Our Team Is Here to Help You Feel Your Best
Losing weight can be difficult, and if diet and exercise aren’t getting you closer to your goals, surgical weight loss may be the right choice. At AdventHealth Tampa, our compassionate bariatric specialists have offered highly personalized care to the local Tampa community for decades.
To help you reach your goals with the best possible care, we work in unison with the AdventHealth Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, which is accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement — a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
In addition to our team’s expertise in bariatric surgery, we consider all of your needs — physical, emotional and spiritual — with services that include education, support groups, three on-site chapels and more.
Types of Bariatric Surgery Our Team Offers
Despite their best efforts, many people struggle to achieve a healthy weight through diet and exercise. But you’re not alone, and our team is here to help. Working with the AdventHealth Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, we offer the latest surgical weight-loss surgery procedures to help you achieve your goals. Our advanced procedures can offer faster healing times, minimal scarring and a quicker return to the life you love.
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Minimally Invasive Surgery
Our team offers the most advanced robotic-assisted and laparoscopic procedures, which mean fewer incisions, less scarring and a faster recovery for you.
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Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve has become a popular option since it doesn’t involve bypassing the small intestine and has minimal long-term complications.
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Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass reduces the size of the stomach to one or two ounces to reroute food away from the stomach into the first part of the small intestine.
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Revisions and Conversions
For people who had bariatric surgery that wasn't successful, we offer lap band revisions, which modifies an original procedure, or conversions, which replaces the procedure with a new solution.
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Lap Band Evaluations
You may be a candidate for a lap band evaluation if you feel you didn’t meet your goal of losing weight and keeping it off, want to understand why your weight-loss procedure hasn't worked as you thought it would, or would like to talk over options with a team of professionals.
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Orbera® Intragastric Balloon System
We were the first hospital in Tampa to offer Orbera, a non-surgical solution. The Orbera balloon helps reinforce portion control by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold.
Meet Your Bariatric Team
How We Help You Reach Your Goals
- Assessing Your Needs
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To determine if a surgical weight-loss procedure is right for you, we’ll look at factors like your age, your medical history, any previous attempts at weight loss, any related health conditions and your body mass index (BMI).
You could be a candidate for our program if you meet the following conditions:
- You are at least 18 years of age
- You have a BMI of 40 (approximately 100 pounds over ideal body weight for men and 80 pounds over ideal body weight for women) or a BMI of 35 or above, with an associated condition such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, or obesity-related heart disease
- You have previously attempted weight loss in a program supervised by a physician, dietitian or nutritionist
- You have a willingness to commit to long-term medical follow up, as well as the life-long changes in eating, exercise and lifestyle habits necessary to maintain weight loss after surgery
- Personalized Care at Our Institute
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At AdventHealth Tampa, we understand that you’re an individual, and that is reflected in your unique weight-loss story.
With tailored, personalized care, we'll determine whether you’re a good candidate for our advanced, minimally invasive surgical weight-loss procedures. Then, we’ll develop a treatment plan that fits your exact needs and concerns.
Our caring, compassionate team will be with you at every step with support to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight for the months and years to come.
- Our Team of Weight-Loss Surgeons
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Bariatric Surgeon
Medical Director, AdventHealth Bariatric and Metabolic Institute
Dr. Murr is certified by the American Board of Surgery and specializes in bariatric surgery. As Medical Director of AdventHealth Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, he is responsible for maintaining the highest standard of care for each patient who passes through the Institute. For over 30 years, he has been dedicated to helping individuals regain their health by providing a healthy, nurturing environment. Dr. Murr works with a team of providers to focus on the whole health of each person and apply a customized, comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach for improved well-being.
Founder of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Florida State Chapter, Dr. Murr has been influential in the medical community. An advocate for bariatric medicine, Dr. Murr has been instrumental in working with the Florida Legislature, encouraging insurance companies and employers to support comprehensive obesity management. He also has a deep interest in the advances in bariatric and metabolic medicine, which is evident in his extensive research and participation in clinical studies, in addition to leading a renowned Fellowship program.
Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Gonzalvo is certified by the American Board of Surgery and specializes in adult and adolescent bariatric surgery. A native of Tampa, Dr. Gonzalvo is dedicated to improving the overall health and well-being of the Tampa Bay community. Together with a team of providers, he provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program and applies a customized approach for improved well-being to every patient.
As a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Dr. Gonzalvo is passionate about improving the health of those experiencing weight management difficulties, especially in the adolescent population. He is a highly experienced surgeon, specializing in complex laparoscopic techniques that result in less scarring and blood loss, faster healing, and less pain for his patients.
- Adolescent Bariatric Surgery
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If your teen has tried other weight loss methods for severe obesity without success, adolescent bariatric surgery is a procedure that, when combined with lifestyle changes, can help achieve the desired results and better health. We are proud to be an MBSAQIP Accredited Center – Comprehensive Center with Adolescent Qualifications. This important accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality and safe patient care.
