Our Center
Comprehensive Care
The Baptist Weight-Loss Center provides a team approach and brings together a range of services to support and assist people undergoing weight-loss surgery. The goal is to help patients improve both their health and their quality of life.
The Baptist Weight-Loss Center is located in the Bear Family Foundation Health Center. To learn more about weight-loss surgery and our services, call 448.227.6250.
Our Team
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Asahel Gridley, M.D., Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Gridley is a board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon who has performed more than 1,000 bariatric surgeries throughout his career. He is skilled in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric, endoscopic, and robotic surgery. He is a member of The Surgery Group in Pensacola, Florida, and serves as the medical director for Baptist Weight-Loss Center.
* Dr. Gridley is an independent member of the medical staff of Baptist Hospital Inc. He is not an employee or agent of Baptist Hospital, Inc.
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James Cassiano, M.D., Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Cassiano is a board-certified general surgeon with knowledge and experience in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, including endoscopy. He obtained his medical degree from Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee, FL. He completed his general surgery internship at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and his bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowship at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, RI. In his free time, Dr. Cassiano enjoys outdoor activities, traveling and spending time with his family.
* Dr. Cassiano is an independent member of the medical staff of Baptist Hospital Inc. He is not an employee or agent of Baptist Hospital, Inc.
Services
- Experienced surgeons specializing in gastric bypass procedures
- Full complement of medical specialists experienced in bariatric care
- Five-year medical follow-up
- Clinical staff especially sensitive to the needs of bariatric patients
- A bi-weekly Pre-operative Education Class that provides information about the surgery, dietary considerations and the recovery process
- Designated Bariatric Surgical Wing that features specialized equipment and instruments, including scales, beds, chairs and apparel designed with our patients in mind
- Separate bariatric clinic located on the second floor of the Bear Health Center for patient convenience and privacy.
- Registered dietician and nutritionist specializing in the needs of bariatric patients. Member of the American Dietetic Association and Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group
- Pre-surgical nutrition evaluations
- One-on-one post-operative consultation and follow-up with Registered dietician
- Monthly Bariatric Support Group with guest speakers specializing in topics of interest to weight-loss patients
Accreditations
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program®- Patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving care at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality.
- Blue Distinction® Center+ Designation
- Baptist Weight-Loss Center has received a Blue Distinction® Center+ designation from Florida Blue in the area of bariatric surgery by the Blue Distinction® Centers for Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction® Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community, for patient safety and better health outcomes.
Support
- Group Discussion
- On the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., a support group meets. Anyone can attend from those contemplating weight-loss surgery; those who have had weight-loss surgery and any interested family members or friends. Family members are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for this forum and reservations are not required. For more information, call us at 448.227.6250.