Dr. Arundathi Rao, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Surgeon
1700 S Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL, 34239Rating
5/5
About
A board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon, Arundathi Rao, MD, FACS, FASMBS is the Medical Director of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Bariatric and Metabolic Health Center in Sarasota, Florida. She can also be found on staff at First Physicians Group in Sarasota. Dr. Rao specializes in advanced surgical procedures for weight loss including robotic bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, lap banding and revisions of previous bariatric procedures. Dr. Rao is known for her compassionate, comprehensive, and personal approach to helping patients lose weight, both in and out of the operating room. She answers all of her patients’ questions to help solve their obesity-related health issues and reserves surgery as a last option.
Dr. Arundathi Rao, MD, FACS, FASMBS's Videos
Education and Training
St. George’s School of Medicine medical degree 2003
Board Certification
American Board of Surgery (ABS)
SurgeryAmerican Board of SurgeryABS
Provider Details
Dr. Arundathi Rao, MD, FACS, FASMBS's Expert Contributions
What is the best surgery for a hiatal hernia?
This is an excellent question. There is no “best surgery“. If there were a “best” surgery then we would only offer that one procedure. The decision to fix a hiatal hernia actually starts with what type of symptoms you’re actually experiencing and what the findings from your endoscopy showed. There is a work up required beyond the endoscopy in order to determine which procedure is best suited for you. These decisions aren’t just based on the fact that you have a hiatal hernia, but also on your Health status as well as the function of your esophagus, stomach, and even the medication as you might be on. I would highly recommend discussing this further with your primary care physician and to the surgeon that your primary care physician might refer you to. I hope this answers your question, but feel free to reach out and ask a follow-up question if this did not address your concerns. Good luck! READ MORE
Can hospice patients have surgery?
This is quite a complex issue. Surgery in any field boils down to risk to benefit ratio. It’s important to understand that hospice and DNR (Do not resuscitate) status does not mean do not treat. Hospice is all about preserving the quality of life of a patient as they take their final steps from life to death. If there is something in particular that is making him miserable or uncomfortable and it is straightforward, I suspect that surgical intervention is an option as long as the risk benefit ratio is in his favor. This is a very tricky topic, especially for surgeons because outsiders looking in may not understand the thought of going to surgery with somebody who might be terminal. With that being said, your family and those that are acting in the best interest of your grandfather as well as your grandfather Should have a say in what is done. Praying for peace for both your family as well as your grandfather. READ MORE
How do you clear your lungs after anesthesia?
Using an incentive spirometer (IS) and ambulating (walking) are probably the biggest things you can do. If you are using the IS appropriately, expect that it will make you cough. That is the equivalent of clearing those lungs. I recommend 10 times an hour while you are awake after surgery. Depending on the length of the surgery, you should continue to use your IS for 7-10 days. Good luck with your upcoming surgery. READ MORE
Am I eligible for bariatric surgery?
I am a bariatric surgeon. Yes, you would be eligible. Insurance may or may not cover based on your coverage and the insurance companies pre-set requirements. The cut off is a BMI of 35, usually with 1-2 co-morbid conditions (hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc). At a BMI of 40 or greater, insurance may or may not require other co-morbid conditions. There are cash pay options if insurance does not cover as well. Make sure you look for an ASMBS designated surgeon. Remember that bariatric surgery isn't magic. It is a tool to help you in your pursuit of health. The surgeon is important, but an actual program with support in the form of dieticians and support groups is absolutely essential if you are to realize life-long success. Good luck on your journey! READ MORE
What happens if you wake up during surgery?
Though this has happened, it is an extremely EXTREMELY rare event. Anesthesia protocols and technology provide for much better outcomes and well administered anesthetic. If, by chance, you were to wake up in the middle of the case, the anesthesiologist or CRNA would administer more anesthetic to ensure you proceed safely throughout your procedure. Hope this helps, Dr. Rao READ MORE
Post surgery?
There are many reasons patients may have sleep apnea. Issues such as obesity, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, and even enlarged tongues can cause severe sleep apnea. Since there was a certain amount of alteration to your upper airway as a result of surgery, you will need a titration of your CPAP in order to ensure you are getting the support you need while you sleep. Let me also congratulate you on using a CPAP machine. Sleep apnea is a serious issue and many people who have it won't even consider a study let alone treatment. Severe sleep apnea that goes untreated can increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, dementia and even cancer. Keep using that CPAP, but get the titration study done along with a thumbs up of your ENT. Good luck! READ MORE
Recovery after surgery?
