The decision to have weight loss surgery is an important one. Equally important is choosing a bariatric surgery program. The most important component to ensuring a quality program is appropriately trained surgeons.
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS)
Center of Excellence criteria, the surgeons must be certified by
the American Board of Surgery, spend at least 51 percent of their
time in the field, and perform more than 50 bariatric surgical
cases per year. Missouri Bariatric Service's surgical team not only meets these
criteria, but is one of the top bariatric surgery teams in the nation.
Roger de la Torre, MD
Dr. de la Torre is internationally recognized as a leader in laparoscopic surgery. He has been invited to hospitals and universities throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America to lecture and perform various laparoscopic operations. He holds more than 40 patents worldwide for surgical devices. Dr. de la Torre has performed more than 3,000 bariatric procedures and has published articles in surgical journals and laparoscopic textbooks regarding the techniques he helped develop. Dr. de la Torre's clinical and research interests include bariatric surgery, biliary tract surgery, colon surgery, eating disorders, endoscopy, esophageal disorders, esophagus, gallbladder disease, gallstones, gastrointestinal disease, general surgery, hernia surgery, laparoscopy and laser surgery, metabolism/nutrition and surgery, minimally invasive surgery and nutrition.
Bruce Ramshaw, MD
Dr. Ramshaw earned his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL and completed his residency in general surgery at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Ramshaw served as Director of Education for Emory Endosurgery Unit and Director of the Emory Hernia Institute prior to coming to the University of Missouri. Dr. Ramshaw also teaches nationally and international minimally invasive/laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Ramshaw is on the Board of Governors for the American Hernia Society. Dr. Ramshaw's clinical and research interests include bariatric surgery, colon cancer, colon surgery, endoscopy, esophageal disorders, esophagus, gallbladder disease, gallstones, gastrointestinal cancer, gastrointestinal disease, general surgery, hernia surgery, laparoscopy, liver surgery, minimally invasive surgery, pancreatic surgery, rectal cancer, religion/spirituality in medicine and swallowing difficulties.
Archana Ramaswamy, MD
Dr. Ramaswamy earned her medical degree and completed her residency in general surgery at McGill University Medical School in Quebec, Canada. She performed her fellowship training in laparoscopic surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Ramaswamy's clinical and research interests include bariatric surgery, cancer screening, colon and rectum cancer, colon surgery, colonoscopy, endoscopy, esophageal disorders and surgery, gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal cancer, hernia surgery, and stomach cancer.
Nicole Fearing, MD
Dr. Fearing earned her medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks and completed her residency at the University of Wichita. She is board certified in surgery and completed her fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic general surgery at the University of Texas in Houston. Dr. Fearing's clinical and research interests include colonoscopy, endoscopy, esophageal disorders, gallbladder disease, laparoscopy, minimally invasive surgery, bariatric surgery and surgery of the biliary tract, colon, hernia, liver and pancreas.
Our nurses, dietitians, physical therapists and counselors have
also received special training in bariatrics. You'll have the opportunity
to meet team members at the educational seminar. These trusted individuals
are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way.
