Javier Varela, MD FACS

I graduated from Medical School with Honors at the Universidad Nacional of Colombia. I am double board certified by the ABS and ABOM specialist in General Surgery from the University of Illinois at Chicago with advanced training in Minimally Invasive Surgery/Laparoscopic Surgery, Obesity/Bariatric (weight loss) surgery and esophageal surgery from the University of California Irvine. Have backgrounds in Public Health and Business Administration. I have expertise with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and diabetes surgery. I am also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. My clinical experience includes creating and leading successful research, medical and surgical weight management/obesity programs for adults and adolescents. My academic background includes teaching medical students, residents, MIS fellows and bariatric surgeons both nationally and internationally at major U.S. academic institutions including UTSW in Dallas and Washington University in St. Louis. I have presented my research at several national and international surgical meetings. Have Authored > 100 peered reviewed publications in several Scientific Journals including NATURE Rev, JAMA Surg, Ann Surg, J Clin Investigation, SOARD, JACS, Shock and others. Have pioneered several surgical procedures and techniques. Finally, have been awarded the 2005 UIC teaching award, 2008 VA New Investigator Award, 2011 SAGES "Golden Laparoscope" Young Investigator Award and the 2012 National Institutes of Health/NIDDK Research Award for Clinical Scientists. I have appointment as Professor of Surgery at UCF with leadership experience as Chair of Surgery, Vice Chief of Medical Staff, Chair of Credentials, Member of MEC, others.

Bariatric (Severe Obesity) Procedures

• laparoscopic gastric banding
• laparoscopic gastric bypass

Endocrine (Gland)

• adrenal surgery
• pheochromocytoma

Abdomen and Digestion Disorder/Procedure

• anti-reflux procedures
• appendectomy
• feeding tubes
• fundoplication - laparoscopic
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• peptic ulcer disease
• splenectomy

Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas Disor/Proc

• gallstone disease
• hepatobiliary surgery
• laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• liver biopsy

Hernia Procedures

• abdominal hernia
• component separation
• epigastric hernia
• femoral hernia
• inguinal hernia
• laparoscopic hernia repair
• paraesophageal hernia
• umbilical hernia
• ventral hernia

Minimal Access Surgery

Colon and Rectal Disorders/Cancer

• laparoscopic colon surgery

Minimally Invasive Procedures

• endoscopic surgery
• laparoscopic surgery
• robotic surgery

Thoracic

• achalasia
• Barrett's esophagus
• esophageal surgery
• hiatal hernia
• myotomy

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas

Dallas, TX

Assistant Professor

Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

St. Louis, MO

Associate Professor

University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Orlando, FL

Professor

01/2017—Present