STATEN ISLAND, N.Y — Since founding the New York Bariatric Group (NYBG) 22 years ago, Dr. Shawn Garber has performed thousands of gastric bypass and Lap-Band procedures and helped develop a single incision sleeve gastrectomy technique that has become an industry standard. His work with gastric balloons is extensive; his opinions and medical advice regularly quoted on the news and talk show circuits. And now, the experienced bariatric surgeon is opening a branch of his nationally renowned practice in Staten Island.

“New York Bariatric Group in Staten Island will serve as a bariatric hub for the patients who live and work here,” noted Dr. Robert Felte, who will bring Garber’s methods to the borough alongside Dr. Glenn Forrester and Dr. M. Shuja Shafqat, a board-certified plastic surgeon with NYBG Plastic Surgery, a subsidiary of New York Bariatric Group.

“I look forward to working with the community and providing a patient-centered team approach for successful long-term weight-loss,” Felte continued.

Located in Bloomfield’s Corporate Commons Three, the newly built campus of office space on South Avenue, the practice will officially open on Friday, March 4, and serve as a convenient branch of the organization for those seeking weight loss surgery. Its presence is part of Richard and Nicotra’s “Medical Mile” vision — bringing Park Avenue practices to “Staten Island’s Park Avenue.”

“We know good health is wealth, and bringing New York Bariatric to the West Shore of Staten Island was important to us because they expand on the medical offerings on South Avenue as we add to the more than 25 practices on our ‘Medical Mile,’” the Nicotras noted in a statement. “Ease of access, top-notch health professionals, ample free and accessible parking and a high-end office experience are what our Staten Island community deserves, and Corporate Commons Three continues to attract excellent health-care practices to our borough.”

Widely known as the largest bariatric practice in the tristate area, New York Bariatric Group performs a variety of weight-loss procedures, including gastric balloons, Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Band, duodenal switch, revisional surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Featuring a staff of 26 full-time bariatric surgeons across its network, plus four full-time plastic surgeons and 25 physician assistants, the group has performed more than 30,000 successful procedures combined, and currently maintains 20 offices throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona and Oklahoma. The new Staten Island location will offer borough residents another local option for the treatment and prevention of disorders that are linked to obesity.

“Obesity is very challenging,” noted Megan DiGregorio, director of marketing, analytics and business development for the New York Bariatric Group. “Patients go through so many struggles for so many years, and weight loss surgery is an option that allows those patients to resolve co-morbidities like diabetes and return to better health.”

The Staten Island location will also feature a plastic surgery division — headed by Shafqat — that specializes in body contouring after weight loss.

“Our plastic surgeon performs a wide range of procedures for face, body, breast and neck,” the medical group noted on its website. “Many patients come to us for body contouring or surgery to restore a more youthful appearance to the face and body. We employ the least invasive techniques when possible, and recent advancements in technology can produce truly remarkable results without invasive surgery.”

A private NYBG label line of protein drinks, protein bars and vitamins will be available at the site and after-care, including support programs, counseling, dietary assistance, fitness and more will also be offered.

“We know what it takes to lose weight and keep it off, so our comprehensive after-care program allows for the greatest chance of success,” the website stated.

For the doctors who will be delivering these services to Staten Island residents, this new office is an exciting development.

“We look forward to making a positive impact on patient lives with bariatric care on Staten Island,” Forrester noted.