Meet the Experts

Dr. Anthony Gonzalez

Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital

Videos

Learning To Be Healthy After Surgery

Post surgery includes learning healthy habits about eating, exercises and a health lifestyle, says Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital. After a procedure, people have to understand that they act and eat differently, Dr. Gonzalez affirms and also adds people have to go to the gym and take time for themselves. Surgery can be a diabetes cure, but it depends on the patient's BMI, the operation and how long he has had the disease.

Causes of Hiatal Hernia

Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital, explains hiatal hernia is a hernia that occurs in the chest; it is in the stomach that moves up into your chest. He also says a hiatal hernia has symptoms such as reflux, strangulation, and difficulty eating.

Learning about Hernias

Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital, says about one million hernias are repaired every year in the United States and they are seen in everyday practice. He explains a hernia is a hole in your abdominal wall or groin where your insides are protruding through that area, and it can be painful.

Hernia Surgery Procedure

Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital, explains you have to get surgery immediately when the hernia is strangulated. "If somebody is strangulated in the emergency room and cannot be reduced and pushed back in, you go straight to the operating room." He says you also need surgery if the strangulation is pushed back in.

The Mental Toll Of Obesity

Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital, says he sees a lot of people with overweight and how it impacts their life. “I see a lot of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, social issues, marriages, friendships. All of the patients have to be adults with their social and psychological issues," he affirms. The diseases related to obesity can be seen in kids too, Dr. Gonzalez says. Diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected in kids ages 14 or above as well. Obesity can also contribute with bullying and discrimination in teens, he adds.

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