Dr. Mark Kadowaki and Dr. Scott Otto know that experience counts. Since 2003, when Dr. Kadowaki performed the first completely laparoscopic bariatric procedure in Lake County, these two doctors have been dedicated to a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of the morbidly obese patient. The procedures they perform are completed entirely laparoscopically with the associated decreased risk of complications (such as wound problems and hernias) and with less pain and quicker recovery compared to other techniques. As opposed to other procedures which can be described as either "open" or "laparoscopic assisted" or "minimally invasive" a completely laparoscopic approach is performed with no incision larger than approximately 1 1/2 inches.

Employing a multidisciplinary approach involves making available to the patient a full range of services including dietary support, physical therapy and athletic training, psychological support, full nursing and medical care including other medical specialists such as gastroenterologists, cardiologists and pulmonologists, and a support group dedicated complete to our bariatric patients which meets on a biweekly basis.

As a leader in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, our practice was represented by Dr. Kadowaki in a recent segment of Healthbeat on ABC News.

Mark H. Kadowaki, MD, FACS 
Dr. Kadowaki has been practicing laparoscopic surgery in Lake County since 1992. Born and raised in Chicago, he attended Loyola University where he graduated with Honors. He attended the University of Chicago for medical school and graduated with an M.D. with Honors and a MS degree in Pathology. He completed his surgical residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Dr. Kadowaki served as a general surgeon and Director of the Critical Care Unit in the Navy at Great Lakes Medical Center before entering private practice. He is currently on staff at Condell Medical Center, Lake Forest Hospital, and Highland Park Hospital/ENH. At Condell Medical Center he has served as Director of Trauma and Chief of Surgery and is currently a member of the Medical Executive Committee and has recently been named Medical Director for the Bariatric Surgery Program.

Scott C. Otto, M.D. 
Dr. Otto grew up in the Chicago area. He attended the University of Denver for undergraduate studies and attended Rush Medical College in Chicago where he obtained his M.D.

Dr Otto is currently on staff at Condell Medical Center where he performs general, laparoscopic, and bariatric surgery. Dr Otto has been involved with bariatric surgery since 1998 and has been on staff and performing laparoscopic bariatric surgery at Condell Medical Center since 2002.