-4200
Get Directions
Hours
Open 24 hours
(732) 499-6300
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services