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Emeka J. Acholonu

Emeka J. Acholonu, MD

Bariatric Surgery

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking
Need help scheduling? Call 888-847-8823

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adults (18+ years)

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Affiliations

  • Virtua Medical Group

About Emeka J. Acholonu

Professional Statement

Emeka Acholonu, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is a highly experienced bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist with Virtua’s Complete Weight Management Program. Dr. Acholonu is trained in the latest minimally invasive bariatric procedures, including Magnetic Compression Anastomosis Technology for magnetic duodeno-ileostomy surgery. A graduate of the University of Nigeria Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Acholonu completed his internship and residency at Howard University Hospital, followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. A member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, he has published numerous studies on weight-loss procedures. Patients praise Dr. Acholonu for his professionalism, attentiveness, and kindness. They describe him as personable and caring and note that he listens to their concerns and provides clear guidance for their weight loss. Many mention that the office staff also is friendly and supportive, contributing to a comfortable experience. Outside of medicine, Dr. Acholonu enjoys soccer, traveling, and hiking. Read how Dr. Acholonu helped mother-daughter duo Denise Rubba and Jessica Bozarth improve their lives through weight-loss surgery.

Locations

  1. Virtua Complete Weight Management Program - Sewell
    • 239 Hurffville Crosskeys Road, Suite 355B, Sewell, NJ 08080
    • Get Directions
  2. Virtua Complete Weight Management Program - Haddon Heights
    • 120 White Horse Pike, Suite 103C, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
    • Get Directions

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, Surgery, 2009
  • Internship/Residency: Howard University Hospital, General Surgery, 2008
  • Internship: Federal Medical Center, Rotating, 1997
  • Medical School: University of Nigeria Faculty of Medicine, MBBS, 1995

Board Certifications

  • Surgery (General Surgery): American Board of Surgery, 2009

Insurance

Please contact the doctor's office directly to confirm acceptance of insurance.
Search plans
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Assure Premier Plus
  • Aetna Managed Medicaid
  • Aetna Managed Medicare
  • Amerihealth
  • Amerihealth Administrator
  • Cigna
  • Cigna Managed Medicare
  • Clover Health
  • Horizon Blue Cross
  • Horizon Blue Cross Managed Medicare
  • Horizon Managed Medicaid
  • Horizon NJ Total Care
  • Humana Managed Medicare
  • Humana Military
  • IBC-Keystone
  • Independence Administrator
  • Independence Blue Cross
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • Meritain Health
  • Oxford
  • Trinity Health Pace
  • UMR Commercial
  • Uniformed Service Family Health Plan
  • United Healthcare
  • United Healthcare Managed Medicaid
  • United Healthcare Managed Medicare
  • Veterans Administration
  • Wellcare Managed Medicaid
  • Wellcare Managed Medicare

Ratings & Reviews

4.5 out of 5

244 ratings, 56 reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends?
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    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/4/2026

    Great welcoming staff.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/1/2026

    For him to have better bedside manner and wouldn't have an actual listening ear making assumptions.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/21/2026

    I know I'm in good hands.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/20/2026

    Everything was excellent.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/12/2026

    I have been seeing this provider for 10 years and he has always been the same.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/8/2026

    Very good experience

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    Overall I'd give Dr. A and his entire office an A+. They're very attentive, very knowledgeable, they are all super friendly. Most importantly Dr A is very passionate about his work and his patients. He makes sure to let his patients know that he's rooting for you to succeed and I love that. I will recommend this office to anyone without a doubt.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    Everyone was professional and caring

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    They forgot me and I sat there for a long time because there was somebody new on the desk. The receptionist was a doll. She was fabulous. That's the only person I can say that was really went out of her way. She is the greatest.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    My visit with the doctor was very pleasant. He was knowledgeable and we discussed the right plan for me, the plan which he thought was best for me and the steps that I needed to take to do what needs to be done. I was very thankful to be there with him and I look forward to working with him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/20/2026

    My doctor is very efficient and I appreciate being in his care. Thank you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/4/2026

    When i first got there the over all energy this place has is very welcoming an comfortable.Everyone that i spoke with was very professional an very nice i noticed everyone was smiling even the other patient's that was there i will be switching all of my health cares an doctors to Virtua

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/1/2026

    From the front desk staff to the provider himself, everyone and everything exceeded my expectations. I can't say enough how wonderful, efficient and accommodating every single person was.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/28/2026

    I am pleased with the care and respect I receive.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/30/2026

    I went in with zero knowledge on how this would work. I came out. I don't know that I felt totally qualified to start the program. I had to ask questions of people during the scheduling process because I wasn't sure what had happened and where it was. So I felt a little like I was, I don't know, a little bit A little bit less listened to than I should have been or I needed more information. Maybe my age does it. I don't know, but that's how I felt. Thank you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/24/2026

    The staff are fantastic and Dr. Acholonu is an excellent provider!

