Director of Bariatric Surgery
Palmetto General Hospital
Jorge L. Sosa, M.D., began his career in the fast-paced, high-stress world of trauma surgery. Now, he saves lives in a different way, by performing bariatric surgery on morbidly obese adults, seniors, and soon adolescents.
Dr. Sosa became interested in treating obese patients when he learned of the laparoscopic methods used in modern gastric bypass surgeries. He became one of the first bariatric surgeons in South Florida in 2001 and was named Director of Bariatric Surgery at Palmetto General Hospital in 2005.
As bariatric surgery has become increasingly popular, Dr. Sosa has witnessed several notable trends in his field, including greater numbers of elderly and adolescent patients.
“Morbidly obese seniors are looking to improve their quality of life, whereas adolescents are beginning to realize they need to prevent organ damage and the onset of diabetes,” says Dr. Sosa.
One driving factor behind the increase in elderly patients is that Medicare now covers the cost of bariatric surgery, provided that it is performed at a Bariatric Center of Excellence, such as Palmetto General Hospital.
Palmetto General also will become one of the first hospitals in South Florida to offer gastric bypass surgery to teenagers. According to Dr. Sosa, the standards that he uses to screen these younger patients will be stricter than those used for adults and will involve psychiatric counseling for both the adolescent and his/her family, compared to just the patients in adult cases.
“Adolescents must prove that they are ready for the life-changing experience of gastric bypass surgery,” he says.
Dr. Sosa received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida International University in 1983, where he was first in his class. He earned his medical degree from University of South Florida School of Medicine in 1987.
At Palmetto General Hospital, Dr. Sosa serves as chairman of the Bariatric Quality Review Committee and a member of the Operating Room Committee.
A native of Cuba and current resident of Miami Lakes, Dr. Sosa is board-certified in surgery and is fellowship-trained in trauma and critical care. He is an active member of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.
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