Collin E. Brathwaite, MD

A significant portion of my practice as an NYU Langone general surgeon is dedicated to weight loss surgery for patients with severe obesity. These patients may have type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and other obesity-related conditions that surgery may help resolve.

I also perform surgery to treat diseases of the small intestines, colon, and upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. I see patients with gallbladder disease, hiatal hernias resulting in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or acid reflux), other types of hernias, gastroparesis, achalasia, duodenal and stomach ulcers, conditions involving the spleen, and abdominal wall defects.

The surgeries I perform are often complex. These include the Nissen fundoplication and the LINX procedure, which involves placing a set of magnetic beads around the junction of the esophagus and stomach to prevent acid reflux and other symptoms related to hiatal hernia.

My desire to pursue a career in medicine began at age 7, after reading about the missionary Dr. David Livingstone, who went to Africa. In medical school, I decided to pursue a career in general surgery after observing a professor–mentor who was a leader in surgery innovation in the United States. I was drawn to the specialty because it provides the opportunity to dramatically improve a patient’s life beyond treating conditions with medications.

At NYU Langone, we can offer patients vast robotic surgery experience and a reputation for excellent outcomes. I am honored to be a part of the team. Our program has always been in the forefront of innovations and new developments in surgery. For instance, we were the first to incorporate robotic surgery in bariatric and general surgery in the New York metropolitan area.

Our team also participated in the first peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)—a procedure done to treat swallowing disorders—to be performed in the United States. It’s one reason why we are ranked No. 4 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for gastroenterology and GI surgery. Many patients come to us after encountering problems after surgery elsewhere.

I am dedicated to doing my best for patients and treating each one as I would want myself or my family to be treated.