Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Menu image

Results & Experience

Yannis Raftopoulos, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS, Director

  • USA trained and Board Certified Surgeon
  • Fellowship trained in Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgery
  • 13 years of experience in Bariatric surgery and 2,000 bariatric case experience
  • Former Chief of Bariatric Surgery, Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center, Hartford, CT
  • Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Connecticut (2008-2014)
  • Assistant Professor of Surgery University of Connecticut (2007-2008)
  • Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh (2003-2007)
  • Surgeon of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery certified by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  • Primary Investigator in funded research trials
  • More than 120 national and international podium presentations and peer reviewed publications
  • Scientific work has been cited by other scientists more than 1,100 times
  • Experience in bariatric surgery, laparoscopic antireflux surgery, laparoscopic hernia surgery and laparoscopic colon surgery
  • Experience in plastic surgery procedures after weight loss such as panniculectomies and arm and thigh lifts

Dr. Raftopoulos’ Results

  • Lose up to 240 pounds in one year!
  • Range of weight loss for women in one year after surgery: 81-149 pounds (depending on initial weight)
  • Range of weight loss for men in one year after surgery: 98-242 pounds (depending on initial weight)
  • 95% possibility of improvement or resolution of diabetes
  • Safety results better than the national average
  • Expected length of hospital stay of 1 day for more than 80% of our patients regardless of the procedure you choose. Our length of stay is among the top 1% in USA.
  • 40% to 60% expected reduction in medications for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol within a year after your surgery

Martin Walko, MD, FASMBS

  • Board Certified Surgeon
  • Fellowship trained in Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Over 20 years of surgical experience

Elana Davidson, PA-C, Bariatric Clinical Administrator

  • Over 33 years of surgical experience as a Physician Assistant, including general, gynecologic laparoscopic, plastic, and bariatric surgery.
  • Has assisted in more than 700 bariatric surgery procedures
  • Bilingual Spanish speaker

Michael Bell, PA-C

Over 20 years of surgical experience as a Physician Assistant, including general, laparoscopic and cardiac cases.


Christina Reardon, RD, LDN, CSOWM

  • Bachelor’s degree and postgraduate training through University of Massachusetts – included training in weight management 
  • Registered dietitian specializing in bariatrics and weight management since 2019. 
  • Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management

Maria Michelakis Cintron, LMHC

  • Over 15 years’ experience as mental health clinician with a special focus on weight management

Please click here to return to the Weight Management Program.

  • a+
Learn more: