Weight-loss Surgery Medical Director Anthony Gonzalez Appears on NBC’s Today Show
Hear from Ivannia Hernandez (pictured above) about how gastric bypass surgery helped her lose 150 pounds and renew her life. Ms. Hernandez and her surgeon, Anthony Gonzalez, M.D., medical director of South Miami Hospital’s Weight-loss Surgery Program, appeared on NBC's Today show.
Pictured: Accountant Patricia Ordiz lost 135 pounds after her weight-loss surgery.
When “overweight” becomes “obese.”
According to the American Obesity Association, nearly 9 million American men, 
women and children are severely obese. They are not just 20 or 30 pounds overweight, but are 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight.
This excess weight puts them at increased risk for medical, emotional, economic and social problems. If you are severely obese, you may face one or more of the following health problems:
Heart attack and angina.
High cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Sleep apnea or other breathing problems.
Varicose veins.
Infertility.
Interrupted menstrual cycle or unusual uterine bleeding.
Lower back pain.
Degenerative arthritis.
Stress urinary incontinence.
Increased risk of cancer (colorectal, prostate, breast, uterine and ovarian).
Depression or other mental health problems.
What is weight-loss surgery?
Obesity is on the rise in adults and children alike. For some, lifestyle change may help them control their weight. Those who are moderately overweight may have success with dieting. But diets are ineffective 99 percent of the time for those who are severely obese. For these individuals, surgery may be the solution.
Since 1991, the National Institutes of Health has supported weight-loss surgery — or bariatric surgery — as a viable treatment option for obesity. At South Miami Hospital, we offer three weight-loss surgery procedures:
- Gastric bypass - reduces the size of your stomach and reroutes the digestive system (the gold standard for bariatric surgery)
- Adjustable Gastric Band - reduces the volume of your stomach so food intake is restricted
- Gastric sleeve - reduces the volume of your stomach so food intake is restricted
Is this right for me?
The first step in determining whether weight-loss surgery is right for you is to consult a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery. For those considering Miami bariatric surgery, South Miami Hospital offers free monthly information sessions, both in English and Spanish. Theses sessions are for people considering weight-loss surgery to learn about the different procedures directly from a surgeon and understand the requirements. At the information session, you can sign up for a one-on-one consultation with the surgeon. See Information Seminars and Support Groups under Related Links for more information.
In the consultation, the doctor will explain the benefits and risks of the surgery and will discuss other, related issues to help you decide. Once you and your doctor agree that you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery, there are other factors to consider before choosing surgery. Depending on your health, some tests may be necessary.
As with any surgery, these procedures involve risks, including blood clots, hernias, leaks from the reduction of the stomach, incisions that won’t heal and even death. So it is important that you thoroughly examine and evaluate all the information about the surgery before making a decision.
In addition to the surgery itself, South Miami Hospital offers pre- and postsurgery counseling and testing. This is designed to help you prepare for surgery by addressing the hurdles you will face before and after the procedure.
After your surgery
After surgery, you will be cared for by a professional staff specially trained in bariatric care. Most patients spend one or two days in the hospital after their surgery. A multidisciplinary team of nurses, physical therapists, social workers and dietitians will monitor you closely and work with you to speed your recovery.
For more information on these groups or if you have questions about the weight-loss surgery program at South Miami Hospital, call 786-662-8745.