Dr. Lael Elizabeth Forbes earned her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. She received her General Surgery training at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, also in New York City. She completed her fellowship training in Advanced Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery at the world-renowned European Institute of Tele-surgery (IRCAD) in Strasbourg, France. As a fellow at IRCAD, Dr. Forbes published articles for both American and international journals, proctored hundreds of surgeons from all over the world in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques, and was a member of the original editing team of WeBSurg, the internationally acclaimed internet teaching site for surgical education.

Dr. Forbes has been an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Attending Bariatric Surgeon in academic practice since 2004. She co-founded a National Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery at the University at Buffalo-SUNY and was Co-Medical Director there for 5 years. Just prior to joining New York Bariatric Group, Dr. Forbes was at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s National Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, which she had joined in 2009. During her 7 years at the University of Rochester, Dr. Forbes was promoted to Associate Professor of Surgery.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Forbes has taught many medical students, surgery residents and fellows the science and skills of surgery. Dr. Forbes has lectured regionally and has organized and conducted interdisciplinary clinical research studies regarding obesity and bariatric surgery. Dr. Forbes has performed over 1,500 Bariatric Surgery procedures including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding and revision.