Our Expert Staff

Dr. Michael S. Kaplan, D.O.

Bariatric Medicine/Internal Medicine

Dr. Michael Kaplan, a native of Long Island, graduated from Commack High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami where he majored in psychology. He returned to the New York area to attend the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine where he earned his D.O. degree.

Dr. Kaplan did his residency training in internal medicine at the North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Bariatric Medicine.

After practicing internal medicine for two years, Dr. Kaplan moved into the field of bariatric medicine, dealing specifically with the medical and emotional needs of the obese individual. It was his recognition that obesity is not a matter of self-control but a chronic medical disorder with a physiological basis, which led Dr. Kaplan into this specialty.

Dr. Kaplan founded the Long Island Weight Loss Institute in 2002 to best serve the needs of the overweight individual. And, Long Island Weight Loss Institute stresses an individualized approach to weight loss through a combined program of diet, exercise and personal counseling. Dr. Kaplan and his staff, all trained in obesity issues, work together with the patient to create a program based on the unique requirements of the patient.

Dr. Kaplan finds the practice of bariatric medicine allows him to change the health and well being of peoples' lives in a significant and meaningful way. Not only does he help enable his patients to lose weight and keep it off, but to deal successfully with the other problems associated with obesity, including diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

Andre Giannakopoulos, M.D.

Andre Giannakopoulos, M.D. was born and raised right here in Long Island, graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Old Westbury, where he majored in biology. He then went on to medical school at Ross University where he earned his M.D. degree.

While still a medical student, he worked through many different Long Island and City hospitals including Long Island Jewish, King’s County, Wyckoff Heights, Jamaica Hospital, and The Hospital for Joint Disease in Manhattan, to name just a few, and it was at that point where he realized the very real obesity epidemic this city and the rest of the country was facing.

Andre Giannakopoulos, M.D. did his residency training in internal medicine at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. While there he recognized one the greatest challenges in his internal medicine office was dealing with his obese patients and getting them to lose weight.

"Unfortunately, I just didn’t have enough time to spend with each individual’s needs, nor did I possess enough specific knowledge in how to combat this chronic disease."

His determination to make a difference brought him to Long Island Weight Loss Institute where he partnered with Dr. Michael Kaplan, D.O. to share with him, his expertise.

With the right approach, the right knowledge and more time, this disease can be managed and defeated, one patient at a time. At Long Island Weight Loss Institute, the knowledge is here, the time is now. Let us help you take back control of your life, and most importantly, your health.

Dr. Khokar , M.D.
Bariatric Medicine/Internal Medicine

Since 1994, Dr. Khokar has had the privilege to practice Internal Medicine on Long Island. His credentials were earned after completing his Internal Medicine residency from Flushing Hospital Medical Center in New York City, as well as a Fellowship at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York.

During his practice, he has worked with patients of various backgrounds struggling to get control of chronic medical conditions related to excess weight. These conditions have included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, coronary disease, spinal and lower back problems, as well as problems with the lower extremities. The treatment of depression and other psychological problems related to obesity is one of which he and his patients have experienced and overcome.

In working with this population, Dr. Khokar has come to realize that addressing one disease pattern without addressing the root cause of the disease is not the solution to the problem. There is a tendency to treat one disease with one pill, then solve the side effects of this pill with yet another. Most of these pills contribute to the overall weight gain, which happens to be the root cause of these diseases. The fact is, Dr. Khokar helps his patients address their struggle with obesity with fewer medications; enabling them to live their lives to the fullest. His objective is to help anyone who wants to change his or her quality of life by living it as God has intended--as a precious gift.

Collin E.M. Brathwaite, M.D. FACS

Long Island Weight Loss Institute is honored to include Dr. Collin E.M. Brathwaite as part of its medical staff. Patients of Long Island Weight Loss Institute for whom surgery is recommended will be referred to Dr. Brathwaite for the performance of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and other related procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity.

Dr. Brathwaite graduated from Howard University in 1983 after completing his M.D. degree in the three year (accelerated) program. He completed his residency in General Surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York in 1988, then went on to fellowship training in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Brathwaite has served on the faculty of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey as well as Allegheny University in Pennsylvania. While practicing in Pennsylvania in 1996 he was listed by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the "Top Docs" in that region.

Dr. Brathwaite currently serves as a surgical consultant to the new York State Health Department and New York health Plan Association in the development of Bariatric surgery guidelines for the state of new York. He is a member of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the International Society ofr Bariatric Surgery, and has served in a leadership role in several other national professional organizations. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

For more information about Bariatric Surgery go to www.brathwaitesurgical.com

Dr. Ricciardelli

Dr. Ricciardelli is a board certified physician who has been in practice in Port Jefferson Station for eighteen years in the specialty of internal medicine.  He was born and raised in New Jersey and matriculated at Fordham University for his undergraduate degree in biology.  After attending the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico for his MD degree, he completed three years of an internal medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

He was selected as chief medical resident at the East Orange VA Medical Center and then did one year of a critical care fellowship at the same location.  During that time he had his first experience in weight loss management with a liquid diet program. While considering a long-term position in bariatric medicine, he decided to enter a general internal medicine practice.

Through the years he has seen the devastating effects of obesity on many of his patients’ health.  In addition, he has had personal experience with family members with this problem.  With obesity reaching epidemic proportions, Dr. Ricciardelli has decided to dedicate himself to treating this disease process.  He realizes the special needs of the obese patient population and eagerly anticipates the personal interaction and impact he hopes to have on their lives.

Dr. Bennett

Dr. Bennett is a board certified internist who has been in practice in Port Jefferson Station for 15 years. After receiving a degree in psychology at New York University, Dr. Bennett went on to study for his MD degree at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico for three years, and spent his forth year at New York University, School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Bridgeport Hospital, in Bridgeport, CT.

As well as educating others at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven Hospital and other facilities, Dr. Norman Bennett keeps his knowledge current by attending the most recent professional enhancements lectures and courses.

Dr. Bennett is currently the consulting physician for vascular medicine at the Nesconset Nursing home as well as an associate with Suffolk Vascular Associates in Port Jefferson Station, NY. He is also at Rejuve Medi-spa in East Setauket, NY practicing Aesthetic Medicine such as BOTOX Cosmetic, Juvederm and Sclerotherapy.

Piya Ghoshal, M.D.

116 Broadway, Suite #6 Amityville, NY 11701