Meet The Surgeon - Dr. Arun Rao, MD - Bariatric Surgeon

Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center at Clark Rd. 1st Floor Sarasota, FL 34238

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Arun Rao, MD, as medical director of Sarasota Memorial's
Bariatric Services. A board-certified general surgeon, fellowship-trained
in bariatric, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, Dr. Rao provides a comprehensive
program to help patients lose weight safely and resolve many of the conditions
associated with obesity, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea
and lipid disorders.

Dr. T. Patrick Fitzgerald, MD, who founded Sarasota Memorial’s Comprehensive Bariatric Program in 2004, specializes in the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgical procedure. Dr. Fitzgerald received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and was trained in General Surgery at the Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery, a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgery.

John Nora, MD, joined the Comprehensive Bariatric Program in 2007. He earned his medical degree at Northwestern University, including an extern rotation at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland. He trained extensively at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, completing his internship and residency there. Dr. Nora also completed a Critical Care Fellowship at the University of British Columbia and a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Florida. A board-certified general surgeon with extensive training in critical care and vascular surgery, Dr. Nora specializes in robotic assisted Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital currently has a 6 step process Comprehensive Bariatric Program:

Step 1: Get The Facts - Learn about the science of obesity and how to break the chain of events - the who, what, and why me?

Step 2: Get Your Initial Consultation - Call our office to get the facts and make an appointment (941) 917-4753

Step 3: Get To Know Us - Meet our team of surgeons and staff - you will have the most dedicated and highly qualified team on your side

Step 4: Get Questions Answered - We are here to help. Any questions you have we will have the answers for you

Step 5: Get Ready, Get Set, Get Surgery - You've been evaluated and qualified as a candidate for surgery. Learn about your diet, getting back to work, and leading a normal healthy lifestyle

Step 6: Get Back On Your Feet – Walk through the recovery process – Utilize our Support Groups, Learn about your diet, getting back to work, and leading a normal healthy lifestyle