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Bariatric Surgery & Comprehensive Obesity Management Program
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Renowned specialists by your side, every step of the way
GBMC's Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP) understands that bariatric surgery requires a lifelong commitment and offers a variety of support services to help patients before, during and after their procedures. Preoperative nutrition classes, postoperative support groups, and a walking group (COMP Stomp) are just a few. All of our surgeons are specialty trained in both minimally invasive bariatric and general surgery.
As an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Quality Partner, we’re committed to the highest standards of surgical care. We have earned national recognition as a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). MBSAQIP is a comprehensive, nationwide surgical quality program aimed at ensuring the safe and effective performance of metabolic and bariatric surgery. Surgical outcomes focus on weight loss and the treatment of obesity-related diseases, like diabetes, sleep apnea, and others. Research shows accredited centers experience lower complications, and better outcomes than that of non-accredited facilities. Additionally, our program is only one of eleven Blue Distinction Centers+ in Maryland, which recognizes us for our expertise and efficiency in delivering bariatric care. COMP has been the recipient of the Healthgrades Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award recognizing our superior patient outcomes in bariatric surgery since 2021, and we are also an Optum Center of Excellence.
In 2025, 240 bariatric surgeries were performed at GBMC. Of those surgeries, 98% had no intraoperative or postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery. 87% of patients went home the day after surgery.
Jana Wolff, RD, LDN, CSOWM
Director of Nutrition
Jana became the lead dietitian of the GBMC COMP team in July 2016. She received her Bachelor’s degree in both Nutrition Sciences and Communications and completed her dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins, before becoming a Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management. Jana has always been interested in the unique role that food plays in every patient’s life. Jana’s favorite part of her job is running support groups and guiding patients to achieve their goals. In her spare time, she loves cooking with her husband and spending time with friends and family.
Summer L. Esslinger, MSN, CRNP, CBN
Nurse Practitioner
Summer joined the Comprehensive Obesity Management Program in 2016. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2009. She worked as a registered nurse in General Surgery post-operative care for seven years until she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing through the University of Delaware’s Family Nurse Practitioner program in 2016.
Summer is an exam Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) through the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine through the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA).
In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, documentaries, listening to podcasts, true crime, eating out, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Summer was awarded GBMC's 2025 Advanced Practitioner of the Year Award and was nominated for 2025 Compassionate Caregiver Award.
Melissa Bearekman, PA-C, CHC
Physicians Assistant
Melissa joined the C.O.M.P. Team in May of 2022. She has been a Physician Assistant since 2010 and attended PA School at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. Melissa joined the Bariatric Surgery Department to be able to form closer relationships with her patients and to help them achieve their health and weight loss goals. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine through the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). She enjoys providing education to patients and watching them succeed at things that they didn’t know were possible. On her days off, Melissa recharges by spending time with her husband, 2 children and golden retriever.
Madison Tran, MSPH, RDN, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Madison joined the COMP team in June 2022. She was born in San Diego, California and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Physiological Science at University of California Los Angeles. After graduation, she traveled to Hawaii and New Zealand to learn about farming practices, nutrition, and sustainability. Madison moved to Baltimore to complete her dietetic internship and Masters program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, hiking with her dog, watching Ravens games, and running!
Samantha Broadwick, BSN RN
MBS Coordinator and MBSCR
Samantha joined GBMC COMP in November 2020 as the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Coordinator and Clinical Reviewer. She is a graduate of the Villa Julie College, now Stevenson University, nursing program. Samantha has over 10 years of nursing experience in a variety of different fields including emergency medicine, telemetry, urology and outpatient surgery. She is CPR, ACLS and PALS certified. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting wineries, cooking and reading.
Our Services
Through our program, individuals will have access to:
- Private Facebook support group
- Regular appointments with a registered dietitian to prepare for surgery and adjust to post-surgery lifestyle and nutrition
- Exercise and diet programs
- Our top bariatric surgeons perform gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and revisional surgery, using laparoscopic and robotic techniques
- Bariatric support groups before and after surgery
- Medical Weight Loss Program
Surgical Options
Bariatric surgery is minimally invasive, which can be laparoscopic or robotic. Laparoscopic/Robotic surgery results in fewer post-operative complications and pain and allows for an earlier return of bowel function.
Most of the stomach is sealed off using a band or surgical staples, except for a small pouch, which is then connected to the middle of the small intestine. The new connection bypasses the bottom portion of the stomach and top portion of the small intestine. This method works by restricting the intake of food well as preventing the body from absorbing all of the food eaten (malabsorption). It is the most common and offers the best weight loss of all of the surgery options.
Most of the stomach is removed and the remaining portion is a long tube or "sleeve." The basic anatomy of the digestive system does not change. This procedure reduces complications, decreases the risk of vitamin deficiencies and produces comparable weight loss to that of other types of bariatric surgery.
Meet with our team from anywhere in Maryland!
Schedule a private, 1-on-1, in-person or virtual consultation with our surgeons now!
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