Dr. Reza Keshavarzi is a board-certified bariatric surgeon in South Miami, and Marco Island patients make the trip to have him perform their surgery. He guides your care from a complimentary consultation all the way 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
These procedures shrink the size of the stomach. Some also reroute part of the digestive tract. The result is that smaller meals leave you satisfied and hunger feels quieter. Dr. K uses minimally invasive methods, working through small incisions.
Your surgery happens at our South Miami office, about two hours from Marco Island by way of US-41 S, the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades. People choose this drive so that one surgeon knows their story from the very first talk to the final follow-up.
There is no single weight loss operation that suits everyone. Dr. K provides surgical, endoscopic and nonsurgical approaches, so your plan is built around your health 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. |
Your weight alone does not decide whether surgery is right for you. Dr. K considers how your weight has changed over time, related health conditions, past efforts to lose weight and how prepared you feel to change the way you eat after surgery.
For some people, surgery is not the place to begin. You may need to get a health condition under control first, or start with an endoscopic procedure or medical weight loss.

Patients call him Dr. K. Dr. Keshavarzi is board certified in bariatric surgery and serves as lead surgeon at Miami VIP Surgery. He performs each surgical and endoscopic procedure on this page 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 easy he is to reach. Several patients say Dr. K gave them his personal cell number and followed up after they got home. That kind of contact means a lot when you are healing about two hours away on Marco Island.
Start with a conversation with Dr. K about your health history, your goals and the options that fit. Consultations can be virtual, so you can do this before you ever make the drive.
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 are back within 48 hours.
Before surgery you follow a set diet, and weight loss injections must stop at least two weeks ahead of your operation. Our team helps you at every step. Once testing is finished, surgery dates often open within the same month.
Dr. K performs your operation and visits you during your hospital stay. Before you head back toward Naples and Marco Island, our team lets you know how long to remain in the Miami area.
Most people go back to work 4 to 7 days after surgery and avoid lifting anything over 20 pounds while healing. Our website lays out diet plans for each stage, and you can reach Dr. K by phone or text.
Your first year of follow-up appointments comes with the gastric sleeve package. That way, the surgeon who did your operation is the same one watching your progress.
Our gastric sleeve price is posted openly, so you can budget before you even call. Costs for other procedures vary by plan and are discussed during 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 without leaving home. The trip to South Miami comes later, for surgery, after 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.
It is uncommon for one factor alone to rule you out. Dr. K looks at your medical history, the medications you take, your clearances and how ready you are to change your eating after surgery. When surgery is not the best place to start, you may begin with an endoscopic procedure or medical weight loss.
Yes. Your medical clearances and upper endoscopy can be completed with us or at an outside facility closer to home. We tell you exactly which tests you need, and our team goes over the results with Dr. K.
That varies with your starting weight, the procedure you have and how well you stick to the diet after surgery. Most people lose weight most quickly in the early months. At your consultation, Dr. K gives 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 the two suits your goals.
Schedule a complimentary consultation from Marco Island and come away with a clear plan, including the right procedure, the tests you need and a likely timeline for surgery.