Center For Metabolic And Obesity Surgery Clinic in Gainesville, United States

Dr. W. Beltre is a Board Certified bariatric surgeon who started his career in 1998. He treats patients with obesity and obesity-related health problems using the most cutting-edge techniques.
The doctor is affiliated with the following organizations:
- He is Board Certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery 
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- Member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)

Read below to find out more information about the procedures and techniques used by the doctor.

- Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as a gastric sleeve is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce food intake by removing a big part of the stomach. 
The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia in 1-2 hours, using the laparoscopic technique. During the procedure, the doctor will make 5-6 tiny incisions in the abdomen wall and will install trocars (which look like pen-shaped tubes) into the body. This technique enables the surgeon to use a video camera and surgical instruments without making large incisions. The surgeon will remove approximately 70% of the patient’s stomach, which means the remaining gastric sleeve is 50-150 ml. The sleeve will be situated between the esophagus and small intestine. 
The advantage of this technique is that it reduces the post-operative complications and the discomfort caused to the patient.
The benefits of the Sleeve Gastrectomy are that it produces a rapid and significant weight loss, and ameliorates metabolic health problems like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and type 2 diabetes.

- Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure suitable for patients with severe obesity and obesity-related health problems such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. 
The procedure enables weight loss through 2 significant mechanisms:
1. It reduces the volume of the stomach to approximately 30 ml, which means the quantity of consumed food will significantly decrease.
2. The length of the small intestine will be reduced, which will reduce the number of absorbed calories.
The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia using a laparoscopic technique. Firstly the doctor will make 6 small incisions and will insert the video camera and the trocars. When the instruments are inserted inside the abdomen, the doctor will be able to remove the biggest part of your stomach, letting a small pouch. The superior part of the small intestine will also be removed. The lower half of the intestine will be sutured to an opening in the pouch (the remaining part of the stomach).

- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB), also known as Gastric Band is a weight loss method suitable for patients who struggle with moderate to severe obesity and its complications, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, infertility, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
The procedure involves placing an adjustable band around the top of the stomach that allows controlling the food intake of the patient.
This procedure is recommended to patients who want to lose weight and are ready for long-term lifestyle changes like changing their eating habits and starting to exercise.