Obesity is a complex, chronic, treatable disease. For many patients, a multidisciplinary treatment approach consisting of surgery, medical and lifestyle interventions helps achieve a healthier, happier life.

The Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center is a fully integrated center that supports the spectrum of needs for people of all ages seeking help with obesity and weight loss. We provide individualized, multidisciplinary consultation and innovative obesity treatment, including state-of-the-art behavioral and pharmacotherapy programs.

We are part of the Digestive Healthcare Center at Mass General, so our patients have access to specialists in obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, psychology, nutrition, endocrinology, gastroenterology and pediatrics in one location.

We believe weight and eating disorders must be treated by compassionate and knowledgeable professionals who take advantage of the latest scientific developments and tailor treatment to each patient's needs. As part of the largest hospital-based research program in the United States, we are on the leading-edge of obesity research and our patients have access to the newest therapies and trials available.

We are committed to the lifelong care of our patients. Whether we first meet our patients as children or adults, our programs encourage close, long-term follow-up to ensure that patients achieve and maintain an improved quality of life.


Patient Orientation, Consultation and Treatment

Your care at the Mass General Weight Center begins with our new patient orientation session. During orientation, a member of our staff will explain more about the center and programs we offer. Following attendance, patients are scheduled for a three-part consultation with a physician specializing in obesity medicine (internist, gastroenterologist or endocrinologist), dietitian and psychologist specializing in obesity. 

After the initial consultation, your care team members will meet to share their impressions and develop your personalized treatment plan. Each plan is divided into discrete phases reflecting your goals and based on your stage of treatment. Your treatment may include involvement with one or more of the following programs:

  • Surgical Treatments: Our surgeons perform high volumes of bariatric procedures including vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and revisional surgery (for complications of previous weight loss surgery).
  • Non-surgical Treatments: The Mass General Weight Center also offers personalized consultation and treatment plans for patients seeking alternatives to surgery. Learn more about our non-surgical options.
  • Pediatric and Adolescent Programs: The Mass General Weight Center provides full evaluation and care, including medical and surgical interventions, for children and adolescents who are overweight or obese.

Informing and Empowering Patients

Health and education are cornerstones of our patient care programs. We want patients and primary care physicians to make informed decisions about the patient’s treatment options. We will provide information on many topics related to weight, including:

  • Nutrition
  • Meal planning
  • Behavioral change
  • Exercise
  • The medical implications of being overweight
  • The genetics of weight regulation and obesity
  • Current research in weight disorders
  • The status of current therapies
  • The status of future therapies

Commitment to Research

The Mass General Weight Center is strongly committed to advancing our understanding of the causes, complications and effective treatment of weight disorders. We have an active and diverse clinical research program, and we strongly encourage our patients to participate and become our partners in this important research effort. Learn more about Weight Center research in the Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition Institute.