From the first call to the last follow-up, one surgeon handles your care. That is why people in Gladwyne and across Lower Merion choose to fly to South Miami for surgery with Dr. Reza Keshavarzi, a board-certified bariatric surgeon who guides you 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 shrinks the stomach, and some procedures also reroute part of the digestive tract. You feel full on much smaller portions, and hunger signals grow quieter. Dr. K uses minimally invasive techniques, working through small incisions.
Having one surgeon who knows your case from the first call to the last follow-up visit is the reason for the trip. From Gladwyne, it is about 28 minutes via I-76 E to Philadelphia International Airport, then a nonstop flight of just under 3 hours to Miami International. Our South Miami office is about 17 minutes (12 miles) from MIA.
There is no single bariatric operation. The term covers several procedures, and Dr. K offers surgical, endoscopic and nonsurgical choices, so your health guides the recommendation instead of 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. |
The scale 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 new eating habits that come after surgery.
For some patients, another step makes sense first, like bringing a medical condition under 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 the lead surgeon at Miami VIP Surgery. He performs the surgical and endoscopic procedures described above and directs 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.
Reviews often point to how reachable he is. Several describe Dr. K sharing his own cell number and checking in after they got home, which helps when you are recovering back on the Main Line, a flight away from Miami.
Go over your health history, goals and options with Dr. K. Consultations can be virtual, so this step takes place from home before you book any flight.
You need medical clearances and an upper endoscopy, known as an EGD. These can be done with us or at an outside facility closer to home. When results are ordered through our Miami clinic, they come back within 48 hours.
A pre-surgery diet gets your body ready, and any weight loss injections stop at least two weeks before the operation. Our team guides you along the way, and surgery dates often open within the same month once testing is done.
Dr. K performs your procedure and checks on you during your hospital stay. Our team tells you how long to plan to remain in the Miami area before you fly home to Philadelphia.
Most patients are back at work 4 to 7 days after the procedure, and you avoid lifting anything over 20 pounds while you heal. Our website has stage-by-stage diet plans, and Dr. K stays reachable by phone and text.
Your first year of follow-up appointments comes with the gastric sleeve package, so the surgeon who performed your operation is the same one watching your progress.
Our gastric sleeve price is published openly, so you can budget before you ever call. Other procedures are priced based on your plan, and we review that cost 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 offered virtually, so you can talk with Dr. K from your own living room. The trip to South Miami comes later, for the surgery itself, once your 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.
Usually no single factor rules you out. Dr. K looks at your health history, the medications you take, your medical clearances and how ready you are for the eating changes after surgery. 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 completed with us or at an outside facility closer to home. Our team lets you know which tests to schedule and goes over the results with Dr. K.
Results vary with your starting weight, the procedure you have and how closely you stick to the post-surgery diet. Weight usually drops fastest in the first months after surgery. At your consultation, Dr. K gives you a realistic estimate for your procedure.
GLP-1 injections have to stop at least two weeks before surgery. Dr. K can also help you decide whether medication, surgery or both suits your goals.
Start with the surgeon who will see you through to your last follow-up. Book a complimentary virtual consultation from home in Gladwyne or anywhere along the Main Line, and leave knowing which procedure fits, which tests you need and when surgery could happen.