As a family, we know deciding on this weight loss procedure is not a decision you make lightly. Evaluation for adolescent bariatric surgery is extensive to ensure your family’s comfort. Involvement of the parent or guardian is essential and required.
A six-month preparatory program is required to ensure the teen and family receive important information and demonstrate changes required for long term success.
- Medical Weight Loss Program
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We help manage your whole health by managing your weight. Our intensive medical weight loss program implements a whole-body approach that considers all your needs. We focus on behavior, lifestyle, and nutrition adjustments in this physician-supervised program that helps patients reach and maintain their weight loss goals.
Together with your physician, we discuss medical history and weight loss goals to choose the right weight loss program for you. The length of our structured medical weight loss program depends on individual needs and goals. We have 16- and 24-week intervals.
You can expect:
• A variety of delicious meal replacement products to help jump-start your weight loss
• An eventual and gradual transition from meal replacements to a personalized meal plan
• Individual weight loss treatment plans
• An average of 1-4 pounds per week (results may vary) - Supporting Your Body, Mind and Spirit
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With compassion and empathy, it’s our mission to treat you using faith-based care that considers all of your needs. As members of the AdventHealth network, we understand the role that your emotional and spiritual health play in weight management and bariatric care. We know that your weight can be affected by your emotional health, and vice versa. That’s why we provide services that soothe your mind and lift your spirits, including non-denominational, on-site chapels and access to behavioral health experts.
Join Our Support Groups
If you’re considering or have had bariatric surgery, our free support groups are here for you to share your personal journey and experiences with others who understand and support your goals.
Our support groups are offered on the third Thursday of each month and are led by a bariatric specialist with in-depth knowledge of the clinical methods and emotional hardships involved in the weight-loss process.
No matter where you live, or what AdventHealth program your surgeon is affiliated with, you can attend a group session virtually at any location. You decide how much support you need, and we will be here to help you along the way.
Class Times: Tuesdays, from 12 to 1 pm ET
If you have any questions about our support groups, please contact us at Call813-615-7287.
Hear What Our Patients Are Saying
Dawn Thiel's Story
Brian Greene's Story
Martin Ellis' Story
Terry Rose's Story
April Walkenhurst's Story
Answering Your Bariatric Surgery Questions
- What are the bariatric surgery requirements?
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There are certain criteria for bariatric surgery. You may be a candidate if you:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 65
- Are not dependent on drugs or alcohol
- Are ready and willing to commit to a new lifestyle
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
- Have a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnea
- Have tried to lose weight through other means, such as diet and exercise
- Which bariatric surgery procedure is right for me?
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The best weight-loss procedure for you will be determined at your consult visit when you sit down with your bariatric surgeon. The decision is based on various factors, like:
- Any health conditions (like diabetes or GERD)
- Any previous attempts at weight loss
- Your BMI
- Your health history overall
- What is the cost of bariatric surgery, and will my insurance cover it?
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The coverage related to bariatric surgery depends on the type of coverage your insurance plan provides. Our care coordinators will help you communicate with your insurance company to understand what coverage your plan requires and provides.
- What are some bariatric surgery risks?
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All surgical procedures come with risks, but for most patients, the lasting benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh the risks. Some of the main risks of bariatric surgery include:
- Acid reflux
- Anesthesia-related risks
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Dilation of esophagus
- Inability to eat certain foods
- Infection
- Obstruction of the stomach
- Weight regain
Other risks may include:
Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome is actually an adrenaline rush caused by too many carbohydrates entering the intestine too quickly. Symptoms are palpitations, sweating and a weak-in-the-knees feeling. About one-quarter of patients who receive a gastric bypass will experience this. This condition is unusual with the gastric sleeve.Blood Clots (Rare)
Very few surgical weight-loss patients develop blood clots. Less than 1% of all surgical patients in the U.S. encounter this issue. The bariatric team is very proactive in preventing blood clots. You are given blood thinners during surgery and after. You also use a compression device and ambulate every two hours while in the hospital and at home.
- How long do bariatric procedures take?
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The bariatric surgery process and average procedure time vary on multiple factors, like the type of surgery. For example, a gastric bypass procedure usually takes about two hours, and a gastric sleeve procedure may take an hour and a half.
Before your surgery, your care team will be sure to go over all the details of your procedure, including how long you’ll be in the operating room, so all your specific questions are answered.
- How rapid is weight loss after bariatric surgery?
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Weight-loss surgery is incredibly life-changing, and post-bariatric surgery results are wonderful for many people. Most patients will lose about 65% of their excess weight in 18 months (one and a half years), and most of the weight comes off in the first year. About 75% of people can successfully lose weight and keep it off long-term.
- How much excess skin will I have after surgery?
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It varies, but most patients who experience substantial weight loss will have some extra skin. Exercising to tone muscles will help to some degree. Removal of the extra skin is usually considered cosmetic, and coverage depends on your insurance policy. We recommend you first reach your weight loss goal and then undergo surgery to remove your excess skin, if desired.