About Us

HISTORY Bergen Bariatric and Laparoscopic Associates was created with a dedication to minimally invasive surgery and specifically laparoscopic weight loss surgery. Drs. Ibrahim and Strain have had extensive experience and training in this field and remain active members in the evolving field of minimally invasive weight loss surgery. MISSION To provide personalized and comprehensive care to the morbidly obese in our community with attention to the continuing evolution and treatment of not only the surgical but the medical, physical and psychosocial components of obesity.

RECOGNITION

Surgeons are active members of multiple medical societies including:

Fellows of the American College of Surgeons

Board Certified by the American College of Surgeons

American Society of Bariatric Surgeons

Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

Voted one of New Jersey’s "Top Docs" for obesity and minimally invasive surgery.

Our Staff

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, MD FACS

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim was graduated from NYU Medical School in 1966. He underwent his surgery residency and vascular fellowship at NYU. Since then he has been in private practice at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Ibrahim is one of the pioneers in minimally invasive surgery in Northern New Jersey. He became interested in laparoscopic bariatric surgery when the tremendous benefits this modality offers to the obese population became evident. He is a national and international instructor in minimally invasive surgery and Head of the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at Englewood Hospital.

Dr. Ibrahim is a long standing member of ASMBS and SAGES, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. He is board certified in General and Vascular Surgery and voted one of New Jersey’s Top Docs for Obesity and Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Dr. Ibrahim has authored and co-authored over 100 articles, movies, videos and lectures.

"I believe every patient needs and should get the personal attention they deserve.
With weight loss surgery we make lifelong commitments to our patients.
We become friends for life."

Jeffrey W. Strain, MD FACS

Dr. Strain completed both medical school and residency in Cleveland Ohio at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. Upon completion of his residency in General Surgery, he undertook a fellowship "down under" in Perth Australia in Endocrine Surgery. He returned to the United States where he was a clinical fellow in laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine with Dr. Jeffrey Milsom. This was followed by additional training in Bariatric Surgery in Illinois. Dr. Strain has spent the last decade devoting his practice to minimally invasive and Bariatric Surgery. He has a strong interest in metabolic and revisional weight loss surgery. With an extensive experience with the lap band, the laparoscopic gastric bypass and the laparoscopic sleeve Gastrectomy, he strives to work with patients to find the best available operations to meet their needs. He is proud to offer a comprehensive program for surgical weight loss at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

Lana Leybman, RN

Information in development, please check back soon.

Darian McLeod, Office Manager

Our goal at the center is to provide excellent surgical care with courteous professional service. We strongly believe that each morbidly obese patient deserves a chance for a healthier and more enjoyable life.

Our mission is to help every patient that walks through our door to reach this goal, even if surgery is not an option.

Mission statement: "We treat all our patients the way we would like to be treated, we are all patients at one point"

Sheera R. Margolies, LCSW

We have discovered that the psychological aspect of Bariatric Surgery is extremely important as many of you have struggled with low self-esteem, depression, body image distortions and other complicated psychological issues.  The possibility of the desire (urge) to eat may arise post operatively and you may feel compelled to engage in old behaviors such as turning to food for comfort or to self-soothe.

We will be providing a multi-disciplinary support program that will assist you in achieving your goals.  We will present alternatives for relief from the emotional aspects of over eating and encourage a holistic recovery of body, mind and spirit.  Ongoing support will take place in an environment that fosters the development of ongoing relationships with others who struggle with similar feelings and issues.  These relationships will not only provide support but a shared perspective which will help you to discover new and different ways of coping and becoming more comfortable with yourself.  An additional benefit of the group is to help you feel less isolated, lonely and ashamed.  Our ultimate goal is to help you feel more hopeful and to achieve balance in body, mind and spirit.

Suzanne Yachechak, R.D.

Suzanne is the nutritionist with the Bergen Laparoscopy and Bariatric Associates.

Registered Dietitian with the American Dietetic Association, 35 years experience counseling patients for weight loss/weight management and other health issues (Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Digestive Disorders, Eating Disorders, Otosclerosis).

Working in conjunction with the doctors and the psychologist, Suzanne provides the nutritional evaluation and counseling for the patients (candidates) in all stages of the bariatric process. Her work both complements and supplements the surgery itself by educating the patients in the behavioral and dietary changes necessary for long term weight management.

She is also available for counseling in non-bariatric health and weight issues.

William Boss, MD (Plastic & Reconstructive)

Information in development, please check back soon.