After years of struggling with weight and trying countless solutions without lasting success, this patient knew it was time to make a change. From the very first consultation, Dr. González provided the confidence, guidance, and support needed to begin a new chapter.

Throughout the entire journey—from consultation to recovery—Dr. González and his team were compassionate, attentive, and committed to success every step of the way. Their support made the process smoother than expected and helped turn uncertainty into confidence.

Today, this patient feels healthier, happier, and more energetic than they have in years. Significant weight loss, improved mobility, increased energy, and renewed self-confidence have transformed everyday life. What started as a decision to improve health became a life-changing journey toward a brighter future.

When my husband and I began our journey toward starting a family, we knew our weight was affecting our chances of achieving that dream. After hearing numerous recommendations from fertility specialists, I met with Dr. González and immediately felt something different—I felt seen, heard, and supported.

Rather than feeling judged, I found a physician who genuinely cared about my success. From the nutrition counseling to support groups and ongoing guidance, Dr. González and his team provided the tools, education, and encouragement I needed to make lasting changes.

Nearly three years later, I can confidently say this journey has been worth every step. Bariatric surgery gave me a powerful tool, but the real transformation came from changing my mindset and my relationship with food. I learned that long-term success comes from the choices I make every day.

My advice to anyone considering surgery is simple: if you’re ready to commit to a healthier future, do it. This journey isn’t easy, but it can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Today, I am healthier, stronger, and grateful for how far I’ve come—and excited for the future ahead.

When considering bariatric surgery, this patient wanted the very best care possible. Knowing that Dr. Gonzalez serves as Chief of Surgery at Baptist Health and helps train bariatric surgeons from around the world gave her the confidence that she was placing her health in expert hands.

Throughout the process, Dr. Gonzalez and his team provided clear guidance, education, and support every step of the way. From the initial seminar through recovery, she always felt informed, prepared, and cared for.

Today, she is living a life she once only imagined. After losing 130 pounds, she has more energy, works out 4–5 times a week, and enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and two young children. Beyond the physical transformation, she has gained confidence, strength, and a renewed sense of happiness.

One of the biggest surprises was how much the surgery transformed her mindset. She developed a new level of discipline and completely changed her relationship with food. As she puts it, “I now eat to live instead of living to eat.”

For most of my adult life, I struggled with my weight. Like so many others, I tried every diet imaginable, participated in weight loss studies, and experienced the frustrating cycle of losing weight only to gain it back. At 5 feet tall and 220 pounds, I knew something had to change. As a registered nurse, I approached bariatric surgery the same way I approached patient care—I did my research. After attending a seminar at Baptist Hospital and learning about the excellent outcomes achieved by Dr. Anthony Gonzalez and his team, I felt confident that I was in the right hands. Following months of evaluations and preparation, I underwent gastric sleeve surgery in December 2014. The surgery itself was only the beginning. The most valuable lesson I learned was that lasting success comes from changing your mindset. I listened carefully to every recommendation from the team, from portion control and mindful eating to exercise and nutrition. I embraced the process and committed to creating new habits that would support my long-term health. As I often say, I stopped living to eat and started eating to live. Today, more than 11 years later, I barely recognize the person I was before surgery. The transformation has been physical, emotional, and life changing. Looking back, I would make the same decision all over again. The surgery provided the tool, but the commitment to change created the results.

My story is different from most of Dr. Gonzalez’s patients. When I arrived at Baptist Hospital, I was fighting for my life. I was unconscious, on a ventilator, battling severe infections throughout my body. My organs were failing, my spleen had died, and I had multiple tears in my stomach. While surgery seemed urgent, Dr. Gonzalez knew that operating immediately would likely cost me my life. Instead, he made the decision to stabilize me first. For four months, Dr. Gonzalez and his team focused on rebuilding my strength. Step by step, they helped me progress from being dependent on a respirator to walking on my own. Only when my body was strong enough did Dr. Gonzalez perform the surgery to repair my stomach. I later learned that I wasn’t expected to survive. Because of Dr. Gonzalez’s skill and careful planning, I was out of bed within 24 hours after surgery. After several more weeks of recovery, I was able to return home. A year later, when weakened abdominal muscles required another operation, I trusted Dr. Gonzalez and the same team once again. The surgery was another success, and I was walking the very next day. Dr. Gonzalez, his team, and the incredible staff at Baptist Hospital didn’t just perform surgeries—they gave me a second chance at life. Today, I am a healthy, happy, and active 78-year-old man. I continue to enjoy life, and I remain deeply grateful to the people who saved it. More than a decade later, we still stay in touch, a reminder that exceptional care extends far beyond the operating room.

