Expert Multidisciplinary Team
The NEW Program utilizes a multidisciplinary team that includes experts in bariatric medicine, nutrition, exercise, clinical psychology, and laparoscopic surgery, and as a result, our center offers one of the most extensive aftercare programs in America. Patient education seminars, informal peer support groups and one-to-one counseling are available for all patients. Other specialized services include a dedicated Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program. Our emphasis is not only on performing the safest, minimally invasive surgery, but also on helping our patients to live a healthier lifestyle. All of our patients receive the best care available, the complete confidentiality of an exclusive and private setting, and the understanding that every patient's success is a matter of teamwork on the part of the patient and our program staff. Patients typically remain in the hospital only one day and often are able to return to work after one week.
Brian B. Quebbemann, MD, FACS is one of America’s top experts in minimally invasive bariatric surgery and performs nearly every weight loss surgery using minimally invasive, laparoscopic, techniques. He has practiced surgery in Newport Beach, California since 1997 and is Surgical Director of The N.E.W. Program. Dr. Quebbemann’s training includes Medical School at the University of Minnesota and Residency Training in general surgery, bariatric surgery and laparoscopy at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine.
Dr. Quebbemann's focus on expertly performed surgery combined with an integrated patient support program led to the development of The N.E.W. Program, the first truly integrated bariatric surgery program in Southern California. Since opening the laparoscopic bariatric program in 2000, he has completed well over 1500 minimally invasive bariatric procedures and an amazing track record of excellent excellent weight loss and minimal complications.
Dr. Quebbemann was among the first surgeons in America to perform the LAP-BAND® Procedure and was the first surgeon to perform the laparoscopic gastric bypass in Orange County. Dr. Quebbemann received national media attention after operating on Ann Wilson, the lead singer of the rock-group Heart. Dr. Quebbemann is frequently asked to lecture surgeons on various topics regarding weight loss surgery and has been on several news programs and documentaries including 48 hours, Discovery Health, OCN the LA Times, USA Today and the Early Show.
Dr. Quebbemann is a long-standing member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, he is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a member of the North American Society for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Justin Braverman, MD,FACS completed his surgical training at Mt. Sinai Hospital Medical Center in Chicago, where he served at Chief Resident in Surgery. In addition to his surgery training, he was a member of the Organ Transplant Team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s organ transplant program where he was a post doctorate research fellow in organ transplantation. Dr. Braverman is skilled in complex laparoscopic surgical techniques and minimally invasive bariatric surgery. He works closely with Dr. Brian Quebbemann in all phases of the weight loss clinic.
A member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Braverman earned both his master’s degree in science and his medical degree from Finch University of Health Sciences at The Chicago Medical School.
Karen Garner, MD has been a specialist in Bariatric Medicine at The N.E.W. Program since June 2004. Dr Garner is a graduate of both Stanford University and the University of Southern California School of Medicine, where she achieved top honors. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center as well as the post-graduate Kennamer Fellowship in the management of high-risk surgical patients at UCLA. Her fellowship experience gives Dr. Garner specialized knowledge in the pre-operative management of bariatric surgery patients.
Tracy A. Siegfried, MD is the Medical Director of The N.E.W. Program. Dr. Siegfried attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where she completed her medical degree as well as her residency training in Internal Medicine. She became interested in Bariatric Medicine while at the University of Chicago and later developed a comprehensive non-surgical weight control program in Orange County. Her interest in developing more effective weight control strategies led to her involvement in the initial design of The N.E.W. Program. She is closely involved in the medical management of bariatric surgery patients with a specific interest in nutrition requirements after surgery.
John Jolliffe, MFT is the Clinical Director of Lifestyle Management at The N.E.W. Program. He is a Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association, a Clinical Member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and a sought after Marriage and Family Therapist with an international consulting practice. Mr. Jolliffe holds a graduate degree in psychology and theology. He is closely involved with pre-operative patient assessment as well as the aftercare and LifeStyle Management Program.
Arian Mowlavi, M.D. Dr. Arian Mowlavi graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Biophysics. He received his medical doctorate from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and completed an extensive six year cosmetic and plastic surgery residency at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Mowlavi has been honored with five national awards for his work from various surgical societies, including the prestigious Gaspar Anastasi Award by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He has published articles in plastic and cosmetic surgery journals. He is the founder of Cosmetic Surgery Clinics (CSC), based in Laguna Beach which offers innovative and individually tailored treatment options and delivers the highest standard in surgical care. He is highly skilled in skin reduction for post-bariatric surgery patients.
Dr. Mowlavi is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Microsurgical Reconstruction, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Robert W. Kessler MD, FACS. After many years of advanced surgical training and cosmetic surgery practice, Dr. Kessler has settled his family in Newport Beach. He lives here with his wife of 19 years and his 3 daughters. Dr. Kessler is active in the community and brings the same level of commitment to the community that he does to his aesthetic surgical patients.Dr. Kessler is a native of New York City where he lived until completing his undergraduate degree Summa Cum Laude from Stony Brook University. He then moved to Boston and received his medical degree with Honors from Tufts University in Boston. He completed a distinguished General Surgical Residency with North Shore/NYU in New York. He was then selected for a Plastic Surgery residency with the US Air Force and the University of Texas.
He returned to active duty with the US Air Force for three years. During this time, Dr Kessler served as Professor of Surgery to the Uniformed Services University Health Sciences and Wright State University School of Medicine teaching residence and medical students the art of surgery. After 3 years of active cosmetic surgery practice and Board certification in both General and Plastic Surgery, Dr Kessler pursued advanced training in facial cosmetic surgery with Dr. Bruce Connell in 2003. He then opened practices in Beverly Hills and Santa Ana.
Dr. Kessler worked closely with Dr. Garth Fisher as a surgical consultant and surgical assistant on ABC's Extreme Makeover. He has been lecturing nationally and internationally on topics of facial rejuvenation and body contouring after massive weight loss teaching these advanced techniques to fellow plastic surgeons. He is a Council Member of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and has recently been appointed to the Public Education Committee of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.