You do not have to put your life on hold waiting for a surgery date. From Great Neck, 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.
Once testing is done, surgery dates often open within the same month, so a long wait is not part of the plan. Your trip starts with a drive of about 23 minutes via I-495 W to LaGuardia Airport without traffic, then a nonstop flight of about 3 hours to Miami International. Our South Miami office is about 17 minutes from MIA.
There is no single bariatric operation. The term covers a group of procedures. Dr. K offers surgical, endoscopic and nonsurgical options, so his recommendation is based on your health, not on one preferred 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. |
Your weight alone does not decide whether you qualify. Dr. K considers your weight history, any weight-related health conditions, the approaches you have already tried and how ready you are for the changes in eating that come after surgery.
For some people, the right starting point is different, like bringing a medical condition under control first. Medical weight loss or an endoscopic procedure may come before surgery.
Dr. 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 from patients describe Dr. K giving out his own cell number and checking in after they got home. That kind of access helps when you are healing back near Manhasset Bay, a flight away from Miami.
Start by going over your history, goals and options with Dr. K. Consultations can be virtual, so this step happens from home before you book any flight.
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. When results are ordered through our Miami clinic, they come back within 48 hours.
Next comes a pre-surgery diet, and any weight loss injections must stop at least two weeks before surgery. Our team guides you along the way, and once testing is done, dates often open within the same month.
Dr. K performs your surgery and visits you during your hospital stay. Our team lets you know how long to remain in the Miami area before your flight home.
Most patients are back at work 4 to 7 days after surgery and avoid lifting more than 20 pounds while they heal. Diet plans for each stage are on our website, and you can reach Dr. K by phone and text from home.
Your first year of follow-up appointments is included in the gastric sleeve package, so the surgeon who performed your operation keeps tracking your progress.
Our gastric sleeve price is listed openly, so you can start planning before you ever call. Other procedures are priced based on your plan, and we go over that 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. Your first conversation with Dr. K can be a virtual consultation from home in Great Neck. You make the trip to South Miami for the surgery itself, after your plan and testing are set.
A gastric sleeve with us is a $14,000 package, which includes the hospital stay and first-year follow-up. Cherry financing is available, and 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 prepared 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 clearances and upper endoscopy can be completed with us or at an outside facility closer to home. Our team lists which tests you need and goes over the results with Dr. K.
That varies with your starting weight, your procedure and how closely you stick to the post-surgery diet. The fastest loss usually happens in the first months. At your consultation, Dr. K gives you a realistic estimate for your procedure.
Plan to stop them at least two weeks before surgery. Dr. K can also help you decide whether medication, surgery or both suits your goals.
Ready to stop waiting on a surgery date? Book a complimentary virtual consultation from home in Great Neck and finish the call knowing which procedure fits, which tests you need and when surgery could happen.
