Dr. Tom Brown is a board-certified, general and bariatric surgeon who has over 25 years of clinical experience in performing general surgery, 10 of which have been recently dedicated to the practice of bariatric surgery. Dr. Brown is one of the leading laparoscopic surgeons in the Denver area, demonstrating skill and experience in executing 2,000 bariatric surgical procedures, including the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the Lap-Band, and bariatric revisional surgeries. When doing bariatric surgery, Dr. Brown performs 99% of his procedures laparoscopically. Following is a brief history of his medical education, practice experience, and surgical expertise.
Medical Education
Medical Degree:Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois Surgery Residency: Western Reserve Care System, Youngstown, Ohio Board Certification: General Surgery, July 1989; re certified 1999, 2009 Fellow of the American College of Surgeons: October 1993 - current Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: January 2007 - current International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity: January 2002 - current Designated a Bariatric Surgery of Excellence with P/SL: October 28, 2005; recertified October 2009
Practice Experience
Military: General Surgeon (Major), U.S. Air Force, Beale AFB; California General Surgeon, Desert Storm, March AFB Group Practice: General Surgeon, Kaiser Permanente of Colorado Current Private Practice: Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute
Diagnostic laparoscopy for malignancy or chronic pain
Paraesophageal hernia repair
Surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Surgical treatment of breast disease
Staff
Written by Administrator
Liz Rosenzweig, MSW, LCSW Liz is a clinical social worker who comes to the CSBI team by way of Massachusetts, where she was working in the field of outpatient mental health. Liz received her MSW from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and has worked with a variety of patient populations on problems including addiction, trauma, body image and poor self concept. Liz is responsible for psychological screening of patients considering gastric bypass or placement of a Lap-Band. She also provides post-operative support to ensure that patients make effective lifestyle changes, as well as helping patients and their loved-ones with the emotional aspects of weight-loss surgery. This is achieved through individual and family meetings as well as participation in CBSI's monthly support groups.
Melinda Winters, MLT, ASCP Melinda has had extensive experience as a medical technologist in private and independent medical laboratories. She is now the billing manager in this office and expertly handles all of the medical billing matters.
Jody Halouska, RD Jody is our Bariatric Surgery Coordinator who is also a Registered Dietitian who counsels and educates CBSI patients as to their modified diet following bariatric surgery. Jody received her bachelor's degrees in Nutritional Science and Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed a year long dietetic internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Jody has held numerous positions in nutrition counseling and education for adults and youth, as well as being a certified personal trainer. She works with CBSI patients pre- and post-operatively in individual and group settings to assist with achieving and maintaining weight loss goals.
Amy Kerstiens, CMA Amy is our Insurance and Benefits Coordinator at CBSI. Amy does all the precertification for surgery. She will help you determine what insurance benefits you have prior to surgery. She is prepared to evaluate your insurance benefits even prior to scheduling a consultation.
Cheral is an experienced medical receptionist. At CBSI, Cheral fields phone calls and questions, and schedules oll post-operative visits. She'll be the one at the front desk to guide you through each visit.
FREE Insurance Evaluation
We provide a FREE insurance evaluation for your bariatric surgery prior to your consultation. We want you to know what insurance benefits your carrier provides for bariatric surgery in order to help you manage the cost of surgery from day one.
About Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass is a safe and effective bariatric surgery that allows patients to experience dramatic weight loss that is also associated with significant improvement or resolution of obesity-related illnesses.
About the Lap Band
Gastric banding is a popular alternative to the gastric bypass and is a less invasive surgical option. The Lap-Band is adjustable and can be inflated with saline to tighten in order to promote weight loss.
Watch Our Videos
Watch the videos and read testimonials from some of our CBSI patients. Their compelling stories will help you better understand how weight-loss surgery can favorably impact your health and life.
For the FIRST Time
After weight-loss surgery, most everybody experiences some deeply satisfying “FIRSTS.” Here they share some of those special moments.
Dr. Tom Brown is a board-certified, general and bariatric surgeon who has over 25 years of clinical experience in performing general surgery, 10 of which have been recently dedicated to the practice of bariatric surgery. Dr. Brown is one of the leading laparoscopic surgeons in the Denver area, demonstrating skill and experience in executing 2,000 bariatric surgical procedures, including the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the Lap-Band, and bariatric revisional surgeries. When doing bariatric surgery, Dr. Brown performs 99% of his procedures laparoscopically. Following is a brief history of his medical education, practice experience, and surgical expertise.
Melinda Winters, MLT, ASCP
Jody Halouska, RD 
Amy Kerstiens, CMA 