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Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD

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Specializes in: Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery

Professional interests include: minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, breast biopsy, and more.

17 Davis Boulevard Suite 308
Tampa, FL 33606

(813) 259-8510

Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD is a bariatric surgeon in Tampa, FL specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD is affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare, CAPITAL REGIONAL HEALTHCARE LLC and HCA Florida Capital Hospital.

Office Locations

17 Davis Boulevard Suite 308
Tampa, FL 33606

(813) 259-8510

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2626 Care Drive Suite 206
Tallahassee, FL 32308

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Some issues Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD can help you with:

Breast Biopsy

Breast biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is collected from the breast for testing. A physician may prescribe a breast biopsy for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently prescribed for a lump found in the breast. Biopsy samples extracted are examined by pathologists in a laboratory setting and are tested to determine if they are cancerous or benign, or indicative of some other condition. Depending on the lab results, physicians may prescribe additional treatment. Other circumstances which may prompt a breast biopsy include:

Mammograms that detect other unusual features in the chest, such as a cyst or calcium deposit
Breast scans or ultrasounds that display abnormalities
Nipple changes, such as scaling, crusting, or bloody discharge

Breast biopsies are collected through several different procedures and the specific type of biopsy that a patient receives depends on the size, location, and features of a breast lump or irregularity. The three main methods of collecting a breast biopsy include:

Fine needle aspiration (FNA biopsy), where a thin needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting a small sample of tissue or liquid
Core needle biopsy (CNB biopsy), where a hollow needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting cylinders of tissue called "cores"
Open (surgical) biopsy, where a breast lump is removed through an incision in the breast

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are sometimes image-guided, where a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI helps direct the physician performing the needle extraction.

Fine needle aspiration, the most common biopsy method, generally requires few patient preparations. It is recommended patients avoid using lotion, deodorant, and perfume prior to their biopsy procedure. FNA biopsy is performed with local anesthesia (topical numbing cream) and typically has a quick recovery, but patients may experience soreness for a few days. Core needle biopsy extracts slightly more tissue than an FNA biopsy.

Open (surgical) biopsy is more invasive and requires general anesthesia, where patients are put to sleep during the procedure. Patients must fast prior to the surgery. After the biopsy is performed, patients are monitored in a recovery room for a time before being discharged, when they will need someone else to provide transportation.

Although some may consider breast biopsy to be a simple procedure, it can catch critical issues - particularly breast cancer - that impact wellness. If a breast biopsy reveals an underlying condition like life-threatening cancer, patients can receive the diagnosis and medical treatment that is necessary for their long-term health.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that promotes weight loss by reducing the stomach and altering how the digestive system absorbs and processes food. The procedure treats morbid obesity, where one's weight impairs day-to-day function or poses serious health risks. Gastric bypass surgery is used only after other weight loss treatments are unsuccessful.

Generally, gastric bypass surgery is performed on patients who have a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgeons frequently expect patients to first attempt natural weight loss for about six months to prove to the surgeon that the patient is capable of maintaining a post-surgery diet and exercise regimen.

For obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has many potential health and weight benefits. Gastric bypass surgery restricts the amount of food the stomach contains, as well as:

Reduces the calories the stomach absorbs
Alters gastrointestinal hormones, which help to heal obesity-induced metabolic syndrome
Suppresses appetite
Alleviates conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity, such as obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
Contributes to mental health by improving self-esteem

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is stapled to reduce its size, and a small hole is created in the stomach and attached to the middle section of the small intestine. This direct connection between the stomach and the middle of the small intestine creates a channel for some food to bypass the normal route. By bypassing the upper small intestine and larger region of the stomach, food is not fully absorbed and patients do not retain the same amount of calories as before. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as "Roux-en-Y" gastric bypass surgery. Some bariatric surgeons may perform a "laparoscopic bypass" which uses a tiny camera (laparoscope) to guide the procedure.

Gastric bypass surgery is performed with general anesthesia and as preparation, a liquid diet is required for two weeks prior to undergoing the surgery. After the surgery, patients will spend about two days in the hospital and may miss work for two to three weeks. In the first month after the surgery, patients are only able to consume small portions of liquid or soft food. Even after reintroducing solid food, patients feel full quickly, sometimes after eating just two or three tablespoons. Some patients experience "dumping syndrome" (rapid processing of food into the small intestine), which is common during the recovery process. Gastric bypass surgery patients must also make permanent lifestyle changes. For example, gastric bypass patients are required to take vitamins for life after surgery and required to forever avoid certain foods, such as alcohol, sugar, and high fat food.

While the gastric bypass recovery process can be challenging, surgery results are usually swift: most gastric bypass surgery patients lose nearly half to two thirds of their starting weight within two years of surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.

By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.

Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.

Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Tampa, FL during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD for Medicare patients.

hospital care	11
inpatient care	11

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated during 2021 were hypertension.

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	0
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Tampa, FL during 2022 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	22
hospital care	15
inpatient care	15

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD.

**Gender**
Male	24
Female	26

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	37
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	21
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated during 2022 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	30
Diabetes	52
Dementia	0
Cancer	24

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Tampa, FL during 2023 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	62
hospital care	83
inpatient care	83

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD.

**Gender**
Male	30
Female	40

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	45
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	31
From 75 to 84	20
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated during 2023 were high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	43
Dementia	20
Cancer	29

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2021 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Tampa, FL were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	42
hospital care	36
inpatient care	36

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2021 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD.

**Gender**
Male	18
Female	22

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	27
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	6
85 and over	0
Less than 65	5
65 to 74	17

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD From 2021 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	0
Osteoporosis	0
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	31
Atrial Fibrillation	7
Cancer	17
Dementia	6

Education & Training

She has a state license in Florida.

Licensed In: Florida

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

HCA Florida Healthcare

CAPITAL REGIONAL HEALTHCARE LLC

HCA Florida Capital Hospital

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Candace Elise Gonzalez, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$3,153 Da Vinci Surgical System $3,153
Kerecis Limited	$593 Kerecis Omega3 Marigen $593
Smith+Nephew, Inc.	$150 STRAVIX $103	COLLAGENASE SANTYL $47
Davol Inc.	$144 Phasix Mesh $144
Medtronic, Inc.	$68 ProGrip $48	Endo Clip III $20
Other	$176 PuraPly $30	Exparel $28	CoolSeal Generator $27	V.A.C.INSTILL $20	NASCOBAL $18	Other $53

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$2,326
Travel and Lodging	$1,919
Gift	$39

Biography

Dr. Candace Gonzalez specializes in general surgery and bariatric surgery. Areas of expertise for Dr. Gonzalez include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal switch, and roux-en-y gastric bypass. Dr. Gonzalez is conversant in Spanish. She is affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare.