A full work calendar does not have to push surgery off another year. From Bethesda, you can fly to South Miami for surgery with Dr. Reza Keshavarzi, a board-certified bariatric surgeon who guides your care from a complimentary consultation through 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, and some procedures also reroute part of the digestive tract. Smaller portions leave you feeling full, and hunger signals ease. Dr. K uses minimally invasive techniques, working through small incisions.
When your calendar is booked weeks out, a lean trip helps. Surgery takes place with us in South Miami. Reagan National is about 30 minutes from Bethesda via the George Washington Memorial Parkway without traffic, nonstop flights to MIA take about 2 and a half hours, and our office is about 17 minutes from the airport.
Bariatric surgery covers several procedures rather than one operation. Because Dr. K offers surgical, endoscopic and nonsurgical options, his recommendation is shaped by your health, not by a single technique.
| 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. |
A scale reading is only part of the picture. Dr. K considers your weight history, any health conditions linked to your weight, the approaches you have already tried and your readiness for the eating changes that come after surgery.
For some patients, a different first step makes more sense, like bringing a medical condition under control. Medical weight loss or an endoscopic procedure may come first.
Patients call Dr. Reza Keshavarzi Dr. K. He is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and the lead surgeon at Miami VIP Surgery. He performs the surgical and endoscopic procedures above and 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.
Being able to reach your surgeon matters once you are home. Several reviews describe Dr. K sharing his own cell number and checking in after patients returned, which helps when you are recovering in Bethesda or Chevy Chase, a flight away from South Miami.
Go over your history, goals and options with Dr. K. Consultations can be virtual, so this step happens before you book a flight.
You need medical clearances and an upper endoscopy, known as an EGD. Complete them with us or at an outside facility closer to home. When tests are ordered through our Miami clinic, results come back within 48 hours.
You start a pre-surgery diet, and weight loss injections stop at least two weeks before your operation. Our team guides you through each step and coordinates travel logistics, from lab coordination to hotel stays. Once testing is done, dates often open within the same month.
Dr. K performs your procedure and visits you during your hospital stay. Our team lets you know how long to plan to stay in the Miami area before you fly home.
Most patients are back at work 4 to 7 days after the procedure and do not lift more than 20 pounds while healing. Our website has stage-by-stage diet plans, and Dr. K remains reachable by phone and text.
Your first year of follow-up appointments is included in the gastric sleeve package, so the surgeon who performed your operation is the one following your progress.
Our gastric sleeve price is published up front, so you can start planning before you ever call. For other procedures, pricing depends on your plan and is reviewed 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
Not at all. Consultations are virtual, so you can meet Dr. K from home in Bethesda. Most patients make one trip to Miami, for the surgery itself, once the plan and testing are set.
The gastric sleeve package is $14,000 and includes the hospital stay, surgeon's fee, hospital fees and first-year follow-up. Cherry financing is available. Pricing for other procedures is reviewed at your consultation.
A single disqualifier is uncommon. Dr. K looks at your health history, the medications you take, your medical clearances and your readiness for post-surgery eating changes. When surgery is not the best first step, medical weight loss or an endoscopic procedure can come first.
You can. The required medical clearances and upper endoscopy can be done with us or at an outside facility closer to home. Our team lists the tests you need and reviews the results with Dr. K.
Your starting weight, your procedure and how closely you follow the post-surgery diet all play a part. Weight tends to drop fastest in the first months after surgery. At your consultation, Dr. K gives you a realistic estimate for your procedure.
Injections must stop at least two weeks before surgery. Dr. K can also help you decide whether medication, surgery or both suits your goals.
Fit the first step between meetings. Book a complimentary virtual consultation from Bethesda and finish knowing which procedure fits, which tests you need and when surgery could happen.
