Dr. Anthony M. Gonzalez, MD

Dr.Gonzalez is a board certified general surgeon with interest in general surgery, laparoscopic surgery and bariatric surgery. He has been involved in the care of bariatric patients since 1994. After completing medical school at the University of Miami, he continued his surgical training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical Center. He has continued his affiliation with the University, as he is a voluntary assistant professor of surgery. Dr. Gonzalez is a member of multiple professional societies including the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

Served as Vice Chief of Surgery at Baptist Hospital for 4 years
Current Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital
Chairs the GI (Gastro-intestinal) performance improvement collaborative at Baptist Hospital
During his spare time, Dr. Gonzalez is the Medical Director of Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission

Dr. Jorge R. Rabaza, MD

Dr. Rabaza has enjoyed teaching students and residents the art and science of surgery. He is a diplomate of the The American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. He has performed hundreds of bariatric procedures, including revisional surgery. Dr. Rabaza attended medical school and completed his surgical training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. In addition to his profound interest in surgery for the morbidly obese he also specializes in hernia surgery.

Dr. Juan-Carlos Verdeja, MD

Juan-Carlos Verdeja, born in Havana, emigrated to the United States as a child. He graduated from medical school in 1984 and, along with other honors, was inducted into "Iron Arrow" ("the highest attained at the University of Miami"). He completed a five-year surgical residency in 1989 and was awarded the Upjohn Award for Outstanding Chief Resident. Laparoscopic general surgery was introduced later that year, as he began his private practice, and he immediately took an interest in this evolving field. He coauthored the first scientific paper in the world literature on laparoscopic colon surgery and was instrumental in the invention of the technique of laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. He is recognized internationally as a pioneer in the development of advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques. In conjunction with this, he became active in instrument and product design of surgical equipment and has invented four products widely used for surgery. In addition to this, he maintains a busy General Surgery practice. Dr. Verdeja is a clinical professor of surgery and on the adjunct faculty of several universities. Currently, he is Chief of Surgery at South Miami Hospital. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the International College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. He has edited several publications, authored a chapter in a surgical textbook, written numerous articles in the scientific literature, and teaches courses and lectures extensively in conjunction with his varied surgical interests.

In 1998, he introduced the first center for bariatric surgery in Miami and in conjunction with Baptist Health and South Miami Hospital has developed a comprehensive program for the surgical management of the obese patient. He and his partners, Drs. Jorge Rabaza and Anthony Gonzalez have performed nearly 2000 gastric bypass surgeries with excellent results. Currently, he continues to travel abroad to lecture on bariatric surgery.

Ketty Diaz, ARNP

Ms. Diaz is a national certified nurse practioner with 5 year experience in the field of General and Bariatric Surgery. She has been actively involved in the care and teaching of surgical patients with special interest in Bariatric surgery. She is an honorary member of the American Academy of Nurse Practictioners and Sigma Theta International Tau Honors Society.

Current News

Our Support Group

Our Support Group is open to anyone that has had surgery for obesity and would like support. Info Sessions are for anyone interested in learning more about surgical treatment for obesity.