Dr. Walter Chlysta is a bariatric and general surgeon that serves patients at 1900 23rd Street, Suite 403 in Cuyahoga Falls.

When did you decide to become a physician?

When I was in grade school my uncle was an internist and there were two dentists in the family, so I was exposed to the medical field somewhat at a young age. This piqued my interest.

What do you provide or patients?

My main areas of focus are foregut surgery (hiatal hernia repair, anti-reflux procedures), weight loss surgery and colon surgery. In addition, I manage the common core conditions of general surgery which includes hernias, gallbladder issues and ER emergencies (appendicitis, bowel obstructions/perforations, ulcers, surgical infections, etc.)

What led you to bariatric surgery?

I became interested in bariatric surgery because I very much enjoy seeing the results and the actual procedures themselves and it is closely related to foregut surgery.

What are some of your interests outside of medicine?

My main priority is my wife and three girls. The girls are growing up so they are starting to have their own interests. My wife of 26 years is indescribably wonderful. She is a RN and helps out in the office when needed.

I love music and play guitar and (a little) piano. I am a guitarist in two bands composed of the same five guys. One band , “Back and Forth” is a Foo Fighters tribute band and the other, “Lost Nation” is a cover band actually named by one of our OR nurses here at WRH. We play locally and regionally.

I also like to look for gold out West or in Alaska (been there once). It is peaceful in nature near a river and is a good workout. It involves a lot of digging.