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Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD

(13 Ratings)

Specializes in: Bariatrics (Obesity Treatment) and General Surgery

Professional interests include: laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, minimally invasive surgery, esophageal cancer, and more.

2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, FL 33331

1-877-463-2010

Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD is a bariatrician in Weston, FL specializing in bariatrics (obesity treatment) and general surgery. Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic, CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA A NONPROFIT CORPORATION and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital.

Office Locations

Address:

2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, FL 33331

Some issues Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD 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.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a kind of minimally invasive surgery using a thin, narrow tube called a laparoscope. Usually performed on the abdomen or the pelvic region, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions instead of one large one.

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which contains a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see what is happening inside the body. Then tiny tools are placed through the small openings and used to perform the surgery.

The most common laparoscopic surgery is gallbladder removal, but laparoscopic surgery may also be used for the removal of a kidney or appendix, to treat certain cysts and tumors, for bariatric surgery, for some GERD treatments, or for hernia repairs, among others.

Because laparoscopic surgery only uses a few tiny incisions, the scars are minimal and recovery is easier than with open 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.

diagnostic procedures	14
doctor visit	45
gastrointestinal procedures	21
minimally invasive procedures	22
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	14
weight management	11

**Gender**
Male	63
Female	58

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	89
Black	17
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	68
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	25

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	45
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

abdominal surgery	11
diagnostic procedures	10
doctor visit	71
gastrointestinal procedures	30
minimally invasive procedures	31
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	10

**Gender**
Male	73
Female	71

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	100
Black	19
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	65
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	40
Dementia	10
Cancer	0

abdominal surgery	10
doctor visit	108
gastrointestinal procedures	17
minimally invasive procedures	18
weight management	10

**Gender**
Male	204
Female	164

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	258
Black	0
Hispanic	56
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	168
From 75 to 84	100
85 and over	28
Less than 65	72

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	33
Dementia	7
Cancer	14

abdominal surgery	22
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	83
gastrointestinal procedures	31
minimally invasive procedures	32
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	12

**Gender**
Male	111
Female	78

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	132
Black	17
Hispanic	28
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	96
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	21
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	35
Dementia	8
Cancer	14

abdominal surgery	17
diagnostic procedures	10
doctor visit	100
gastrointestinal procedures	35
minimally invasive procedures	36
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	10

**Gender**
Male	111
Female	86

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	145
Black	0
Hispanic	26
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	89
From 75 to 84	61
85 and over	11
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	35
Dementia	11
Cancer	12

abdominal surgery	17
diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	171
gastrointestinal procedures	27
minimally invasive procedures	28
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	13

**Gender**
Male	141
Female	110

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	162
Black	0
Hispanic	44
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	134
From 75 to 84	56
85 and over	17
Less than 65	44

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	34
Dementia	11
Cancer	16

abdominal surgery	29
diagnostic procedures	10
doctor visit	157
gastrointestinal procedures	50
hospital care	21
inpatient care	21
minimally invasive procedures	39
open surgery	11
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	10

**Gender**
Male	161
Female	103

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	175
Black	30
Hispanic	43
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	124
From 75 to 84	82
85 and over	13
Less than 65	45

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	36
Dementia	9
Cancer	18

**Gender**
Male	106
Female	67

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	115
Black	24
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	85
From 75 to 84	43
85 and over	19
Less than 65	26

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	31
Dementia	13
Cancer	11

abdominal surgery	38
doctor visit	227
gastrointestinal procedures	46
hospital care	40
inpatient care	40
minimally invasive procedures	47

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD treated as a bariatrician in Weston, FL were gastrointestinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, hospital care and inpatient care.

abdominal surgery	21
diagnostic procedures	11
doctor visit	119
gastrointestinal procedures	34
hospital care	24
inpatient care	24
minimally invasive procedures	32
open surgery	11
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	11
weight management	10

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD.

**Gender**
Male	97
Female	73

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	10
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	117
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	19
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	41
85 and over	10
Less than 65	28
65 to 74	82

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	1
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	28
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Cancer	9
Dementia	6

Education & Training

He completed residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is certified by the Surgery - General Surgery and has a state license in Florida.

Residency: Long Island Jewish Medical Center (1997)

Board Certification: Surgery - General Surgery

Licensed In: Florida

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Cleveland Clinic

CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA A NONPROFIT CORPORATION

Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 13 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Weston, FL.

4.96

Overall Rating

(13 Ratings)

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Covidien LP	$28,788 Sonicision $7,142	Signia $1,464	LigaSure $784	R & D products $350	Instruments and Ligation $350	Other $18,698
Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices & Diagnostics Group - Latin America, L.L.C.	$11,481 HARMONIC Product Family $8,585	ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY Curved Intraluminal Stapler $2,203	ECHELON ENDOPATH Stapler $693
Medtronic, Inc.	$7,136 Dextile $3,838	Signia $368	Endo Stitch $150	$2,780
Novo Nordisk Inc	$6,196 Saxenda $6,151	$45
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$3,526 DAVINCI XI $2,500	Da Vinci Surgical System $1,026
Other	$8,847 OLINVYK $2,500	Surgical Innovations $2,000	SURGICAL $1,576	Exparel $630	SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement $407	Other $1,734

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$28,625
Consulting Fee	$21,448
Travel and Lodging	$7,540
Food and Beverage	$4,361
Education	$2,500
Other	$1,500

Research Payments

Dr. Samuel Szomstein, MD has received 3 research payments totaling $12,100.

Biography

Dr. Samuel Szomstein is a specialist in general surgery and bariatrics (obesity treatment). He completed his residency training at New York Hospital Queens and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Areas of expertise for Dr. Szomstein include ventral hernia, achalasia, and gallbladder problems. Dr. Szomstein's patients gave him an average rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Szomstein (or staff) speaks the following foreign languages: Hebrew and Spanish. He is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic.