I absolutely love this place and Dr. Cavazos.
Shana G.
Melinda Verduzco Gonzalez
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
210-651-0303
Melinda Verduzco Gonzalez is a board certified Physician Assistant with over 8 years of experience in Bariatrics. She is a native of the Rio Grande Valley and received her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
She studied medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, graduating with a degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2007.
She has focused her practice in general and Bariatric surgery to include: minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic first -assist, robotic cases, and open surgery.
Melinda also has extensive experience in managing post-operative patient care, lap band adjustments as well as weight loss management to include optimizing nutrition, healthy lifestyle goals, resistance exercise training and pharmacotherapy. She loves helping patients make their comeback. She is trained in acute urgent care medicine, advanced wound care, and cosmetic injections.
Melinda has always had a passion for teaching and partaking in research to include the UT Health Science Center and St. Mary’s health careers program. Educating students about the PA profession is a hobby she enjoys doing. Some of her academic accomplishments have been: Being a clinical preceptor for Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner programs, her Master’s thesis was published in the American Journal of Cardiology which helped to improve heart failure outcomes, and she was invited to present her research in Baltimore, MD at the American Heart Association conference.
PA Gonzalez has also co-authored a children’s book, Larvie Learns A Lesson,
which emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle to include nutrition and exercise.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, bargain shopping, being a dance mom, and spending time with her loving husband and two adorable children.
Melinda is excited to join SAGE Bariatric in continuing to promote health and encouraging her patients to live their best lives.
Patient Testimonials
All 4 of my doctors had mentioned Bariatric surgery, but only one actually gave me the referral. Thank God it was to Dr. Cavazos. His staff impressed me from the very first day. The “people come first” approach was apparent before, during, and after the procedure; I couldn’t believe that I was only in the hospital for 48 hours, and within two weeks it was as if I hadn’t been there at all. The follow-up was great. Within a week of my procedure the nurses from the recovery floor called to ask me how I was doing, and the calls didn’t stop there. Everyone has made themselves available to answer any questions presented. I am very glad that I was not presented with any complications, and it seems that this change in lifestyle was seamless. I eat less but my tummy does not mind at all. The decision to have a gastric bypass was made to eliminate many of y medical issues which have manifested due to my obesity, including, but not limited to, sleep apnea, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, just to mention a few. I was apprehensive because I knew that a lifestyle change would be needed, and I was happy eating everything I shouldn’t. Dr. Cavazos was very compassionate and looked at me as a person with valid issues instead of an insurance card holder. He assured me every step of the way and confirmed the need. He even went the extra mile to consult with my cardiologist to insure my aftercare did not affect my cardio plan. He told me that after surgery and subsequent weight loss, many of my physical issues would go away. Well he didn’t lie. The day after my surgery my Diabetes was in remission and since then, my primary doctor has stopped all but two of my medications (previously I was taking 9 medications.) I lost 40 lbs in the first 7 weeks and do not struggle up the stairs or feel tired all the time, and I am not hungry all the time like I was before. I am soooo glad I decided to make this change. -G.O.
G.O.
Dr. Cavazos was such a kind and caring physician during my surgery, before and after! I am so thankful to have had such a wonderful doctor!
Marla F.
Y’all are INCREDIBLE – Dr. Cavazos is AMAZING!!
Diana D.
My entire experience with TCMSWL/Sage has been fantastic. I lost 100 pounds and have kept it off for 3 years. Absolutely wonderful staff and Dr. Cavazos is the BEST! ~ Kathy R.
Kathy R.