Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Columbia University

The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Columbia University operates within NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, NY, providing bariatric surgery and medical weight management under the leadership of Dr. Krikhely, Chief of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. This academic medical center combines surgical intervention with pharmacotherapy for patients seeking comprehensive metabolic health solutions. The program integrates evidence-based protocols developed through Columbia's research infrastructure with clinical care designed for individuals with obesity and related metabolic conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

The center offers GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy featuring liraglutide and semaglutide as part of its medical weight management protocols. Liraglutide, administered as a daily subcutaneous injection, works by mimicking incretin hormones to regulate appetite and glucose metabolism, while semaglutide provides once-weekly dosing with enhanced receptor binding affinity. These peptide therapies are prescribed for patients with BMI thresholds meeting FDA guidelines, often as adjunct treatment to lifestyle modification or as bridge therapy for surgical candidates. The pharmacologic approach addresses the neurohormonal dysregulation underlying obesity, targeting hypothalamic appetite centers and delaying gastric emptying to promote satiety and reduce caloric intake.

Dr. Krikhely brings specialized training in minimally invasive surgical techniques and bariatric procedures to the program, overseeing both operative and non-operative weight management pathways. The clinical team evaluates patients for sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and revisional procedures while simultaneously managing medical candidates through structured peptide protocols. This dual-track system allows the center to match treatment intensity to individual metabolic profiles, surgical risk factors, and weight loss goals. Patients undergo comprehensive metabolic assessment including endocrine evaluation, nutritional status analysis, and psychological screening to determine optimal intervention strategies.

The patient experience begins with telehealth consultation available to New York residents, during which providers review medical history, current medications, prior weight loss attempts, and comorbid conditions. For peptide therapy candidates, the center establishes baseline metabolic parameters through laboratory testing and initiates dose titration protocols designed to minimize gastrointestinal side effects while achieving therapeutic effect. Patients receive ongoing monitoring for efficacy markers including weight trajectory, hemoglobin A1c changes in diabetic patients, and tolerance assessments. The program emphasizes the distinction between short-term weight reduction and long-term metabolic disease management, structuring follow-up intervals to support sustained behavioral change alongside pharmacologic intervention.

As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the program provides access to multidisciplinary resources including endocrinology consultation, registered dietitian services, and behavioral health support integrated within the NewYork-Presbyterian system. The academic affiliation ensures treatment protocols reflect current clinical evidence and FDA-approved indications for peptide therapies. Telehealth delivery expands access for New York patients across the state who require specialized bariatric expertise but face geographic barriers to in-person academic medical center visits. The center's 4.0-star rating from ten Google reviews reflects patient feedback on this university-based approach to surgical and medical weight management in New York, NY.