Our son, Albert James “AJ” Santana, was rushed to the Emergency Department at Baptist Hospital in critical condition. By God’s grace, Dr. Gonzalez was the surgeon on call that night. Through multiple emergency operations and procedures, Dr. Gonzalez and his team fought tirelessly to save our son’s life. Thanks to their extraordinary skill, expertise, and dedication, AJ survived. As AJ began his long recovery, we learned that he would require several additional surgeries and procedures. Despite the uncertainty, my wife and I never questioned who we wanted by our son’s side. We placed our complete trust in Dr. Gonzalez and his team during the most difficult time our family has ever faced. What has stayed with us most is a promise Dr. Gonzalez made during AJ’s recovery. He told us that there would come a point where AJ’s care would extend beyond his surgical specialty, but that he would never abandon us. And he kept that promise. Dr. Gonzalez personally guided us to the right specialists, helped us navigate the next steps, and ensured AJ continued receiving the care he needed to thrive. That level of compassion and commitment is something we will never forget. Today, AJ is thriving. He weighs 120 pounds, continues to make incredible progress, and enjoys the life we once feared he might never have. Over the years, we have encountered many healthcare professionals, but we have never met a surgeon with the skill, integrity, compassion, and dedication of Dr. Gonzalez. He didn’t just perform life-saving surgeries—he gave our son a future and gave our family hope. We will be forever grateful to Dr. Gonzalez and his entire team for everything they have done for our son and our family.

Mi motivación para operarme fue lo sintomática que estaba. Vivía con un reflujo muy severo causado por una hernia hiatal gigante, y eso hacía que mi calidad de vida fuera muy pobre. Comer y dormir se habían convertido en un verdadero sufrimiento. Escoger al equipo quirúrgico del Dr. González ha sido una de las mejores decisiones de mi vida. Le agradezco especialmente al APRN Iván Pimienta, quien fue la persona que más me motivó al hablarme de la calidad humana, la experiencia y los excelentes resultados del equipo liderado por el Dr. González. Mi experiencia ha sido excelente desde la primera consulta preoperatoria, durante la cirugía y en todo el proceso de recuperación. Siempre me sentí acompañada, orientada y en las mejores manos. Le expresé personalmente al Dr. González mi gratitud eterna por el cambio de vida que me regaló con esta cirugía. Hoy sí tengo calidad de vida. Puedo comer, dormir y vivir sin el sufrimiento que me acompañó durante tanto tiempo. A cualquier persona con este diagnóstico le diría que no lo dude ni un momento. Pónganse en manos de este equipo. Realmente vale la pena y los resultados superan, por mucho, cualquier expectativa. Solo le pido a Dios que siga bendiciendo con salud y sabiduría al Dr. González y a todo su equipo para que continúen devolviéndoles la salud y la esperanza a muchos pacientes, así como lo hicieron conmigo. ¡Gracias infinitas y muchas bendiciones para todo el equipo!

When it came time to have gallbladder surgery, choosing Dr. Gonzalez was an easy decision. His outstanding reputation, strong recommendations from friends and family, and the confidence he inspired through his clear communication and compassionate bedside manner made me feel I was in the best possible hands. From my first consultation through recovery, Dr. Gonzalez and his surgical team were exceptional. Every step of the process was explained thoroughly, all of my questions were answered, and I always felt informed, comfortable, and supported. Using the latest robotic surgical technology, Dr. Gonzalez performed my gallbladder removal with incredible precision. My recovery was remarkably fast, virtually painless, and free of complications. I was able to return to my normal activities much sooner than I expected. What surprised me most was how minimally invasive the procedure was. I was left with just one small scar, while others I know who underwent traditional gallbladder surgery were left with multiple incisions. The difference in my recovery and overall experience was remarkable. Today, I can travel and enjoy life without worrying about another painful gallbladder attack. I am incredibly grateful for Dr. Gonzalez’s expertise, advanced robotic approach, and the outstanding care provided by his entire team. I would confidently recommend him to anyone considering gallbladder surgery.