New Jersey's Top Bariatric Doctors

NJ’s Top Bariatric Surgeons are at the New Jersey Bariatric Center®

New Jersey Bariatric Center®'s team of fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons, Dr. Ajay Goyal, Dr. James Buwen and Dr. Michael Fastiggi, in conjunction with our physician assistants, registered dietitians, psychologist and support staff, will expertly guide you through your weight loss journey. Our team of weight loss surgeons have performed more than 12,000 surgeries but you are never just a number to us. Each patient is treated as an individual. Through this approach NJ’s top bariatric surgeons at New Jersey Bariatric Center® have achieved a complication rate that is lower than the national average.

New Jersey Bariatric Center’s® team of four bariatric fellowship-trained surgeons, physician assistants, registered dietitians, counselors and support staff expertly guide you through your weight loss journey. Through our multidisciplinary approach we’ve achieved a complication rate that is lower than the national average, and zero mortalities.

Bariatric Surgeons at the New Jersey Bariatric Center

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Surgical Team

Registered Dietitians

Registered Dietitians

Counselor

Patient Navigators

Patient Engagement

Surgical Team

New Jersey’s Top 10 Bariatric Surgeons for Weight Loss

New Jersey Bariatric Center®’s weight loss and bariatric surgeons are board certified in General Surgery with fellowship training in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery. Led by founder Dr. Ajay Goyal, one of New Jersey’s top weight loss doctors, the bariatric surgeon team has successfully performed thousands of surgical weight loss procedures during the past 20 years, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, gastric revision and LAP-BAND®.

Registered Dietitians

The bariatric-focused registered dietitians at New Jersey Bariatric Center® play a vital role in your weight loss journey. Both medical and surgical weight loss patients meet with a registered dietitian at their first appointment and they are available to help you throughout your weight loss journey and beyond. They will set dietary goals and be there for follow-up before and after surgery. After weight loss goals are reached, bariatric dietitians offer support and guidance to keep patients on the path of good health.

Dana Babeu, RD

Registered Dietitian

Registered dietitian Dana Babeu provides nutrition counseling on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Springfield location. She has experience working with patients on issues related to weight management, food allergies and sensitivities, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, disordered eating and metabolic syndrome. Dana’s passion is partnering with patients to create holistic, goal-oriented, individualized plans to improve health and achieve a better quality of life. Dana graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Montclair State University and completed a dietetic internship with ARAMARK. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the New Jersey Dietetic Association and Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. When she’s not at work, Dana can be found playing at the park with her daughter, cooking or practicing her headstands.

Karen Kelly, RD

Registered Dietitian

Registered dietitian Karen Kelly is available for nutrition counseling every Tuesday in our Springfield and Hoboken location. She is a graduate of Ohio State University and the College of Saint Elizabeth where she received her registered dietitian degree. Karen found her true calling by helping people make better nutrition choices to improve their health. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the New Jersey Dietetic Association, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Nutrition in Complementary Care as well as Sports and Cardiovascular Nutrition.

Clarissa Padua, RD

Registered Dietitian

Clarissa is a registered dietitian who provides nutritional counseling for bariatric and medical weight loss patients. She has extensive experience in fitness and health education and is a certified personal trainer and specialist in fitness nutrition with certifications from ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association). Clarissa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Montclair State University where she also completed her dietetic internship. She is consistently motivated to assist others to achieve their goals to lead a healthier lifestyle. When she’s not at work, you can find Clarissa in the gym, DJing at events, recording mixtapes, or spending time with family and friends. She is also a former Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts fighter in which she has fought and trained both internationally and in the states.

Licensed Professional Counselor

The physical change that accompanies bariatric surgery is just one part of a successful approach to surgical weight loss. Patients who see the best results go through a mental change as well. Bariatric surgery patients learn to develop a whole new relationship with food and find ways to overcome the obstacles that have blocked past attempts at weight loss.

New Jersey Bariatric Center® understands this and provides a licensed professional counselor who is trained in the treatment of the bariatric patient. At any time in the pre- and post-surgery process, patients are encouraged to use this valuable resource to help them along their weight loss journey.

Patient Navigators

At New Jersey Bariatric Center©, we recognize how overwhelming it can feel when you begin the surgical weight loss process. Every patient is teamed with an experienced patient navigator who understands the ins and outs of the bariatric surgery process – both the clinical and the insurance aspects. Navigators provide individualized support throughout the pre-surgical process, coordinating the efforts of our interdisciplinary team to ensure that all clinical and insurance requirements are met.. They are available to answer questions and provide support ensuring your path to surgery is as smooth as possible.

Debbie Zepeda

Patient Navigator

Debbie Zepeda came to New Jersey Bariatric Center® in 2014 as a medical receptionist. Her keen attention to detail, personable manner and patient-care skills led to her current position as a patient navigator. She finds satisfaction in helping patients through their weight loss journey.

Catherine Jiron

Patient Navigator

Catherine joined the New Jersey Bariatric Center® as a medical assistant in 2016. She quickly advanced to the position of patient navigator. She is detail-oriented, personable and dedicated to her work. She enjoys being a part of each and every patient’s weight loss success.

