Prepare near home in Pinellas County, then cross the Skyway for surgery in South Miami with Dr. Reza Keshavarzi, a fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon who stays reachable on his own cell phone through recovery.
BeforeAfterEach photo set shows one of Dr. K's own patients before surgery and after weight loss. Results depend on the procedure, the starting weight and the habits built afterward.
Bariatric surgery1 of 3
Bariatric surgery changes the size or the route of the stomach, so smaller meals satisfy hunger and weight stays off where diets alone have not held.
The gastric sleeve is the procedure Dr. Keshavarzi specializes in. Working laparoscopically through a few small ports, he removes the larger outer curve of the stomach and leaves a narrow tube. A gastric bypass instead creates a small pouch and routes food past part of the small intestine.
For a St. Petersburg patient, the operation happens in South Miami, but the work around it does not have to. Testing, the pre-surgery diet and most of recovery take place at home, with our team a phone call or a text away.
Dr. K performs or oversees every option below, so his recommendation follows your health and goals, not the one procedure a program happens to offer.
| Option | How it works | Often considered when |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric sleeve | Most of the stomach is removed laparoscopically, leaving a narrow sleeve. | You want one operation that reduces both portion size and appetite. |
| Low BMI Mini Sleeve | A sleeve procedure planned for patients with a lower BMI. | Diet and medication have not worked, even with less weight to lose. |
| Teen gastric sleeve | A gastric sleeve for adolescents aged 14 to 17. | A teen's weight is affecting health and other approaches have not helped. |
| Gastric bypass | A small stomach pouch joined to a lower part of the small intestine. | Your health history points Dr. K toward it at consultation. |
| Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty | Sutures placed through an endoscope narrow the stomach from the inside. | You want a procedure without incisions. |
| ORBERA gastric balloon | A temporary balloon in the stomach helps you feel full sooner. | You want a nonsurgical first step. |
| Medical weight loss | A personalized plan that can include GLP-1 injections and coaching. | You want to start without a procedure, or need support after one. |
Each step is tagged with where it happens, so you can see how few of them need the drive south.
Dr. K reviews your weight history, health conditions and goals himself, then recommends a procedure. You leave knowing the plan and the price.
Medical clearances and an upper endoscopy are required. You can complete them with doctors close to home, or have Dr. Keshavarzi perform the endoscopy.
A pre-surgery diet prepares your body for the operation. Our team sends your documents by text, and you can reply the same way with questions.
Dr. K performs your procedure. With the sleeve package, the hospital stay and every hospital-related fee are already covered.
You recover at home on a staged diet, walking a little farther each day. Dr. K checks in with you once you are back.
Follow-up visits for the first year come with the sleeve package, and Dr. K stays reachable by phone between them.
Dr. Reza Keshavarzi, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Dr. K is our lead surgeon. He meets each patient at consultation, performs the operation and follows progress through the first year, so one surgeon knows your case from start to finish.
Living four hours away, you need a surgeon you can reach. Dr. K contacts patients from his personal cell phone, and several of his reviews mention it.
He has been there the whole process, provided his cell phone to make sure he could be reached at all hours.
Yesi, Google review
Dr. Keshavarzi explained every detail of the surgery from getting prepared, to the actual day of surgery, and beyond.
Hannah S., Google review
Dr. K really cares, he's with you every step of the way.
Diane S., Google review
The gastric sleeve has one published package price, which makes the trip from Pinellas County easier to budget. Pricing for the bypass, ESG, balloon and medical weight loss is given at your consultation.
When Dr. Keshavarzi performs your pre-surgery endoscopy, the procedure is part of your overall cost and a $750 hospital fee applies. Travel and lodging are not included.
Debit and credit cards are accepted for the remaining balance. Full terms are on our financing page.
The surgery limits portions. Protein-first meals, daily movement and regular check-ins decide how much weight stays off, and Dr. K keeps the same active routine he asks of patients.
These services keep that support going from your first week back in St. Pete through the years after.
Yes. Patients from St. Petersburg prepare near home and travel to South Miami for surgery. Between visits, our team stays in touch by phone and text.
The drive is about four hours, crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and following I-75 south. Some patients fly from Tampa International to Miami instead, which takes about an hour. Plan for someone else to drive you after surgery.
Dr. K looks at your weight history, any weight-related health conditions and what you have already tried. Patients with less weight to lose may suit the Low BMI Mini Sleeve, and teens aged 14 to 17 can be evaluated for a teen gastric sleeve. Your consultation ends with a clear answer.
It depends on your starting weight, how closely you follow the post-surgery diet and how active you are. Weight usually comes off fastest in the first months after a sleeve. Dr. K gives you an estimate based on your own numbers at consultation.
Prices vary by surgeon, procedure and what the fee includes. Our gastric sleeve package is $14,000 and covers the hospital stay, surgeon's fee, hospital-related fees and first-year follow-up visits. Cherry financing offers 24 months at 0% interest.
Yes. The ORBERA gastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty involve no incisions, and medical weight loss can include GLP-1 injections with coaching. Dr. K explains how each one compares with surgery for your goals.
Find out which procedure fits your health, what it costs and how to arrange your testing near St. Petersburg.
7330 SW 62nd Pl STE 210
South Miami, FL 33143
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday and Sunday, closed
