Dr. Walter D. Harrison

The impact I have on my patients is what I enjoy most about being a weight loss surgeon. It is amazing that we can do an operation that not only helps a patient lose weight, but also fixes their diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, along with giving them a better quality of life. There are a lot of options these days for people who are considering weight loss surgery. It’s important for patients to take into account each institution and what resources they have available. Duke is fully equipped to take care of complex cases in a safe manner. We have a multi-institutional team that’s been around the Triangle the longest and has the most experience. Almost every patient comes back after surgery and we see some of their previous medical conditions go away. That’s a good definition of success. Dr. Portenier is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Gastrectomy. His top areas of expertise are Obesity, Hernia, Short Bowel Syndrome, Gastric Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The majority of my practice is focused on treating patients with the disease obesity. I am a general surgeon who completed a fellowship in advanced minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, so that I can offer obesity care using advanced endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches. I am also board certified in obesity medicine and my hope is to approach patients comprehensively. Obesity is a chronic disease that needs lifelong follow up. This approach takes a team and here at Duke Health, we have a fantastic team. A true multidisciplinary approach helps us meet all the needs of our patients. With my training, I also treat gallbladder disease, stomach diseases, acid reflux, and hernias. With my laparoscopic and robotic training, I can offer the safest and best approaches for your general surgery needs. When I meet you in clinic, we will talk through all the treatments options for your condition so we make the best and safest decision for you and your family. My goal is to offer you the care that I would want for my family. Dr. Eckhouse is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Gastrectomy. Her top areas of expertise are Obesity, Obesity in Children, Hernia, Gastric Bypass, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

I came to Duke from Nebraska, where I was a medical director for two weight loss surgery programs. I decided to become a weight loss surgeon because it gives me the chance to establish a long-term relationship with my patients. For many patients, weight loss surgery often feels like a fresh start, since they are able to get rid of some of the health problems they may have acquired due to their weight and do certain activities they couldn’t do before. I get a thrill out of being able help patients start this “new life.” My approach to care involves listening to what the patient wants out of the surgery, educating them about various treatment options and performing a full evaluation. Then, I work with the patient to come up with a treatment plan that meets their physical and mental health needs. Dr. Sudan is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Gastrectomy. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Obesity, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Gastric Bypass, and Gallbladder Removal.