Your Partners on Your Journey

At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), our experienced bariatric surgeons are committed to providing the highest-quality care and transitional guidance to all patients as they begin their new lifestyle.

Our Team

Ragui W. Sadek, MD, FACS
Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick

Ragui W. Sadek, MD, FACS, is Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at RWJUH and Director of the Adolescent Metabolic and Bariatric Program at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH. A graduate of University of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine in Alexandria, Egypt, Dr. Sadek completed his residency and an Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, New York. He also completed a Surgical Critical Care and Trauma Fellowship at University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey.

Renowned as a top physician in his field by International Association of Health Care Professionals and as a Jersey Choice Top Doctor 2018 by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Dr. Sadek launched the Bariatric Surgery program at RWJUH where, prior to his arrival, weight loss surgery was not being performed. He is now the senior most minimally invasive bariatric surgeon utilizing cutting edge laparoscopic, robotic and bariatric surgery techniques.

Dr. Sadek is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He holds affiliations with the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastro Endoscopic Surgeons.

Happily married and the father of twins, Dr. Sadek enjoys playing soccer and tennis.

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Michael J. Donaire, MD
Bariatric and General Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick

Michael J. Donaire, MD, joined the RWJUH Bariatric Surgery Team in 2014. Dr. Donaire is a graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of Manhattan and residency in General Surgery at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He went on to complete the Bariatric and Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at the State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Donaire specializes in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic gastric banding, as well as other advanced minimally invasive and general surgery procedures.

With a Master of Public Health background, his philosophy on comprehensive care supports patients in their journey to a healthier life.

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Lora Melman, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Bariatric and General Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick

Lora Melman, MD, joined the RWJUH Bariatric Surgery Team in 2016. Dr. Melman is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her General Surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Melman became a Fellow in Advanced Laparoscopic GI Surgery & Bariatrics at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where she completed advanced training in minimally invasive treatment of hernias, bariatrics, foregut disorders, solid organ surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction.

Focusing on providing cutting-edge surgical care, Dr. Melman is a leader in Fast-Track Surgery/ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery)—a methodology to improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction while decreasing recovery times and narcotic medication requirements. She is also a nationally-recognized expert in Hernia Repair and Hernia Mesh. Her other areas of expertise include: repair of all types of abdominal wall, sports, and diaphragmatic hernias; treatment of reflux disease and esophageal dysmotility disorders; surgical weight loss for obesity; and minimal-access adrenalectomy and splenectomy.

Dr. Melman is widely published author of peer-reviewed literature on hernia mesh and biomaterials.

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Keith King, MD
Surgery-General

Keith J. King, MD is board-certified, fellowship-trained, and da Vinci certified bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon. Dr. King performs laparoscopic and robotic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair, surgery for severe acid reflux (GERD), as well as bariatric endoscopy. He has also published research and presented both nationally and internationally on robotic bariatric surgery, revisional bariatric surgery, endobariatrics, as well as GERD. Dr. King is an active member of the ASMBS and serves on the ASMBS General and Foregut Surgery Committee.

Dr. King grew up in Pennsylvania and went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He then came to New Jersey to complete his general surgery training at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School followed by fellowship training in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery at St. Luke’s University Health Network. Through his training and experience, Dr. King has developed a passion for a patient-centered, multidisciplinary team approach to helping patients who struggle with morbid obesity in their journey to a better, healthier life.

Dr. King enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, cycling, and playing the piano.

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Christopher Buchholz, DO

Surgery-Bariatric | Surgery-General

Christopher Buchholz, DO, MPH, is a board certified, fellowship trained robotic and laparoscopic bariatric and general surgeon. Dr. Buchholz performs the sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and minimally invasive general surgery procedures, including abdominal wall hernias, gallbladder surgery, anti-reflux procedures, and surgery for achalasia.Dr. Buchholz grew up in the Midwest attending Kansas City University of Medicine for medical school. He then moved to New Jersey to complete his general surgery training at St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Paterson. Having developed a passion for weight loss and foregut surgery, he then completed a bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowship at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack.While in training, he met his wife Lisa who is an ophthalmologist. Wanting to remain in New Jersey, Dr. Buchholz and his wife moved to the Jersey Shore. Dr. Buchholz enjoys spending time with his family including his daughter Layla and dog Penny. He also enjoys travelling, running, and playing golf and tennis.He truly enjoys and strives to develop a strong rapport with his patients early on to understand their goals – and to help guide them to maximum health and happiness.

