After finishing his General Surgery Residency training, Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez traveled to the University of Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France, where he completed a two-year fellowship-training program in Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary Surgery. He started his gastric banding surgery experience with the Sweedish Adjustable Gastric Band.

Dr. Rodrigo González Toledo

General Surgery Residency (1994-1999)

Francisco Marroquin University Guatemala City, Guatemala

Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary Surgery Fellowship (2000-2001)
Louis Pasteur University
Strasbourg, France
http://www-ulp.u-strasbg.fr/
http://www-ulp.u-strasbg.fr/en/bienvenue

Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Fellowship (2001-2003)
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
http://www.emory.edu

http://surgery.emory.edu/endosurgery/alumni.html

Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgery Fellowship (2003-2004)
University of South Florida College of Medicine
Tampa, Florida, USA
http://www.usf.edu

http://www.zbmi.com
http://www.zbmi.com/cli-fp.htm

Afterwards, he joined the Advanced Laparoscopic Fellowship training program for two years at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA where he was first exposed to the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure.

Finally, he completed a one-year Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgery Fellowship training program at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, USA where he performed over 400 bariatric operations that year alone, including gastric bypass, LapBand, sleeve gastrectomies and revisional surgeries (converting failed or complicated bariatric operations to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass).

During the last 15 years, Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez has completed hundreds of bariatric operations in 3 different countries (France, the United States, and Guatemala). These operations include gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and revisional bariatric operations.

Since his return to Guatemala, Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez has dedicated most of his practice to bariatric surgery. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and publishing his experience in international medical journals.

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

• Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), 2002
• Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS), 2002
• Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), 2002
• American Hernia Society (AHS), 2003
• Guatemalan College of Surgeons (ACG), 2003
• American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS), 2004
• Guatemalan Gastroenterology Association (GGA), 2005

BARIATRIC SURGERY PUBLICATIONS

• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Edward Lin, Kota Venkatesh, Steven Bowers, C. Daniel Smith. Gastrojejunostomy During Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Analysis of Three Techniques. Archives of Surgery, 2003;138(2):181-184.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Edward Lin, Samer Mattar, Kota Venkatesh, C. Daniel Smith. Gastric bypass for morbid obesity in patients 50 years or older. Is laparoscopic technique safer? The American Surgeon 2003;vol 69(7):547-554.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Steven P. Bowers, Kota R. Venkatesh, Edward Lin, C. Daniel Smith. Preoperative factors predictive of complicated postoperative management after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Surgical Endoscopy 2003;17:1900-1904.
• Archana Ramaswamy, Rodrigo Gonzalez, C. Daniel Smith. Extensive preoperative testing is not necessary in morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric bypass. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2004;8:159-165.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Krista Haines, Scott F. Gallagher, Geremy Sanders, Mitchel Hoffman, Michel M. Murr. Management of incidental ovarian tumors in patients undergoing gastric bypass. Obesity Surgery 2004;14(9);1216-1221.
• Leena Khaitan, Kent Van Sickle, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Edward Lin, Bruce J. Ramshaw, C. Daniel Smith. Laparoscopic revision of bariatric procedures: is it feasible? The American Surgeon 2005;71(1):6-12.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Scott F. Gallagher, Krista Haines, Michel M. Murr. Operative technique for converting a failed vertical banded gastroplasty to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Journal of The American College of Surgeons 2005;201(3):366-374.
• Lana G. Nelson, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Krista Haines, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Amelioration of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for clinically significant obesity. The American Surgeon 2005;71(11):950-954.
• Lana G. Nelson, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Krista Haines, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Spectrum and treatment of small bowel obstruction following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surgery of Obesity and Related Disorders (SOARD) 2006;2(3):377-383.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Krista Haines, Lana G. Nelson, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Predictive factors of thromboembolic events in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surgery of Obesity and Related Disorders (SOARD) 2006;2(1):30-36.
• Lana G. Nelson, Peter P. López, Krista Haines, Bianca Stefan, Taylor Martin, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Patricia Byers, Michel M. Murr. Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients 65 years and older. Surgery of Obesity and Related Disorders (SOARD) 2006;2(3):384-388.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Michael G. Sarr, C. Daniel Smith, Mercedeh Baghai, Michael Kendrick, Samuel Szomstein, Raul Rosenthal, Michel M. Murr. Diagnosis and contemporary management of anastomotic leaks in gastric bypass. Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS) 2007;204(1):47-55.
• Krista L. Haines, Lana G. Nelson, Rodrigo Gonzalez, T Torrella, T Martin, A Kandil, R Dragotti, WM Anderson, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Objective evidence that bariatric surgery improves obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea. Surgery 2007;141(4):354-358.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Krista Hanies, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Does experience preclude leaks in laparoscopic gastric bypass? Surgical Endoscopy 2006:20(11):1687-1692.
• Almahmeed T, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Lana G. Nelson, Krista Haines, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Morbidity of anastomotic leaks in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Archives of Surgery 2007;142(10)954-957.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Lana Nelson, Sharon Boback, Michel M. Murr. Does establishing a bariatric surgery fellowship training program influence operative outcomes? Surgical Endoscopy 2007;21(1):109-114.
• Rodrigo Gonzalez, Lana G. Nelson, Krista Haines, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Added morbidity following anastomotic leaks in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surgical Endoscopy
• Rodrigo Gonzalez. Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in obese patients: Nissen versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (in Spanish). Revista Guatemalteca de Cirugía 2006;15(1):3-7.

