Dr. Dapo Popoola

r. Dapo Popoola graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School. A general surgeon by profession, he specializes in bariatric surgery, a treatment of morbid obesity, a disease that plagues millions of people, drastically affecting their self image and quality of life.

With 20 million Americans reported to be obese, and another 8 million considered morbidly obese, Dr. Popoola is committed to bringing the gravity of this problem, a rarely-discussed subject in mass media, to the forefront of society's consciousness, through his involvement in the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). Founder and chairman of the Surgilite Medical Group, Inc., based in Torrance, California, Dr. Popoola has treated thousands of morbidly obese patients in the Los Angeles area and around the country. His work greatly inspires the human spirit and brings dignity and hope to many, irrespective of race, culture, or gender.

Dr. Popoola's expertise in the field of bariatric surgery is well-respected by his peers. He has made presentations on a myriad of topics associated with morbid obesity around the world including: Hawaii, London, Canada, Italy, Australia and Senegal. He has also published in the Journal of National Medicine Association and The American Journal of Surgery.

Obesity is a rising epidemic that affects adults, as well as children. The bad news is preventing and managing this debilitating disease is a major public health challenge especially since it increases the risk for several other diseases. Successful weight loss takes a lifelong commitment by the patient and a variety of health care professionals experienced in bariatric surgery. The good news is SurgiLite Medical Group
has the consultants needed to assess and manage overweight and obese patients, including surgeons, an anesthesiologist; a pulmonologist; a cardiologist; a psychiatrist, and a plastic surgeon will provide both in-patient and long-term outpatient care. The medical professional team, who will be introduced in this website, is licensed in California.

To address other concerns, this website was developed to guide you through the maze of questions and answers about weight loss surgical options, the risks, and the benefits. As you will see from the contents of this website and the personal
interaction with the SurgiLite Medical Group, our positive, supportive attitude and
encouragement will contribute to the success of the patient’s goal to maintain the
weight loss.

After more than 20 years of medical training and experience that includes general
and pediatric surgery, burn care and emergency services; you may wonder how
I chose to specialize in bariatric surgery. After an inspirational meeting with the
founding father of obesity surgery, Dr. Edward E. Mason of the University of Iowa,
I wanted to devote my practice to helping people achieve a healthier lifestyle.
As the founder and medical director of SurgiLite Medical Group, my vision
was to provide patients with a center that would address the complete needs of
weight loss based on surgical procedures. Since 1983, I have successfully treated
more than 4,000 people across the United States and my fight against obesity
continues.

Currently, I am the chief of surgery and the director of bariatric surgery for the
Los Angeles Metropolitan Hospital where I perform bariatric surgery (laparoscopically
and open) and gastric bypass surgery as endorsed by the National Institutes of
Health. I am an active board member of the American Society for Bariatric
Surgery Foundation.

My calling as a surgeon goes beyond the medical needs of people residing in
the United States. When time permits, I travel back to my homeland of Nigeria
with a team of dedicated and giving medical professionals and volunteers to
provide free medical examinations, health education and surgical treatment.