From Windermere and the Butler Chain of Lakes, patients come to South Miami for surgery with Dr. Reza Keshavarzi. He is a board-certified bariatric surgeon who guides your care from a complimentary consultation to the end of your first year of follow-up.
Each pair is one of our own patients, photographed before surgery and again after weight loss. Results vary from patient to patient.
Bariatric surgery, 1 of 6
Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach. Some procedures also reroute part of the digestive tract. Smaller meals then fill you up, and hunger becomes easier to manage. Dr. K uses minimally invasive techniques, working through small incisions.
If you live in Windermere, your surgery takes place with our team in South Miami, just under four hours away on Florida's Turnpike. People choose that drive so one surgeon can follow their case from the very first talk to the final follow-up visit.
There is no single bariatric operation. The term covers several procedures. Dr. K offers surgical, endoscopic and nonsurgical paths, so what he recommends is shaped by your health, not by one preferred method.
| Procedure | Approach | How It Works | Often Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | Surgical | Removes most of the stomach, leaving a narrow sleeve that holds less food and produces less of the hormone that drives hunger. | Adults with obesity and related conditions such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea. |
| Low BMI "Mini Sleeve" | Surgical | A sleeve gastrectomy planned for patients carrying less excess weight. | Patients with a BMI of 25 to 30. |
| Teen Gastric Sleeve | Surgical | A sleeve gastrectomy with care planned around a body that is still growing. | Adolescents aged 14 to 17. |
| Gastric Bypass | Surgical | Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes part of the small intestine, limiting both how much you eat and how much you absorb. | Patients with more weight to lose, severe reflux or harder-to-control diabetes. |
| Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty | Endoscopic | Stitches the stomach smaller from the inside with an endoscope passed through the mouth, with no external incisions. | Patients who want a smaller stomach without surgery. |
| ORBERA Gastric Balloon | Endoscopic | A temporary balloon placed in the stomach so you feel full sooner while new habits take hold. | Patients who want a nonsurgical start. |
| Medical Weight Loss | Nonsurgical | Personalized plans from our weight loss specialists that can include weight loss injections. | Patients not ready for a procedure, or who want support before or after one. |
Your weight alone does not decide whether you qualify. Dr. K considers how your weight has changed over time, the conditions linked to it, the approaches you have already tried and how prepared you are for the new way of eating after surgery.
For some people, another step makes sense first, like bringing a health condition under better control. Medical weight loss or an endoscopic procedure may come before surgery.
Dr. Reza Keshavarzi, whom patients call Dr. K, is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and serves as lead surgeon at Miami VIP Surgery. He performs each of the surgical and endoscopic procedures described above and also oversees our medical weight loss program.
He earned his medical degree with High Distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisville. He completed his surgical residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital and a fellowship in laparoscopic, bariatric and robotic surgery at Jackson South Medical Center.
Patients often say how easy he is to reach. Several reviews mention Dr. K giving out his own cell number and checking in after they got home. That kind of access counts when you are healing back in Windermere, nearly four hours north.
Start by sharing your history, goals and questions with Dr. K. Consultations can be virtual, so this first step happens before you plan any travel.
You will need medical clearances and an upper endoscopy, also called an EGD. These can be done with us or at an outside facility closer to home. Results ordered through our Miami clinic come back within 48 hours.
Before surgery you follow a special diet, and any weight loss injections must stop at least two weeks ahead. Our team guides you along the way. Once testing is done, surgery dates often open within the same month.
Dr. K performs your operation and visits you during your hospital stay. Before you head back up the Turnpike, our team lets you know how long to remain in the Miami area.
Most people are back at work 4 to 7 days after surgery. While you heal, avoid lifting anything over 20 pounds. Our website lays out each stage of the diet, and you can reach Dr. K by phone or text.
Your gastric sleeve package includes follow-up visits for the first year, so the same surgeon who did your operation keeps track of how you are doing.
Our gastric sleeve price is posted openly, so you can budget before you ever call. Costs for other procedures vary with your plan, and we go over them at your consultation.
One price covering:
Patients who find the cost of surgery difficult can ask about a special package that starts at $12,500.
Your consultation with Dr. K is complimentary.
★★★★★4.9 average from 96 Google reviews
"Dr. Keshavarzi explained every detail of the surgery from getting prepared, to the actual day of surgery, and beyond."
Hannah S., Google review
"Dr. Keshavarzi was with us throughout the whole process and was even contacting us once home to see if everything was running smoothly."
Yerandis L., Google review
"From my 1st visit he made me feel at ease with my decision to pursue bariatric surgery."
Yesi, Google review
No. Consultations can be virtual, so you can meet Dr. K from your home in Windermere. The trip to South Miami comes later, for the surgery itself, once your plan and testing are complete.
Our gastric sleeve package is $14,000, including the hospital stay and first-year follow-up, and Cherry financing is available. Pricing for other procedures is reviewed at your consultation.
A single factor seldom rules you out. Dr. K looks at your medical history, the medications you take now, your medical clearances and how ready you are for new eating habits after surgery. When surgery is not the best place to begin, medical weight loss or an endoscopic procedure may come first.
Yes. Your required medical clearances and upper endoscopy can be done with us or at an outside facility closer to home. We let you know which tests you need and go over the results with Dr. K.
That varies with your starting weight, your procedure and how well you stick to the diet after surgery. Weight tends to drop fastest in the first few months. At your consultation, Dr. K will give you an honest estimate for your specific procedure.
You need to stop them at least two weeks before your operation. Dr. K can also help you decide whether medication, surgery or a mix of both suits your goals.
Book a complimentary consultation from Windermere and come away with a clear plan: the right procedure for you, the tests you need and when surgery could happen.
