Weight Loss Surgery
Since it began in 1999, the bariatric surgery program at FirstHealth has helped nearly 2,000 patients to lose weight and restore active healthy lives.
OverviewDownload Brochure
FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and Pinehurst Surgical have established a comprehensive Bariatric Surgical Program in the mid-Carolinas. The award-winning program, recognized as a Center of Excellence by Optum and a Blue Distinction Center + for Bariatric Surgery by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, is staffed by an interdisciplinary team who provide quality education and support, before and after surgery.
The program offers Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy surgical approaches to significant weight loss and maintenance for those suffering from morbid obesity. Both surgeries are performed laparoscopically, and can also be performed with the assistance of a robotic system. At FirstHealth, we believe it's important to provide safe & effective care. The Department of Surgery tracks many performance measures and compares them to the national data. At the following links, you can view some of these measures.
- Patient Ratings of Bariatric Surgeons Chart
- Laparoscopic Bariatric Outcomes Chart
- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Outcomes Graph
- Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Outcomes Graph
- Laparoscopic Bariatric Outcomes Graph
MANDATORY INFORMATION SESSION
Complete our mandatory weight loss surgery information session to learn more about the benefits of having bariatric surgery, surgical treatment options, hear from our bariatric surgeons, and more.
All Weight Loss Services
Read more about the comprehensive services that make FirstHealth's bariatric program one of the best.
Patient Experiences
Janet Matias
Janet Matias had weight-loss surgery in August of 2020, and since then she's lost 116 pounds and no longer needs any medication.
Learn More
Frank & Alicia Norton
The Nortons started to consider weight-loss surgery during a family Thanksgiving meal a couple of years ago when they observed the greatly improved appearance of a relative they later learned had had a bariatric procedure.
Hear from the Nortons
Iris Davis
Iris Davis, a 55-year-old Moore County resident, has struggled with weight her entire life – until now.
Hear from Iris
Eric Baker
Meet Eric Baker, 49-year-old Seven Lakes resident. Listen as Eric talks about his struggle with weight, failed diets and why he opted to have weight-loss surgery here at the FirstHealth Bariatric Center.
Hear from Eric
Bill & Yvonne Dixon
Finding the right support to find their healthy weight. For one couple, "It's a whole new world!"
2015 Celebration of Success
Several dozen people whose lives have been changed by weight-loss surgery were joined by relatives and members of their FirstHealth weight-loss surgery team in celebrating their new health status during the Second Annual “Celebrate Your Success” celebration.
Jamie Waldschmidt
Prior to weight-loss surgery, Jamie Waldschmidt suffered from high blood pressure, acid reflux and an overall lack of energy. With the support of her family, she decided it was time to make her health a priority, and she chose weight-loss surgery at FirstHealth. Since the surgery, Jamie's health has drastically improved. Hear more of her story.
Dr. Ronald Kader
After years of struggling with weight, Dr. Ronald Kader, an emergency room physician, opts for weight-loss surgery at Moore Regional.
Learn more
Mark Rhyne
Watch as Volonda Calloway from My Carolina today interviews weight-loss surgery patient, Mark Rhyne & bariatric surgeon, Dr. Raymond Washington.
Danielle Boykin
Danielle chose to have the gastric sleeve surgery so she could lose weight, feel healthy, and have the opportunity to play and have fun with her kids in the evenings after work instead of being tired every night after work and just sitting on the couch.
Exercise is Medicine
Physical activity is essential to successful weight-loss. The FirstHealth Fitness Exercise is Medicine program is available to teach weight-loss surgery patients the importance of exercise and assist in establishing an exercise program.
Before and After Photographs
Check out these amazing before and after photos that were shared by FirstHealth weight-loss surgery patients.
View Photos
What our Patients are Saying
We asked some of our patients how having weight-loss surgery has changed their lives. Here is what they had to say.
Read MoreInnovation and Treatment
View Entire Team Meet our Medical Professionals
Board Certified
Raymond G. Washington, Jr., M.D.
General/Bariatric Surgeon
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic
Specialties
- General Surgery
- Bariatric Surgery
Hospital Affiliation
- Moore Regional Hospital
Training
- M.D., Medical College of Virginia
Internship & Residency
- Christiana Care Health System, Del.
Board Certified
David W. Grantham, M.D.
General/Bariatric Surgeon
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic
Specialties
- General Surgery
- Bariatric Surgery
Hospital Affiliation
- Moore Regional Hospital
Training
- M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Fellowship
- Laporoscopic & Advanced Gastroenterology Surgery, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, N.C.
Internship & Residency
- Wake Forest University, N.C.
Christi Embler, BSN, R.N., CBN
Bio
Christi Embler earned a B.S. degree in communication with a minor in marketing from Appalachian State University and worked in the marketing industry before deciding to become a nurse. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Sandhills Community College in 2010 and a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2015 from ASU.
Embler serves as the program manager for the Bariatric Center. She previously worked as the nursing liaison for the Bariatric Center and a floor nurse on First Surgical, the nursing unit where patients are cared for after bariatric surgery.
Embler recently earned the title of Certified Bariatric Nurse from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
