Expertise of Christian Birkedal, MD

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Biography

For more information, click here to visit our Bariatric Surgery website.

Prior to joining AdventHealth Daytona Beach, Dr. Birkedal served as the medical director of the Wound Treatment Center and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee.

Dr. Christian Birkedal now serves as the medical director of bariatric services at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, a 239-bed hospital in Daytona Beach.

What You Should Know About Bariatric Surgery

Have you been battling obesity and are ready to live a healthier, more fulfilling life? Dr. Christian Birkedal and his staff are here to help you attain your weight loss and improved health-related goals. We offer both surgical and non-surgical weight loss options. Whether you simply need some help getting back on track with the knowledgeable direction from our medical weight loss team, or if you are interested in a surgical approach, we develop a plan specific to each patient’s needs and goals to help them on their path to a healthier life. Our team is committed to long-term weight loss management and is here to support you as you conquer your weight loss goals.

Medically Supervised Weight Loss

Diets do not work. We sit down with each patient and analyze their current nutritional intake and physical activity level; then we formulate a nutritional plan that serves as a blueprint for their success whether they do or do not have weight loss surgery. Through our nutrition and wellness appointments our patients are educated about dietary intake, physical activity, behavior modification, and strategies to implement their changes as a new lifestyle and not a diet.

Surgical Weight Loss

If medically supervised weight loss has not provided you with the results you desire, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. While each insurance company has different requirements for patients to qualify for surgery, most require a patient to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 and have a co-morbidity like diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension, or a BMI greater than 40 without a co-morbidity. Our experienced team will explore your insurance benefits to determine if your insurance company covers weight loss surgery and what requirements you must meet. For further information on what your current BMI is click here.

Dr. Birkedal offers the following surgical weight loss options:

Sleeve Gastrectomy / Gastric Sleeve - This laparoscopic procedure is performed through several small incisions through the patient’s abdomen. Surgically, 75-85% of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a smaller gastric pouch that restricts the amount of food consumed. The gastric sleeve procedure works in two ways; first it limits how much food can be eaten at one sitting. Second, by removing the portion of the stomach that produces a hormone called ghrelin, which regulates a person’s hunger, people will feel less hungry and will feel fuller faster.

Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass - The gastric bypass, or Roux-en Y gastric bypass, is a procedure that creates a smaller pouch from a patient’s stomach and then reroutes the intestines. When the intestines are rerouted the body digests and absorbs food differently. This change in addition to a smaller pouch requiring the patient to eat less and feel fuller, results in weight loss.

Surgical Outcomes

Metabolic and bariatric surgery can lead to the improvement or resolution of various obesity-related co-morbid conditions, including but not limited to:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Hypertension
  • Type 2 diabetes


    Additional outcomes are possible and will be discussed during your initial consultation with Dr. Birkedal.

    Services

  • Single incision surgery
  • Minimally invasive breast surgery
  • Colon surgery
  • Minimally invasive hernia surgery
  • Thyroid and endocrine surgery
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Skin grafts, flaps, and advanced wound care
  • Personal Interests

    Triathlons, mountain biking, adventure racing

    Care Philosophy

    As a bariatric and general surgeon, Dr. Birkedal believes it is important to treat patients the way he would treat his own wife and family. With compassion and understanding, he joins you in your journey to embrace a healthy lifestyle. He considers it a blessing, and his true calling, to care for you and help improve your health.

    Awards & Recognitions
    Physician of the Quarter 2012
    Areas Served
    Daytona Beach, FL | Orange City, FL | Tavares, FL
    Languages Spoken
    Danish, English
    Education

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Residencies

    General Surgery at Montclair Baptist Medical Center

    Medical Organization Memberships and Committees

    American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

    Board Certification

    Surgery: The American Board of Surgery

    Ages Accepted
    Newborns
    Infants
    Children
    Adolescents
    Adults
    Geriatrics

    Insurances accepted by Christian Birkedal, MD

    Disclaimer:

    The list below is for reference purposes only and is subject to change. Please check with your health plan to confirm that this doctor is included before scheduling an appointment.

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    • AdventHealth Advantage Plan
    • Aetna
    • Allegiance
    • Blue Cross/Blue Shield
    • Cigna
    • GHI
    • Health First Health Plans
    • Humana
    • Medicaid
    • Medicare
    • Optum VA
    • Oscar Health
    Show More Insurances

    Reviews and Comments for Christian Birkedal, MD

    4.9stars rating (339reviews)

    Note:

    Ratings are collected through our partner Press Ganey and are screened to ensure patient privacy. AdventHealth does not manipulate scores, pay for ratings or compensate patients in any way. For any questions about ratings please contact us.

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    Question: What locations does Christian Birkedal, MD practice at?
    Answer: Christian Birkedal, MD practices at Daytona Beach at 305 Memorial Medical Parkway, Suite 205, Daytona Beach, FL, 32117, Orange City at 1061 Medical Center Drive, Suite 201, Orange City, FL, 32763, Tavares at 3310 Waterman Way, Tavares, FL and 32778. Learn more about Christian Birkedal, MD at AdventHealth.
    Question: What is Christian Birkedal, MD's specialty?
    Answer: Christian Birkedal, MD specializes in Bariatric Surgery. Learn more about Christian Birkedal, MD at AdventHealth.
    Question: What insurance does Christian Birkedal, MD accept?
    Answer: Christian Birkedal, MD accepts AdventHealth Advantage Plan, Aetna, Allegiance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, GHI, Health First Health Plans, Humana, Medicaid, Medicare, Optum VA, Oscar Health, Staywell, Tri-Care and United Healthcare. This list is for reference purposes only and is subject to change. Please check with your health plan to confirm that this doctor is included before scheduling an appointment. Learn more about Christian Birkedal, MD at AdventHealth.
    Question: What conditions does Christian Birkedal, MD treat?
    Answer: Christian Birkedal, MD treats the following conditions: Appendix. Learn more about Christian Birkedal, MD at AdventHealth.
    Question: What health services does Christian Birkedal, MD provide?
    Answer: Christian Birkedal, MD provides Bariatric and Weight Care services. Learn more about Christian Birkedal, MD at AdventHealth.