Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) in Ascension Saint Agnes Bariatric Surgery

Ascension Saint Agnes Bariatric Surgery – Maryland Bariatrics is a specialized surgical center in Catonsville, Maryland. Established in 2001, the facility focuses on metabolic health and advanced gastrointestinal surgery. The program uses a team-based approach. It integrates education, surgical intervention, and long-term behavioral support.

Accreditations and Achievements

The American College of Surgeons recognizes the clinic as a Fully Accredited Comprehensive Center of Excellence. It also holds accreditation through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This signals adherence to national quality and safety standards for surgical weight loss.

Since its founding, the surgical team has performed over 10,000 bariatric procedures. Dr. Isam Hamdallah has personally completed more than 2,500 operations. The medical team includes surgeons recognized as "Top Docs" in bariatric surgery by their peers.

Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery

The clinic treats obesity in patients with a BMI over 40. It also treats patients with a BMI over 35 when accompanied by co-morbidities like type II diabetes. Surgeons perform several laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass – can lead to 70% loss of excess weight within two years
• Sleeve gastrectomy – a one-to-two-hour procedure that removes about 80% of the stomach
• Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) – a non-incisional option where sutures are placed via the throat
• Biliopancreatic diversion and complex revisional bariatric surgery

Every surgical candidate undergoes a mandatory psychological evaluation led by Dawn O'Meally, LCSW-C. This assessment confirms patients are ready for the lifestyle changes required after surgery. The clinical pathway also includes nutritional counseling and bariatric nursing support certified through the ASMBS.

General and Gastrointestinal Surgery

Beyond weight loss, the team manages complex abdominal wall hernias and severe acid reflux (GERD). Specialists use surgical mesh for durable tissue support during hernia repairs. The department treats several types of hernias:

• Hiatal and paraesophageal hernias
• Incisional hernias at previous surgical sites
• Inguinal and groin hernias
• Umbilical and ventral hernias

For patients with GERD, the clinic offers Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF). This endoscopic method recreates the stomach valve without external cuts. When a hiatal hernia exceeds 2 cm, doctors often combine TIF with laparoscopic hernia repair.

Advanced Surgical Technology

Surgeons at Maryland Bariatrics use the Da Vinci XI robotic system for high-precision operations. This platform provides 3D visualization and allows smaller incisions than traditional surgery. Robotic assistance is common for both weight loss procedures and advanced hernia repairs.

The facility also features advanced endoscopic suites for upper GI diagnostics and non-surgical treatments. Doctors use manometry and pH monitoring to distinguish hiatal hernias from other conditions. Minimally invasive techniques help shorten healing times.

International Patient Services

The clinic provides dedicated support for international patients, including help with document coordination. Staff members offer services in English and Spanish for consultations and care navigation. Online educational seminars are available 24/7 with English closed captioning.

Virtual appointments with surgeons are available to discuss treatment plans before travel. Bariatric care navigators help manage insurance requirements and coordinate the multidisciplinary team. Long-term follow-up care is provided through telehealth and structured annual visits.