Loading Page
Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD is a bariatric surgeon in New York, NY specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. She graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2016 and has 10 years of experience. Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD is affiliated with NYU Langone Health.
NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone Health
Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the upper abdomen, underneath the liver. Its purpose is to store bile, which is used to digest fat. Occasionally, the gallbladder can develop mineral stones, called gallstones. If they are large enough, gallstones can block the ducts in the gallbladder and cause swelling and infection. Gallstones can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication, but sometimes this is not enough. In these cases, it is best to remove the gallbladder before it can cause more serious problems. The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.
Today, most gallbladder surgeries are done laparoscopically. Four tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, and small tools are inserted through these tiny incisions to perform the surgery. Because the incisions are much smaller, recovery time is much faster with this type of surgery. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital the same day. Sometimes, open surgery is used to remove a gallbladder. In this type of surgery, a cut about six inches long is made in the upper right abdomen. After the gallbladder is removed, it is sutured or stapled closed. With open surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover before they are discharged.
Gallbladder removal, like any surgery, carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, or the development of blood clots. Doctors will tell patients how to minimize their risk for complications. After surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for several days. They should not soak in a bath until their sutures or staples have been removed. Patients should wash hands before touching the area around the incision. It will take a couple of days until patients feel like themselves again and a few weeks until their scar has healed and faded.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that promotes weight loss by reducing the stomach and altering how the digestive system absorbs and processes food. The procedure treats morbid obesity, where one's weight impairs day-to-day function or poses serious health risks. Gastric bypass surgery is used only after other weight loss treatments are unsuccessful.
Generally, gastric bypass surgery is performed on patients who have a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgeons frequently expect patients to first attempt natural weight loss for about six months to prove to the surgeon that the patient is capable of maintaining a post-surgery diet and exercise regimen.
For obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has many potential health and weight benefits. Gastric bypass surgery restricts the amount of food the stomach contains, as well as:
During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is stapled to reduce its size, and a small hole is created in the stomach and attached to the middle section of the small intestine. This direct connection between the stomach and the middle of the small intestine creates a channel for some food to bypass the normal route. By bypassing the upper small intestine and larger region of the stomach, food is not fully absorbed and patients do not retain the same amount of calories as before. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as "Roux-en-Y" gastric bypass surgery. Some bariatric surgeons may perform a "laparoscopic bypass" which uses a tiny camera (laparoscope) to guide the procedure.
Gastric bypass surgery is performed with general anesthesia and as preparation, a liquid diet is required for two weeks prior to undergoing the surgery. After the surgery, patients will spend about two days in the hospital and may miss work for two to three weeks. In the first month after the surgery, patients are only able to consume small portions of liquid or soft food. Even after reintroducing solid food, patients feel full quickly, sometimes after eating just two or three tablespoons. Some patients experience "dumping syndrome" (rapid processing of food into the small intestine), which is common during the recovery process. Gastric bypass surgery patients must also make permanent lifestyle changes. For example, gastric bypass patients are required to take vitamins for life after surgery and required to forever avoid certain foods, such as alcohol, sugar, and high fat food.
While the gastric bypass recovery process can be challenging, surgery results are usually swift: most gastric bypass surgery patients lose nearly half to two thirds of their starting weight within two years of surgery.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.
There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.
Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2016. She completed residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery - General Surgery and has a state license in New York.
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine (2016)
Residency: New York-Presbyterian Hospital (2023)
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery - General Surgery (2023)
Licensed In: New York
Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: HIP EPO, HIP Access II, HIP Access I, MagnaCare PPO, Humana Medicare Advantage, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, CIGNA Open Access, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, United Healthcare Indemnity, United Healthcare HMO, United Healthcare EPO, United Healthcare Choice, Aetna Open Access HMO, Vytra HMO, Healthfirst Medicaid, TRICARE, Anthem, Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, Healthfirst Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare HMO, Aetna Open Access EPO, AARP, WellCare Medicare, WellCare, United Healthcare Medicare, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, 1199SEIU, Guardian, Fidelis Care, HIP PPO, HIP POS, HIP HMO, Aetna Medicare, HIP Child Health Plus, MultiPlan PPO, MultiPlan, GHI Medicare Supplement, United Healthcare Navigate, Aetna POS, First Health PPO, Great-West Healthcare HMO, Aetna Indemnity, Great-West Healthcare, Golden Rule, Community Care Network (CCN), Trustmark , Beech Street PPO, Kaiser Permanente, GHI HMO, CIGNA PPO, Group Health Incorporated (GHI), EmblemHealth, CIGNA HMO, CIGNA Indemnity, Healthfirst Child Health Plus, Medicaid Managed Care, TriWest, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, Blue Cross Blue Shield POS, Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO, Local 1199 PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Indemnity, US Family Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Railroad Medicare, GEHA, BCBS PPO (NYU Langone Suffolk Employees), BCBS Healthplus Special Needs, BCBS PPO/EPO Small Group, Teamsters Allied Benefits, Healthfirst Green Leaf Exchange, Apwu Health Plan, Christian Brothers Services, MetroPlusHealth Medicare, Qualcare Inc, HIP Prime Silver Exchange, Insurance Design Administrators, Healthfirst Essential Plan 1 & 2, Health Net of California, Global Excel, Centers Plan For Healthy Living, Healthfirst Silver Leaf Exchange, BCBS Healthplus Essential Plan 4, BCBS Healthplus Essential Plan 3, BCBS Healthplus Essential Plan 2, BCBS Healthplus Essential Plan 1, MetroPlusHealth Gold, American Plan Administrators, HIP Prime Platinum Exchange, BCBS Local 32BJ Employees, Healthfirst Platinum Leaf Exchange, HIP Prime Gold Exchange, Healthfirst Gold Total, Pro, Plus EPO, AXA Assistance USA, Nippon Life-Aetna, UMR GEHA, Fiserv Health, Mutual of Omaha, UMR, BCBS Mediblue Medicare PPO, BCBS Healthplus Gatekeeper exchange, Screen Actors Guild, MetroPlusHealth Medplus Plan Exchange, HIP Prime Silver, HIP Prime Bronze Exchange, Meritain Health, CenterLight Healthcare DIRECT, HIP VIP Medicare Bold, Administrative Concepts, HIP Bridge, Healthfirst Silver Total, Pro, Plus EPO, Connecticare Bridge, BCBS Healthplus NY Child Health Plus NY, BCBS EPO (NYU Langone Suffolk Employees), River Spring Medicare HMP SNP, NY Fire Department - WTC, HIP Prime Bronze, Aetna POS (American Express Employer), Healthfirst Personal Wellness Plan, BCBS Blue Access EPO Small Group, AETNA EPO (NYULH Employees), BCBS Healthplus Mediblue Advantage, Connecticare Commercial, MetroPlusHealth Child Health Plus, MetroPlusHealth Essential Plan 3 and 4, Aetna Signature Administrators PPO, HIP Prime Gold, Healthfirst Platinum Total, Pro, Plus EPO, Health Republic of New Jersey, Nippon Life Ins Co, MetroPlusHealth Goldcare, MetroPlusHealth Gold Plus Plan Exchange, MetroPlusHealth Essential Plan 1 and 2, Healthfirst Essential Plan 3 & 4, HIP VIP Medicare Prime, New York Hotel Trades, HIP Prime Basic Exchange, Global Health, Healthfirst Bronze Leaf Exchange, HIP Prime Platinum, Nippon Life of America-Aetna, World Trade Center - Sedgwick, NYS Health Insurance Plan - The Empire Plan, Excelsior Plan, NY Student Employee Health Plan, US Life Insurance Company, BCBS Blue Access PPO Large Group, Oxford Health Plans Liberty, Wlny-TV Inc., CenterLight Healthcare PACE, Aetna International, Medicare Part A and B, MetroPlusHealth Bronze Plus Plan Exchange, Healthfirst Gold Leaf Exchange, MVP Preferred EPO, MVP Select Care Inc., BCBS PPO (BlackRock Employees), BCBS Out of State or Region, Aetna Meritain Health, Healthfirst Bronze Total, Pro, Plus EPO, BCBS Mediblue Select HMO/Extra HMO, IUOE Local 14-14B, Chesterfield Resources Inc, HIP Medicare Supplement, Diversified Administration Corporation, VNS NY Choice Select Health, WellNet, Aetna Student Plan, Bind Benefits inc, BCBS EPO (BlackRock Employees), Health And Recovery Plan (Harp), Centerlight Pace Medicare HMO, HIP Prime Catastrophic Exchange, Allied, MetroPlusHealth Platinum Plus Plan Exchange, Empire Mediblue Healthplus Dual, Aetna Medicare Value Select HMO, Qualcare Direct, Oxford Health Plans Freedom, Professional Benefit Admin, MetroPlusHealth Silver Plus Plan Exchange, BCBS Blue Access GEPO Small Group, Wellfleet-NYU Student, Starmark, AETNA EPO (Sunset Park Employees), BCBS Blue Access EPO Large Group, WTC Health Program, CenterLight Healthcare Select and BCBS Federal Program.
According to our sources, Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Dessislava Stefanova, MD here: Leave a Review
Dr. Dessislava Stefanova practices general surgery and bariatric surgery. These areas are among her clinical interests: inguinal hernia, gastric (stomach) ulcer, and umbilical hernia. She seems to be an in-network provider for Trustmark, Anthem, and Blue California, as well as other insurance carriers. Dr. Stefanova graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine. Her residency was performed at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and a hospital affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Stefanova is affiliated with NYU Langone Health.