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/22/2026

    Need to switch provider Staff was wonderful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/22/2026

    Very professional and courteous from the time you walk in the door. And once they take you back to a room, they make me feel like family, remember little things that may not seem important,but makes you feel good that they remembered. You're not just a patient, you're a friend as well. At least thats how I feel at my appointment.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/21/2026

    Dr A doesn't sugar coat things, but is a caring man, and that's what I love most about him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/14/2026

    Great experience!! My husband went through this process and we had a great experience. So I knew this was where I wanted to go also!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/11/2026

    Dr. Acholonu always takes the time to listen and is a great doctor.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    I thought there would be more questions about how I have managed my weight in the past. And I thought more options would be presented to me. I was also lead to believe that preauthorization approvals were not and issue but apparently they are an issue.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/6/2025

    Dr. A is the best doctor around. Virtua and myself are very fortunate to have him help pave the way to living my best life.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/25/2025

    Excellent care

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/19/2025

    Dr. Acholonu was very easy to talk with and gave good feedback. I feel like I am in good hands with him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/21/2025

    She was the best great conversation n she remembered me n my history with cancer ver gentle to me

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/25/2025

    Extremely disappointed by the lack of patient care this doctor provided. Never once did he ask me my medical history, look at my records from my previous physician, take my vitals or discuss my past medical history including something significantly related to my weight which put me in the hospital for 8 days. All he talked about was weaning me off my medication since my BMI is now in the normal range. I explained that it is in the normal range at this time because of my medication and taking it away will be detrimental to me, but he didn't even listen to my concerns. He talked about a conference he went to last week that debunked that theory. I was so disappointed by how disengaged he was with a patient and how textbook, empathetic, and less than thorough of a doctor he is. I left rather disgusted.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/12/2025

    What a fantastic office. From the dr to the staff so friendly and go above and beyond. I recommend them to all the people I know

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/11/2025

    Love Dr A! He's the best.

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/1/2025

    The office staff was nice but l really couldn't understand the provider with his accent. I feel like he rushed me through the appointment and didn't really explain the process that well. I did my own research and hopefully that will be enough. Provider was awkward in many ways. The receptionist l think said she will reach out to my insurance to see if this zepbound is covered. I walked away from the appointment unsure of the process.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/1/2025

    The distance to the facility was somewhat far from my home base (I scheduled a closer facility for my next visit). No fault to the doctor, but there was language barrier that made our conversation a bit awkward.The doctor was very pleasant and friendly to me as we attempted to make sure that I had the correct information needed on my visit. I feel my next visit will be a little more relaxed and I can be more confident with my experience in this situation.

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/24/2025

    that improve the quality of life and improve the way we talk to people.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/4/2025

    Dr. Acholonu and his staff are magnificent. It's a friendly environment and everyone made you feel comfortable, welcome and at ease.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/3/2025

    Pleasurable great experience.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/27/2025

    Everyone was professional, caring, and listened.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/20/2025

    The provider I saw, for the first time, Dr. Acholonu, was wonderful. He truly listened to me and all the concerns I brought up, took what I had said into consideration, and demonstrated compassion, humility and understanding. Offered me hope !

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/18/2025

    The staff was very courteous and attentive.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/13/2025

    All of the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. The facility was clean and the ambience was nice.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/14/2025

    The receptionist and nurse were especially sweet and friendly

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/9/2025

    The whole medical staff treated me respectfully and answered all of my questions. All staff was professional and knowledgeable. I would recommend them to all my friends and family.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/2/2025

    I was expecting to have a more depth conversation with the doctor, I sort of felt rushed

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/30/2025

    I did not feel welcome in the office. The doctor was not warm. I felt like he was barking orders at me. His front office assistant felt the same way.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/23/2025

    I was supposed to receive a follow up call today and still have not heard from them.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/23/2025

    It has been about 5 years since I have seen Dr A. He is a great doctor and he doesn't sugar coat anything, but is kind and compassionate, which is why I needed to go back to him.

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/19/2025

    I drove 30 minutes while I was working because this provider was recommended to me. I've been struggling immensely with my weight. The provider told me he was limited to 5 medications to prescribe. He wanted to prescribe me a medicine that can worsen anxiety, nervousness, and heart palpitations and said that was my only option. When I said I couldn't take that he just let me leave and it was a waste of a visit. I left the office in tears.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/18/2025

    They treated me like family, always treated me like family.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/16/2025

    Timely appointments, no long wait to see Drs.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/5/2025

    Love Dr. Acholonu! He's a great doctor and really takes the time to listen to and and answer all of my questions.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/5/2025

    They are the best.

    1 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/5/2025

    Dr. Had no empathy and was very rigid.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/19/2025

    Excellent all the way around the board

    2 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/27/2025

    The doctor was 30 minutes late for one of the first appointments of the day therefore I was late getting back to work Very disrespectful of my time

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/23/2025

    When I walked in to make the appointment, the attendant at the front desk was very, very friendly, awesomely receptive, and helped me out extremely with a very fast appointment. The doctor was very knowledgeable. We talked about my care thoroughly. He was very sensitive and very helpful. And I am definitely looking forward to my follow-up visits and would definitely recommend this person again to someone else.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/21/2025

    Te tratan bien son amables y te responden cualquier pregunta

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/21/2025

    I wanted the bmi to be explained more to me . He told me the age and body fat was all I needed to understand. I have sleep apnea . My research showed me I could be covered under Medicare .I didn't get the feeling it would be checked.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/2/2025

    My appointment was at 3:15 and I wasn't seen until 3:50 maybe. Just for the doctor to come in and barely listen to anything I said.. I was over all not pleased with how my appointment went. He would ask me questions and cut me off mid sentence. I did not feel like the appointment was worth me leaving work to come to could've been done on video.