Medicare Procedure and Patient Information
2021 Medicare Procedure Volume
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD for Medicare patients.
| 98 |
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Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD is an internist in Los Angeles, CA specializing in internal medicine (adult medicine) and bariatric medicine. She graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2013 and has 12 years of experience. Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD is affiliated with Cedars-Sinai.
8635 W 3rd Street Medical Offices West, Suites 770 W and Suite 795
Los Angeles, CA 90048
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.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD for Medicare patients.
| 98 |
Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2013. She is certified by the General Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Massachusetts.
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (2013)
Board Certification: General Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Medi-Cal, Railroad Medicare, Blue Shield California PPO and Medicare MCR.
According to our sources, Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 86 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Los Angeles, CA.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Amanda Velazquez, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$22,692
Saxenda $419 |
Wegovy $65 |
Ozempic $65 |
$22,144 |
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$1,812
$1,812 |
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$16
Contrave $16 |
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$13
ABILIFY MAINTENA $13 |
| $22,298 | |
| $1,500 | |
| $498 | |
| $238 |
Dr. Amanda Velazquez is a physician who specializes in bariatric medicine. Patients rated her highly, giving her an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). She has a special interest in adolescent issues, general surgery, and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). Dr. Velazquez is professionally affiliated with Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Velazquez is an in-network provider for Medi-Cal, Medicaid, and Railroad Medicare insurance. She is not accepting new patients at this time according to Cedars-Sinai. She graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She has received distinctions including American College of Physicians American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle (CIRCL) Samuel Oschin Cancer Center SOCCI. Dr. Velazquez is conversant in Spanish.