- Offices in
- Millburn
- Toms River
- Areas of Practice:
- Bariatric Medicine/Surgery
- Weight Control
Garden State Bariatrics and Wellness Center (GSBWC)
Leading-edge knowledge, expert credentials and five-star service… that’s what differentiates Garden State Bariatrics from all others. Our small, boutique-style office provides a warm and comforting atmosphere. Every team member knows every patient, which allows us to provide personalized attention throughout the weight loss experience.
Garden State Bariatrics is an accredited MBSAQIP center. The most prestigious and meaningful designation for bariatric surgery, MBSAQIP signifies that GSBWC was rigorously evaluated and meets the highest standard of quality for safety, training, follow-up and surgical volume standards.
Two of the top bariatric surgeons in NJ, Dr. Michael Bilof and Dr. Basil Yurcisin are senior members of the bariatric community, were trained at the top programs in the nation and participate in research studies to keep current in their field. Both doctors are board certified surgeons specializing in bariatric surgery. Drs. Bilof and Yurcisin have directly impacted thousands of patients’ lives and contributed to the dramatic reduction or elimination of serious medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease GERD, infertility, osteoarthritis to name a few.
Michael Bilof, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S.
In 2003 he left his busy, successful vascular practice and was retrained in the specialty of general surgery, bariatrics. (Dr. Bilof likes to say that while some folks may feel surgery is surgery – being retrained in bariatrics is likened to going from hip surgery to brain surgery training). Dr. Bilof has been 100% bariatrics since 2003 and has never been happier.
- Medical School
- UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
- Residency, General Surgery
- St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
- Chief Resident, General Surgery
- St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
- Fellowship, Vascular Surgery
- North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY
- Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- General Surgery
- St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, N.J.
- Deborah Heart & Lung, Browns Mills, NJ
- Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ
- Kimball Medical Center Lakewood, NJ
- Accredited MBSAQIP practice
- Former Section Chief for the Bariatric MBSAQIP Program – Barnabas Health Livingston, NJ
- American College of Surgeons – Fellow
- ASMBS – Fellow
- Patient’s Choice Award –2009-present
- Multiple year award winner – NJ Monthly Top Doctor
- NJ Monthly Top Doc 2013 featured on cover and in bariatric article
- Consumers’ Research Council of America’s Top Surgeons – 2008-2010
- Former Vice President – NJ Chapter of American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS)
- American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS)
- New Jersey Medical Society
Basil Yurcisin, II, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S.
While Dr. Yurcisin’s training is world-class and his experience impeccable, Dr. Yurcisin has a warm and generous bedside manner; a compassion and openness with all of his patients and the ability to support patients with every facet of their medical needs (if he cannot help – he finds someone who can).
- Medical School
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
- Residency, General Surgery
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
- Chief Resident, General Surgery
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
- Fellowship, Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery
- General Surgery
- Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, N.J.
- Deborah Heart & Lung, Browns Mills, NJ
- Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ
- Accredited MBSAQIP practice
- SAGES Resident Achievement Award 2005 & 2007
- American College of Surgeons – Fellow
- ASMBS – Fellow
- SAGES/CAGS Karl Storz/IRCAD Traveling Fellowship Award for 12th World Congress
- NJ Monthly Top Doc 2013 featured on cover and in bariatric article
- New Jersey Medical Society
- American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS)
- American Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS)
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)- Technical Committee Member
Bariatric surgery is a life changing decision. The GSBWC team devotes hours to each patient to make sure they understand the different bariatric procedure options. After a thorough examination, a review of medical history and a thoughtful discussion of weight loss goals, lifestyle and expectations, Drs. Bilof and Yurcisin will recommend a treatment. GSBWC makes sure each patient is knowledgeable about medical weight loss surgery and which option is best for them.
For additional information, check out the GSBWC podcast, “Winning Through Losing,” available through iTunes, IHeart Radio, and the Garden State Bariatrics website. Winning Through Losing provides listeners with valuable tips, suggestions and information regarding bariatric care.
Surgical Procedures
SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
The stomach is surgically altered from 32 ounces to 8-10 ounces (the size of a banana), restricting food consumption. A chemical/hormonal effect significantly reduces appetite for a prolonged period of time after surgery (1-3 years).
GASTRIC BYPASS
The stomach is reduced from 32 ounces to about 2 ounces. The intestines are rerouted and reattached to the new, smaller stomach. The absorption of food is decreased by the change in the intestinal path.
DUODENAL SWITCH
Restriction of food intake occurs by surgically removing 85% of the stomach. The small intestine is rearranged to separate the flow of food from the flow of bile and pancreatic juices decreasing absorption.
REVIONAL BARIATRIC SURGERY
For patients who have had complications from previous bariatric surgery or have not successfully achieved significant weight loss results, Dr. Bilof and Dr. Yurcisin are two of the few bariatric surgeons in NJ who are qualified and trained in revisional procedures.
RESHAPE DUAL BALLOON
A soft, intragastric device that is inserted into the stomach and filled with saline. The expanded balloon reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold, making you feel fuller faster. The ReShape Balloon is temporary and removed after six months.
Fax: 973-218-1104
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (one Saturday a month)
Sunday: Closed
Fax: (973) 286-7616
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (every other Friday)
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (every other Saturday)
Sunday: Closed
The complexities of health insurance can be stressful for patients. GSBWC takes the anxiety and mystery away from the patient by completing the legwork for them. GSBWC will handle communications with the insurance companies to verify the complete details of each policy as it relates to bariatric surgery, follow-up care and ongoing support.
Request a free insurance benefit check.
My decision to have bariatric surgery saved my life. I have my health back!!!! I’m no longer suffering from hypertension, sleep apnea or borderline diabetic. And eventually I’ll be able to start my family. That means the world to me!
Before my surgery, I was not able to do any of what people think are everyday activities such as walking into any store and finding my size, sitting in a chair without fear of it breaking. The biggest “win” for me is being able to walk more than a few steps without needing to take a break because I’m tired or have serious back pain.
My life has changed in so many amazing ways and they can all be attributed to my weight loss. The biggest difference is the way people look at me. I have been passed up for jobs and looked through by women. Since my weight loss, I can take pride in myself which allows others to do so as well. I’ve started a great career at an accounting firm and I’m going out and trying new things every day. The decision to take control of my life was the best I could have made and I’m thankful every day.
My energy level is through the roof! I can’t believe I want to exercise either. I love walking and jogging and I’m so active with my son’s now! It’s such an incredible feeling to love life again and have the energy to do anything and everything!
Without medication, my cholesterol levels are at the low end of normal and I am now on the lowest dosage of my blood pressure medication. There is no trace of sleep apnea, and I haven’t had to take any pain medication for my arthritic knees in the last eight months. I continue to prepare most of my own meals and to work out; I am now able to complete a 5-mile run or play tennis for hours without pain.
My confidence in my relationship, my life and career has shot through the roof and I am more determined than ever to be the best person I can be.