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Claire Terez, MD

Surgery-Bariatric | Surgery-General

Claire Terez, MD is a board certified, fellowship trained laparoscopic and robotic bariatric and general surgeon. She grew up in New Jersey and obtained her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. She then remained at Rutgers-NJMS for her general surgery residency training followed by her fellowship training in Bariatric, Foregut and Advanced Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal surgery here at Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics under the direction of Dr. Ragui Sadek. She agreed to stay on as a full time surgeon and we are excited to welcome her as one of the newest members of our team.

Dr. Terez performs laparoscopic and robotic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, revisional bariatric surgery and surgery for severe acid reflux as well as numerous general surgery procedures such as hernia repair and cholecystectomy. She has published research and presented nationally on bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. She has a special interest in the use of weight loss medications and their application within the field of bariatric surgery. She truly enjoys helping patients meet both their weight loss goals and their non-scale victories.

Dr. Terez enjoys spending her free time with her family, including her husband and son James. Together they love relaxing at the Jersey Shore. She also enjoys yoga, pilates and doing DIY projects around their house.

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Karan Grover, MD

Surgery-Bariatric

Karan Grover, MD, PharmD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained robotic and laparoscopic general surgeon with a specialization in minimally invasive bariatric and foregut surgery. Dr.Grover performs sleeve gastrectomy, roux-en-y gastric bypass, revisional bariatric surgery,endoscopic procedures, anti-reflux procedures, and hernia repairs. Additionally, he offers medical weight loss treatment options to patients seeking alternatives to surgery. He received his doctorate in pharmacy at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University. He went on to study medicine at New Jersey Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ. He completed general surgery residency training through Rutgers Medical School working at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Jersey Shore University Hospital, and Princeton Medical Center. He went on to pursue a fellowship in minimally invasive bariatric and foregut surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Grover has written articles and book chapters on surgical education, robotic bariatric surgery, surgical expertise, and bariatric endoscopy. He has won teaching awards and served as the “education” chief resident. He is excited to merge his passions for teaching and bariatric surgery by educating patients on their weight loss options customized according to their personal goals.

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David J. You, MD

Surgery-Bariatric

David J. You, MD, PhD is a board-certified fellowship-trained, and da Vinci certified minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon. Dr. You performs laparoscopic and robotic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, revisional bariatric procedures, hiatal hernia and anti-reflux procedures, abdominal wall and pelvic hernias, gallbladder surgery, and endobariatrics. Dr. You grew up in Arizona, studying Biosystems Engineering at the University of Arizona with a strong interest in bioelectronics and medical devices. He would eventually earn his PhD in Biomedical Engineering and complete a post-doctoral fellowship including a faculty teaching position in biosensors and medical device design. Dr. You holds multiple patents, is well-published, and has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in biotech. This strong desire to be at the forefront of medical innovation is what led Dr. You to pursue a medical degree from Albany Medical College in New York. He then came to New Jersey to complete his general surgery training at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, followed by fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Northshore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. Dr. You’s engineering background allows a unique perspective into today’s world of rapidly advancing surgical technology and biomaterials. His philosophy is to provide the highest quality of care for his patients by adopting only the best technologies and techniques available.

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Lisa Siracusa, RPA-C
Registered Physician Assistant
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick

Lisa Siracusa, RPA-C, is a Board Certified, Registered Physician Assistant specializing in the field of minimally invasive surgery. Lisa is a graduate from Wagner College and Bayley Seton Hospital Physician Assistant program, both located in Staten Island, New York.

She has several years of experience in the surgical medical field. Before joining our team in 2013, Lisa was the senior PA in Staten Island University Hospital where her responsibilities included training surgical residents, assisting surgeons during surgery, and managing the surgical floor.

Lisa is an important member of RWJUH Bariatric Surgery Team. She is not only responsible for patient follow-up visits, but also assists Dr. Sadek in the operating room during surgery.

She is the mother of two boys, and enjoys kickboxing and jogging.