Dr. Margarita McDonald M.D.

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Get to know Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Margarita McDonald, who serves patients in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Dr. McDonald is a dual board-certified bariatric surgeon specializing in medical management of obesity. She is the Founder of The Bariatric Medicine Institute in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Passionate about obesity medicine for over a decade, she felt that the current management programs available to patients were not focusing on the individual patient. As a result, she decided to open The Bariatric Medicine Institute to fill this gap.

The Bariatric Medicine Institute is a comprehensive weight management center where the focus is on the mind, body & spirit. Dr. McDonald and her staff provide individualized medical weight management, known as bariatric medicine. Their goal is to help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight. They offer a multi-disciplinary approach designed to teach healthy eating and lifestyle changes, in conjunction with pharmacological therapy when needed.

 At the start of her academic career, Dr. McDonald graduated with her medical degree from the Tufts University School of Medicine in 2005. She then went on to complete her training within the Abington Family Medicine Residency Program at Abington Hospital.

As a testament to her success, the doctor is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine, a non-profit, independent medical association of American physicians who practice in family medicine and its sub-specialties..

Furthermore, she is board-certified in obesity medicine by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, a 501 nonprofit, self-appointed physician-evaluation organization that certifies physicians practicing obesity medicine.

Excelling in her efforts, Dr. McDonald is a member of the Obesity Medicine Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition, she is affiliated with Abington Jefferson Health, Holy Redeemer Hospital, and Lansdale Hospital.

Bariatric surgery (or weight loss surgery) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese. Long-term weight loss through Standard of Care procedures (Roux en Y Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch) is largely achieved by altering gut hormone levels that are responsible for hunger and satiety, thereby leading to a new hormonal weight set point. A doctor who specializes in this type of surgery is known as a bariatric surgeon. 

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