About Us

About

Dr. Balsama & The Team

Dr. Balsama takes pride not only in his pioneering work in bariatrics in the Northeast but also in his leading patient care. In creating a space for those with the shared struggle of weight loss, he fostered a group of dedicated former and current patients that participate in everything from run/walk events to fashion shows. Matching that with a friendly team who’s always available to answer questions and lend a supportive shoulder, Dr. Balsama has built not just a community, but a family.

Meet Dr. Balsama

For Dr. Balsama, a leading bariatric surgeon in South Jersey, surgery is just the beginning. He understands that real lifestyle changes are ongoing and works hard to provide the support his patients need in and out of the operating room. He doesn’t just encourage a healthy lifestyle. He embodies it. As a fitness lover, Dr. Balsama has qualified for and participated in the Boston Marathon, the Chicago Marathon, and the Broad Street Run.

When he isn’t working to better himself, he’s working to better his practice, serving as Acting Chairman for the Department of Surgery and as General Surgery Residency Program Director at Rowan-SOM. His dedication to his practice led him to be the first surgeon at Kennedy Hospital to complete an SILS Lap Band procedure. In recognition of all his outstanding work, Dr. Balsama has been voted a “Top Doc” by SJ Magazine 6 years in a row.

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Nutrition

Post-op life requires a lot of lifestyle changes. The first step to living a healthier life is maintaining a well-balanced diet. Dr. Balsama not only integrates a healthy diet into his own life, but he helps his patients to do so as well.

With a cooking show in the works, Dr. Balsama will share recipes and demonstrate techniques to help viewers make flavorful, wholesome meals. Pulling recipes right from his everyday life, he’ll show how easy healthy eating can be. Sign up for email alerts about the show and other tips for healthy living.

Fitness

In addition to diet, healthy living is also influenced by fitness. A routine exercise plan is essential to achieving and maintaining your best results. Showing patients that they can start at any time without expensive workout clothes or equipment, Dr. Balsama shares his love of running. As an avid runner who has taken part in several races and marathons, Dr. Balsama loves participating in community events to get his patients moving. He even runs sponsored 5K run/walks with his patients and hosts an online running club to keep them motivated.

Music

But Dr. Louis Balsama’s interests don’t stop at food and fitness. He has a true love for music and is a passionate musician. Dr. Balsama plays the guitar, drums, and has a heart-warming singing voice which you can hear in the background of some of his videos. If your heart can’t be won by his warm personality, maybe, just maybe, he’ll serenade you with a song. Listen to his tribute song to his patients.

Meet the Team

Patients and staff make up our community. With some overlap between the two, you can rest assured that you’re talking to people who understand where you are and can provide the tools you will need on your weight loss journey.

Working out of a renovated house at our Sewell location, our team is more than just colleagues. We are a family, and we’re always excited to welcome new family members.

Pre and post-op nutritional counseling
Back on track support for longer term patients
Exercise groups

Support groups
Emotional support
24/7 availability for biopsychosocial well-being

Christine “Chris” Arroliga

Bariatric Nurse Manager; RN, CDE, SMC, CBN

Chris Arroliga was one of the first nurses in the New Jersey area to receive her Bariatric Nurse Certification. With over 30 years of nursing experience and 17 years spent specializing in bariatrics, Chris is an instrumental part of Dr. Balsama’s practice.

Kathleen “Kathy” McKeever

Bariatric Coordinator

Kathy McKeever connects patients to physicians, builds bridges between physician groups, and acts as an intermediary between hospitals and our practice. Kathy has an excellent record of getting procedures approved with minimal delays.

Sharon Mclaughlin

Office Manager; CPC, MMA

Sharon Mclaughlin recently celebrated her twentieth anniversary with our practice. As our Office Manager, Sharon oversees all of our finances and ensures the practice runs smoothly.

The Balsama Buddies

Our Patients

Our patients, affectionately known as The Balsama Buddies, are the most important part of our team. They are the inspiration behind everything we do.