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Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: General Surgery
Santo Domingo Institute of Technology
Professional interests include: bariatric revision surgery, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, robotic surgery, and more.
725 JESSE JEWELL PARKWAY SE
GAINESVILLE, GA 30501

Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS is a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA specializing in general surgery. He graduated from Santo Domingo Institute of Technology. Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS is affiliated with Longstreet Clinic, Northside Hospital Duluth, Gainesville Surgery Center and Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville.

View Doctor's Full Profile (770) 534-0110

Office Locations

725 JESSE JEWELL PARKWAY SE
GAINESVILLE, GA 30501
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1270 Friendship Road Suite 110
Braselton, GA 30517
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Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville

1120 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Suite 106
Suwanee, GA 30024
(678) 207-4620
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Some issues Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS can help you with:

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.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional 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

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2012 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 110
hospital care 64
inpatient care 64

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2013 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 183
hospital care 67
inpatient care 67

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 102
Female 113
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 105
Black 51
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 43
Age
From 65 to 74 82
From 75 to 84 44
85 and over 12
Less than 65 77

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2013

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 47
Depression 23
Chronic Kidney Disease 38
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 42
Dementia 13
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 215
hospital care 96
inpatient care 96

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 111
Female 137
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 120
Black 75
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 16
Native American 37
Age
From 65 to 74 78
From 75 to 84 58
85 and over 15
Less than 65 97

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2014

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 41
Depression 28
Chronic Kidney Disease 42
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 26
Diabetes 44
Dementia 16
Cancer 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 205
hospital care 42
inpatient care 42

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 206
Female 258
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 202
Black 132
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 92
Age
From 65 to 74 166
From 75 to 84 104
85 and over 30
Less than 65 164

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2015

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 43
Depression 28
Chronic Kidney Disease 37
Asthma 25
Osteoperosis 5
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 27
Diabetes 48
Dementia 13
Cancer 20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2016 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 161
hospital care 98
inpatient care 98

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 90
Female 112
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 99
Black 61
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 31
Age
From 65 to 74 54
From 75 to 84 47
85 and over 11
Less than 65 90

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2016

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 40
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 50
Asthma 38
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 35
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 31
Diabetes 46
Dementia 21
Cancer 18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2017 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 47
hospital care 109
inpatient care 109

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 46
Female 56
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 62
Black 22
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 35
From 75 to 84 17
85 and over 18
Less than 65 32

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2017

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 61
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 50
Depression 39
Chronic Kidney Disease 57
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 25
Heart Failure 30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 31
Diabetes 33
Dementia 13
Cancer 20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 51
hospital care 60
inpatient care 60

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 52
Female 61
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 63
Black 23
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 39
From 75 to 84 21
85 and over 14
Less than 65 39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2018

Hypertension 69
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 39
Depression 36
Chronic Kidney Disease 44
Asthma 12
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 18
Heart Failure 25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 22
Diabetes 38
Dementia 24
Cancer 19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 82
hospital care 79
inpatient care 79

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 55
Female 71
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 76
Black 18
Hispanic 20
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 58
From 75 to 84 16
85 and over 16
Less than 65 36

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2019

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 67
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 44
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 52
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 14
Atrial Fibrilation 19
Heart Failure 33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 23
Diabetes 53
Dementia 10
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2020 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 37
hospital care 30
inpatient care 30

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 45
Female 39
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 52
Black 14
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 35
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2020

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 61
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 44
Depression 35
Chronic Kidney Disease 54
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 20
Heart Failure 27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 26
Diabetes 38
Dementia 0
Cancer 18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 23
hospital care 25
inpatient care 25

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 27
Female 38
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 41
Black 13
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 29
From 75 to 84 17
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2021

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 43
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 49
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 22
Heart Failure 29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 23
Diabetes 48
Dementia 0
Cancer 22

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA during 2022 were lab tests, preventive care, blood draw and diabetes management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

blood draw 19
diabetes management 14
doctor visit 14
lab tests 109
preventive care 29

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 11
Female 30
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 28
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS in 2022

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 41
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 32
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 59
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated as a general surgeon in GAINESVILLE, GA were lab tests, hospital care, inpatient care and preventive care.

blood draw 19
diabetes management 14
doctor visit 102
hospital care 67
inpatient care 67
lab tests 109
preventive care 29

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS.

Gender
Male 67
Female 83
Ethnicity
Black / African American 37
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 77
Native American / Alaskan Native 18
Hispanic 1
Other 1
Age
75 to 84 29
85 and over 10
Less than 65 52
65 to 74 52

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 67
High Cholesterol 57
Stroke 2
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 29
Chronic Kidney Disease 38
Asthma 16
Osteoporosis 2
Heart Failure 24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 22
Diabetes 40
Atrial Fibrillation 13
Dementia 10
Cancer 14

Education & Training

Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS graduated from Santo Domingo Institute of Technology. He completed residency at Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery Single-Site Da Vinci Surgical System Da Vinci Surgical System System Orbera Intragastric Balloon System and has a state license in Georgia.

Medical School: Santo Domingo Institute of Technology

Residency: Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery Single-Site Da Vinci Surgical System Da Vinci Surgical System System Orbera Intragastric Balloon System

Licensed In: Georgia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Longstreet Clinic
Northside Hospital Duluth
Gainesville Surgery Center
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 181 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS from all over the web to help you find the right in GAINESVILLE, GA. 

4.92
Overall Rating
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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Eric Joel Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. $1,416 Da Vinci Surgical System
$1,416
Ethicon Inc. $1,329 STRATAFIX
$1,329
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. $1,197 SYNECOR Biomaterial
$636 		SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple
$560
Medical Device Business Services, Inc. $1,151 STRATAFIX
$1,151
Apollo Endosurgery US Inc $1,056 Orbera
$1,056
Other $2,118 Sonicision
$754 		LigaSure
$262 		ECHELON FLEX Stapler
$229 		ENSEAL Product Family
$90 		ECHELON ENDOPATH Stapler
$59 		Other
$725
Types of Payments
Travel and Lodging $5,047
Food and Beverage $2,803
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program $400
Gift $16

Biography

Dr. Eric Velazquez sees patients in Gainesville, GA, Lawrenceville, GA, and Duluth, GA. His medical specialty is general surgery. He is especially interested in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery, and robotic surgery. On average, patients gave him a rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Before completing his residency at Westchester Medical Center and Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers, Dr. Velazquez attended medical school at Santo Domingo Institute of Technology. Dr. Velazquez (or staff) speaks the following languages: Spanish and Portuguese. Dr. Velazquez is professionally affiliated with Longstreet Clinic. He has an open panel in Gainesville, GA according to Doctor.com.

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