ANTIREFLUX SURGERY PUBLICATIONS

• Rodrigo González, Steven P. Bowers, Vickie Swafford, C. Daniel Smith. Pregnancy and delivery after antireflux surgery: Effects on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The American Journal of Surgery 2004;188(1):34-38.
• David A. McClusky III, Leena Khaitan, Rodrigo González, Mercedes Baghai, Kent R. Van Sickle, C. Daniel Smith. A comparison between fluoroscopically guided radiofrequency energy delivery and conventional technique in an animal model of fundoplication failure. Surgical Endoscopy 2007;21(8):1332-1337.

INGUINAL AND VENTRAL HERNIA SURGERY PUBLICATIONS

• Rodrigo González, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Comparison of tissue integration between polyester and polypropylene prostheses in the preperitoneal space. The American Surgeon 2003;69(6):471-477.
• Rodrigo González, Russell Wilson, Edward Mason, Titus Duncan, Bruce Ramshaw. Laparoscopic Versus Open Umbilical Hernia Repair. Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (JSLS) 2003;7(4)323-328.
• Rodrigo González, George Rodeheaver, Deborah Moody, Pamela Foresman, Bruce Ramshaw. Resistance to adhesion formation: A comparative study of five treated mesh products placed in the abdominal cavity. Hernia―The Journal of Hernias and Abdominal Wall Surgery 2004;8(3):213-219.
• Rodrigo González, Archana Ramaswamy, Robert D. Rehnke, John M. Clarke, C. Daniel Smith, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Components separation technique and laparoscopic repair: two evolving strategies for ventral hernia repair. The American Surgeon 2005;71(7):598-605.
• Rodrigo González, Kim Fugate, David McClusky III, E. Matt Ritter, Andrew Lederman, C. Daniel Smith. Relationship between tissue ingrowth and mesh contraction. World Journal of Surgery 2005;29(8):1038-1043.
• Rodrigo González, Archana Ramaswamy, Leena Khaitan, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Initial experience using a new polyester mesh with a Velcro-type mechanism for inguinal hernia repair. (en revisión) Hernia―The Journal of Hernias and Abdominal Wall Surgery.
• Rodrigo González, Mark L. Wulkan, Samer Mattar, Kota Venatesh, Edward Lin, Bruce Ramshaw, C. Daniel Smith. Absorbable versus non-absorbable mesh repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias in a growing animal model. (en revisión) Surgery
• Rodrigo González, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Factores que influencian la incorporación de mallas utilizadas para la reparación de hernias inguinales. Revista Guatemalteca de Cirugía 2004;13(1):3-10.

COLORECTAL SURGERY PUBLICATIONS

• Rodrigo González, C. Daniel Smith, Samer Mattar, Kota Venkatesh, Edward Mason, Titus Duncan, Russel Wilson, Jacqueline Miller, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Laparoscopic versus open resection for the treatment of diverticular disease. Surgical Endoscopy 2004;18(2):276-280.
• Rodrigo González, C. Daniel Smith, Samer G. Mattar, Kota R. Venkatesh, Edward Mason, Jacqueline Miller, Russel Wilson, Titus Duncan, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Laparoscopic palliative surgery for complicated colorectal cancer. Surgical Endoscopy 2005;19(1):43-46.
• Rodrigo González, C. Daniel Smith, Edward Mason, Titus Duncan, Russell Wilson, Jacqueline Miller, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Consequences of conversion in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Diseases of Colon & Rectum 2006;49(2):197-204.
• Rodrigo González, C. Daniel Smith, Samer Mattar, Kota Venkatesh, Edward Mason, Titus Duncan, Russel Wilson, Jacqueline Miller, Bruce Ramshaw. A Decade of Evolution in the Operative Management of Colorectal Diseases. (en revisión) Surgical Endoscopy

SOLID ORGAN SURGERY PUBLICATIONS

• Edward Lin, Samer G. Mattar, Rodrigo González, Steven P. Bowers, K.R. Venkatesh, C. Daniel Smith. Can Present Technology Be Integrated to Facilitate Laparoscopic Live Donor Hepatectomy? Surgical Endoscopy 2003;17(5):750-753.
• Rodrigo González, C. Daniel Smith, David A. McClusky III, Archana Ramaswamy. Gene D. Branum, John G. Hunter, Collin J. Weber. Laparoscopy reduces likelihood of perioperative complications in patients undergoing adrenalectomy. The American Surgeon 2004;70(8):668-674.
• Edward Lin, Rodrigo González, K.R. Venkatesh, Kim M. Fugate, Dirck Dillehay, Thomas G. Heffron, C. Daniel Smith, MD. Laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy reduces acute liver injury—Ovine model. (en revisión) Surgical Endoscopy

OTHER SUBJECTS

• Rodrigo González, Steven P. Bowers, C. Daniel Smith, Bruce J. Ramshaw. Does setting specific goals and providing feedback during training result in better acquisition of laparoscopic skills? The American Surgeon 2004;70(1):35-39.

BOOK CHAPTERS

1. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Bruce Ramshaw. Results of Laparoscopic Incisional and Ventral Herniorrhaphy. In: Karl A. LeBlanc. Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery: An Operative Guide. Arnold Publications, 2003.
2. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Bruce Ramshaw. Oncology. In: Karl A. LeBlanc. Management of Laparoscopic Surgical Complications. Mercel Dekker, Inc., 2004.
3. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Scott F. Gallagher, Michael G. Sarr, Michel M. Murr. Gastric bypass as a revisional procedure. In: Philip R. Schauer, Bruce D. Schirmer, Stacy A. Brethauer. Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery. Springer, New York, 2006
4. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Scott F. Gallagher, Michel M. Murr. Revision for failed vertical banded gastroplasty to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In: Raul J. Rosenthal, Daniel B. Jones. Weight Loss Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Matrix Medical Communications, Pennsylvania, 2008.
5. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Michel M. Murr. Anastomotic leaks following gastric bypass surgery. En: Raul J. Rosenthal, Daniel B. Jones. Weight Loss Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Matrix Medical Communications, Pennsylvania, 2008.

REVIEW CHAPTERS

1. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Michel M. Murr. Preoperative evaluation and intraoperative care of the obese. In: Problems in general surgery. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Boston, MA.
2. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Michel M. Murr. Anastomotic leaks after laparoscopic gastric bypass. En: Ninh T. Nguyen. Anastomotic leak and bleeding after laparoscopic gastric bypass: Management and prevention. Obesity Surgery 2004;14(10):1299-307.
3. Rodrigo Gonzalez, Michel M. Murr. Anastomotic leaks following gastric bypass surgery. Bariatric Times (January 2006)