About Us
At the Louisiana Center for Bariatrics at Baton Rouge General, we help patients achieve successful outcomes through surgical and medical weight loss options. The center is led by Karalyn Bentley, MD, FACS, one of the only female fellowship-trained surgeons in minimally invasive, and bariatric surgery in Baton Rouge, Tuan Tran, MD, an advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgeon who specializes in bariatric and general surgery, and Drake Bellanger, MD, who specializes in obesity medicine and non-surgical weight loss interventions.
Weight Loss Surgery
Karalyn R. Bentley, MD, FACS
Dr. Karalyn Bentley uses the most advanced, minimally invasive robotic techniques for bariatric surgery, hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction, diseases of the esophagus and stomach, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and diseases of the colon. In addition to treating various types of hiatal hernias, Dr. Bentley specializes in bariatric surgery.
A board-certified general surgeon and graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Dr. Bentley completed her residency in general surgery at Methodist Dallas Medical Center followed by a fellowship in Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Society for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the American Hernia Society.
Medical Weight Loss
Drake Bellanger, MD
Dr. Drake Bellanger is one of the few physicians Board Certified in obesity medicine in the Baton Rouge region. His certification by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) signifies specialized knowledge in the practice of obesity medicine and care. He is also board certified in general surgery. Dr. Bellanger’s in-depth knowledge of weight loss from medicine to surgery provides him a unique perspective on helping patients achieve their personal goals.
Dr. Bellanger was born in Galliano, La., and was raised in Cut Off, both small communities along Bayou Lafourche in southeastern Louisiana. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana where he received his undergraduate degree in Biology/Chemistry. Dr. Bellanger was then accepted to L.S.U. Medical School in New Orleans and graduated in 1992 receiving his M.D. degree.
The next five years were spent training in the Surgical Residency Program at the University of South Alabama Hospitals. During his residency in the mid-1990s, Dr. Bellanger trained in Bariatric Surgery under the tutelage of Dr. Charles B. Rodning, MD, PhD, FICS, FACS.
Tuan Tran, MD
Dr. Tuan Tran is an advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgeon specializing in bariatric and general surgery. Using minimally invasive techniques, he is able to treat inguinal hernias, abdominal wall hernias, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gallbladders, colon diseases, and perform weight loss surgery.
Dr. Tran completed his general surgery residency at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and then underwent a rigorous Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship in Florida at AdventHealth Tampa. While in fellowship, he focused primarily on performing gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional bariatric surgery particularly converting sleeve gastrectomy to gastric bypass.
A New Iberia native, Dr. Tran completed his undergraduate degree at LSU in Baton Rouge and earned his medical degree at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
A board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Tran is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the American College of Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
Clinic Care Team
Alicia Brand, PA-C
Alicia Brand is a certified physician assistant certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of both the Louisiana Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University and her Master of Medical Science from Our Lady of the Lake College.
Alexa Bennett, RDN, LDN - Registered Dietitian
Alexa is a registered dietitian who specializes in working with weight loss surgery patients. Originally from Pittsburgh, she moved to Baton Rouge in 2015 to attend Louisiana State University. After graduating from LSU with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and food sciences, she completed a dietetic internship at Tulane University in New Orleans. Before joining Baton Rouge General, Alexa worked as a research dietitian at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, where she counseled patients participating in weight loss clinical trials.
Whitney Gilmore, RD, LDN - Registered Dietitian
Whitney is a Registered Dietitian who specializes in working with weight loss surgery patients and coordinates the Bariatric Program. Originally from Baton Rouge, she attended Nicholls State University and studied Culinary Arts and Dietetics. After graduating from Nicholls State with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts and Dietetics, she completed a dietetic internship at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Before joining Baton Rouge General, Whitney worked as a Bariatric Dietitian at Ochsner New Orleans, where she counseled patients seeking weight loss surgery.
Ashley Cripps, NP - Nurse Practitioner
Ashley Cripps is a family nurse practitioner with experience in emergency and surgical medicine. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Louisiana in Monroe and recently received a Master of Science in Nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Associations of Nurse Practitioners, and is certified by The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Contact Us
Complete the contact form or call (225) 763-4903 to connect with our team at Louisiana Center for Bariatrics.