After a short hiatus, the Backus Center for Surgical Weight Loss is again accepting patients with the arrival of general surgeon Ricardo Young, MD.

With advanced training in bariatric, robotic and endoscopic surgery, Young comes to Backus Hospital from the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a general surgeon for almost a decade. He also served as chief of General Surgery Services at Fort Hood and, while on voluntary deployment, as chief of surgery in Tallil, Iraq.

Young earned his medical degree from Michigan State College and served a residency in general surgery through the Army in Georgia. He completed a surgical fellowship in surgical endoscopy, bariatrics and robotics at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a fellow in the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.

While at Fort Hood, Young chaired the Provision of Care Commission and Committee on Cancer and has published articles on the repair of abdominal wall hernias. He is certified as an instructor of advanced cardiac life support and advanced trauma life support.

The Backus Center for Surgical Weight Loss offers the following minimally-invasive surgical options for patients struggling with obesity:

  • Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
  • Gastric bypass

All patients undergo pre-surgical assessment to determine if surgery is appropriate for them. Candidates for surgery must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40, greater than 35 with obesity-related health conditions, or greater than 30 in some patients.
  • Absence of psychiatric illness that would impair judgment.
  • No smoking or alcohol or drug abuse.

Bariatric surgery produces dramatic results. Patients lose an average of 40 percent to 70 percent of their total weight over one to four years, which means health improvements throughout their lives.

The Backus Center for Surgical Weight Loss is at 330 Washington St., Suite 410, in Norwich. Referrals can be made by calling 860.425.8740. An information session is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 3-5 p.m., in main lobby conference rooms 2 and 3 at Backus. Registration is required.