Patricia Abrantes

Patient Navigator

Patricia started with New Jersey Bariatric Center in 2019 as a patient service representative. Her desire to provide excellent patient care led to her current position as Patient Navigator. She is dedicated to helping every patient be successful in their journey, and finds joy in seeing patients achieve their goals.

Patient Engagement

Studies show that patients who are actively involved in their own healthcare tend to become healthier.

At New Jersey Bariatric Center we provide resources to engage patients while on their weight loss journey. From staff that ensure our patient needs are met to live webinars, private community groups, support groups, exercise, yoga classes and bariatric updates are some of the ways our engagement team supports patients.

Issa Burton

Vice President of Marketing

Issa oversees the comprehensive digital marketing strategy and patient engagement initiatives at New Jersey Bariatric Center®, leveraging cutting-edge technology including AI tools to develop innovative campaigns that connect with patients seeking weight loss surgery, medical weight loss treatments and general surgery throughout New Jersey. Since joining New Jersey Bariatric Center® in 2019, Issa has demonstrated outstanding leadership in launching and growing our Medical Weight Loss (MWL) practice, transforming our digital presence through data-driven content strategies, SEO-optimized patient education materials, and strategic social media campaigns. Her oversight of the patient ambassador program has empowered successful weight loss patients to share their transformative stories, creating authentic connections that inspire others to begin their weight loss journey. Drawing from her unique experience in health technology—including pioneering work with virtual reality to educate patients on diabetes and hypertension, two diseases prevalent in the bariatric community—Issa brings deep understanding of patient needs and healthcare innovation. Her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Marketing focus, combined with her healthcare technology background, positions her as an expert in developing marketing programs that truly resonate with potential audiences. In her spare time, Issa enjoys hosting events with family and friends and coordinating endless sporting activities with her husband and children.

Kristen Williams

Senior Marketing Communications Associate

Kristen Williams joined the marketing team at New Jersey Bariatric Center® in 2019. She is responsible for coordinating, creating and implementing day-to-day marketing and communication activities including blogs, patient seminars, webinars, social media and more. Kristen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition with minors in Public Health and Psychology from Montclair State University. Her skillset helps to develop communication content that is essential to bariatric patients. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys taking hot yoga classes and cooking healthy foods.

Jessica Gonzalez

Office Manager

With 15 years in healthcare operations, Jessica excels at optimizing medical operations, enhancing team performance, and driving process improvements across diverse settings. She has consistently managed medical teams effectively while maintaining high-quality patient care and operational efficiency. Jessica coordinates multidisciplinary teams, implements evidence-based protocols, and leverages technology to streamline workflows. Her expertise includes budget management, regulatory compliance, resource allocation, and patient satisfaction. Having worked in urgent care, specialty, and primary care facilities, Jessica focuses on fostering collaboration, reducing costs, and improving clinical outcomes. Her strategic vision and hands-on leadership approach have established her as a trusted partner in advancing healthcare operations.

See What Patients Say About NJ's Top Bariatric Doctors

Gregg Torre

"I’m 16 months post op and couldn’t be happier with my decision to choose NJBC for my gastric sleeve surgery. From the first day I walked in to my most recent visit the support I receive from Dr Buwen, Clarissa and the entire staff is fantastic. i’m so thankful for the ongoing support, information and advise. This has helped me make smart decisions with everything from food choices, meal prep, and exercising that all contribute to my success. This is the best thing I’ve done for myself. Thank you Springfield NJBC!"

G Peña

"I can't say enough good things about this place. The bedside manners are tip notch, Dr. Goyal is just a caring and wonderful doctor. I've been seeing him since 2017. Referred my own son to him and other family and friends. His coordinator Jen Crespo is always available to answer any questions I have. Just want to Thank her and the staff for an amazing job."

Carlaiah Jackson

"My experience with NJBC has been great! I started my process in July and everyone was so friendly and attentive. Appointment were quick and straight to the point. Clarissa and Karen the nutritionist were very helpful and sweet. Jennifer my coordinator was on top of things from the beginning! Most of my countless were booked at my very first visit. Finally Dr. Buwen did an amazing job on my surgery. I’ve healed beautifully and was will taken care of in the hospital. I’ve lost 53 Ibs in 3 months!"

Mark Middleton

"Dr. Goyal and his team are the best! I couldn’t be happier with the consultation, surgery and follow-up. I lost over half my excess weight in the first month and have pretty effortlessly kept it off. My waist went from 42 to 36 and I feel so much more healthy. Plus, I got off blood pressure medication. Highly recommend!"

Jernienne George

"Friendly staff. Prompt responses. I had the gastric sleeve done. I started at 304 pounds and am currently 240. Four months post op. No side effects. Recovery was smooth. No regrets. Thank you!"

Weight Loss Treatments

Learn more about the bariatric surgery and medical weight loss options that medical experts agree are the best chance for sustainable weight loss if you suffer from obesity.

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass helps you lose weight by creating a smaller stomach pouch and rerouting the path that food normally takes so you feel full faster and eat less.

Gastric Sleeve

The sleeve gastrectomy helps you lose weight by reducing the size of your stomach so you eat less and feel full faster.

Medical Weight Loss

Prescription weight loss medications work by decreasing hunger while simultaneously increasing feelings of satiety, leading to reduced food intake and overall absorption of calories.