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Nawfal W Istfan

Nawfal W Istfan, MD, PhD

Internal Medicine

Mass General Brigham

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adults
  • Geriatrics

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

About Nawfal W Istfan

Nawfal W. Istfan, MD, PhD is an Attending Physician in the Center for Weight Management and Wellness (CWMW) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut and completed his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. He has been actively involved in clinical research and medical practice for the past 30 years.

His past research interests have focused on metabolic regulation of nutrients including protein, fat and omega-3 fatty acids and their role in cancer cell proliferation. His current research is primarily related the metabolic problems that accompany obesity such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Of particular importance is understanding how the body handles excessive nutrient loads and how acute overfeeding contributes to disease and cardiovascular risk.

Dr. Istfan has practiced obesity medicine and weight management for the past 25 years. He has vast experience in helping patients improve their metabolic health by diet and use of pharmacologic agents. His most recent publications have focused on the problem of weight regain and racial disparities after bariatric surgery. He has specific expertise in helping patients prevent and reduce weight regain following successful weight loss.

Locations

  1. Brigham and Women's Center for Weight Management and Wellness
  2. Brigham and Women's Center for Weight Management and Wellness

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: New England Deaconess Hospital, Clinical Nutrition, 1982
  • Residency: American U. of Beirut Med Ctr., Internal Medicine, 1979
  • Medical Education: American University - Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, 1977
  • Internship: American U. of Beirut Med Ctr., Internal Medicine, 1977

Insurance

Search plans
  • Aetna
  • Beech Street
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
  • Cigna
  • Commonwealth Care Alliance
  • Coventry
  • Fallon Health
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Humana
  • Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  • MassHealth
  • Medicaid CT
  • Medicare
  • Multiplan
  • Senior Whole Health
  • TriCare
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • Tufts Medicare Preferred
  • United Health Care
  • Wellpoint
  • WellSense

Ratings & Reviews

4.7 out of 5

95 ratings, 32 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.

Search reviews
  • Reviewed on 5/12/2026

    I appreciate his experience in this field.

  • Reviewed on 5/8/2026

    Dr. Istfan is a very understanding and caring doctor.

  • Reviewed on 5/7/2026

    None, Keep up the great work.

  • Reviewed on 4/23/2026

    Dr. Istfan is always professional, knowledgeable and willing to listen. He always asks if I have any questions or concerns.

  • Reviewed on 4/17/2026

    Responsive and thorough

  • Reviewed on 4/15/2026

    I've always had great experience with all the physicians. I love the high standards in care that we get from BW

  • Reviewed on 4/8/2026

    Listens carefully with followup questions. Very professional.

  • Reviewed on 4/8/2026

    Dr. ISTFAN was very easy to talk to and answered all my questions

  • Reviewed on 3/13/2026

    He's very prompt and always is up to date on my medical history and the office calls me in a timely manner to make follow-up appointments.

  • Reviewed on 3/11/2026

    Always available to answer questions/concerns.

  • Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    First time meeting, have not formed opinions yet

  • Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    Efficient

  • Reviewed on 1/30/2026

    Dr Istfan was very professional and easy to talk to about my concerns. He answered all my questions and I look forward to seeing him again.

  • Reviewed on 1/16/2026

    Dr. Istfan is always attentive and listens carefully and gives great responses.

  • Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    Thanks

  • Reviewed on 12/11/2025

    Dr. Istfan gave me solid advice, listened to me, treated me like an intelligent person and was very knowledgeable. Office support was great as well. [redacted]

  • Reviewed on 12/9/2025

    He has been helpful and he can be dismissive. I feel like he might have a lot of patients and need to get on to his next meeting. At the same time he has said that I can call him if needed.

  • Reviewed on 11/25/2025

    Dr Istfan is understanding and is proactive. I'm very happy he is my medical provider.

  • Reviewed on 11/13/2025

    Visit was short and focused on telling me what to do more than on collaboration.

  • Reviewed on 11/5/2025

    Attentive, compassionate, knowledgeable, friendly and supportive

  • Reviewed on 10/30/2025

    Very concise and to the point which I appreciate.

  • Reviewed on 9/30/2025

    I haven't received info to follow up with blood test and blood sugar levels? But he did as I remember i can walk in for which I will do

  • Reviewed on 9/26/2025

    I'd just like to say that I'm on prescriptions that found 15 milligrams and I was having trouble with CVS and I did talk to the doctor about it. He did assure me that his staff was going to get a pre-approval because it did run out, I guess. And I don't know if that ever happened. I ended up calling my PCP and ended up getting it that way. So that's the only complaint they have. I just did not get a response on getting my description pre-approved through to CVS.

  • Reviewed on 9/25/2025

    I just happy with my provider. He always answer any concerns I have regarding my treatment. I also appreciated the team who always work with me on my journey.

  • Reviewed on 9/25/2025

    This was my first initial visit...was very satisfied and look forward to subsequent followup visits. Appreciatied his willingness to be available for questions or concerns.

  • Reviewed on 9/17/2025

    I have been seeing Dr Istfan for a year. Our meetings are the same message every time. He asks me the same questions- what are you eating and what are you exercising. When I tell him and add that this is not the issue, he tells me he does not know why I am not losing weight and recommends bariatric consults without digging deeper.

  • Reviewed on 9/10/2025

    He is thoroughly knowledgeable about the subject of my concerns.

  • Reviewed on 8/28/2025

    Dr. Istfan is a wonderful Dr.

  • Reviewed on 8/21/2025

    Thoughtful and understanding provides tips to assist with my health care

  • Reviewed on 8/20/2025

    I wish I had thought of better questions to ask my provider.

  • Reviewed on 8/13/2025

    Very quick and matter of fact

  • Reviewed on 7/23/2025

    He focuses on wellbeing of patients. He asks about discomforts, pains, unusual events etc.