Please communicate with the surgeon who performed this procedure. Before leaving the hospital from any procedure, and in fact, during your pre-operative appointment you should know what the expectations are when the procedure is completed. Time can be of the essence when dealing with neurological deficits post surgery. If you cannot get in touch with your surgeon, a visit to the ER would be the next step. This is not something I would recommend waiting for until your receive a response unless otherwise instructed by the doctors office. Hope this helps you. READ MORE
Should I be concerned about my stomach pain?
It is hard to give you a diagnosis without examining you and getting more of a history. The top three things I would suspect would include: Gallbladder issues, gastric ulcers or severe reflux, or kidney stones. This is by far and away not the only thing it could be and my recommendation would be to go to the hospital even though the wait time is ridiculous. The other option is to see your primary care physician. They can order tests and potentially treat you without having to admit you. What you don't want to happen is for this to get worse, turn into a real medical emergency, and then deal with trying to be seen in a busy ER. Delay in treatment in any situation can be a life or death concern. Prioritize your health. Your body is telling you something isn't quite right. Praying for healing. READ MORE
How accurate is a rectal exam?
I am unclear about the question you are asking. A bowel blockage from constipation should not routinely require a rectal examination. If this is something that you frequently deal with then I would recommend working on ways to prevent the constipation. Drink 80-100 ounces of water daily. Increase fruits and veggies. Consider taking a teaspoon to a tablespoon of coconut oil by mouth everyday (it is a natural laxative). Do your best to start having more frequent bowel movements. Additionally, you should consider having yearly physical exams (at your age, a rectal exam is not something that is routine during a yearly physical unless you have a significant family history of prostate cancer or there are other factors at play). Good luck READ MORE
Pain after surgery?
This could be normal, but it might not. Nerve impingement can cause this type of sensation. Likely the nerve that is causing this discomfort is a sensory nerve and not a motor nerve. In other words, this a nerve that is related to feeling and not moving your arm. I would notify your surgeon to ensure that he feels this is normal. If this sensation continues he may recommend a steroid pack or an evaluation with pain management. Good luck. READ MORE
Bad abdomen pains?
These symptoms could mean a whole host of things. Helpful information would include: any other symptoms? Associated with eating? What improves the pain and what makes it worse? When did it start? In essence, a full work up would be indicated in this situation. Don't ignore the symptoms and assume it will get better. As physicians, outcomes are commonly related to how quickly the patient presents. Don't wait. Get evaluated. READ MORE
What is wrong with my abdomen?
My recommendation would be to keep a food journal to see if you can identify if there is a food trigger. Along the same lines, I would recommend seeing an allergist and and a gastroenterologist. Upper and lower endoscopy (camera's used to look in your stomach and colon)may prove helpful. There are a number of GI conditions that can cause chronic abdominal pain including H.pylori, Celiac disease, SIBO and even ulcers/inflammation of the intestinal tract. I had similar issues at your age and these pains were directly related to stress. I had irritable bowel syndrom (IBS) and I was also lactose intolerant. Your brain is the most powerful thing you have and it can cause all sorts of things to happen as a result of stress and worry. Don't neglect that aspect as you search for answers (and no, it's not all in your head). :) READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Medical Director Sarasota Memorial Hospital Bariatric and Metabolic Health Center -
- Director Metabolic and Bariatric Center 2017 - Present
Professional Memberships
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Fellowships
- Celebration Hospital bariatric, minimally invasive, and robotic surgery
Fellowships
- Celebration Health (2010)
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Arundathi Rao, MD, FACS, FASMBS's Practice location
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1700 S Tamiami Trl -Sarasota, FL 34239Get Direction
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
5880 Rand Boulevard Suite 101 -Sarasota, FL 34238Get Direction
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Media Releases
Get to know Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Arundathi Rao, who serves patients in Sarasota, Florida.
A board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon, Dr. Rao is the Medical Director of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Bariatric and Metabolic Health Center. As such, she oversees the full range of medical, surgical and support services provided by the hospital and its bariatric team.
Founded in 1925, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the flagship, 829-bed, acute-care hospital of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. It is the only hospital in the Suncoast region continuously ranked among the top hospitals in the nation, providing superior patient outcomes, advanced specialties and a range of preventive screening, diagnostic and post-acute services.
Recruited not only for her expertise and success in advanced, minimally invasive weight-loss procedures, but also for her compassionate, comprehensive and personal approach to helping patients lose weight and resolve obesity-related health issues, Dr. Rao welcomes questions and aims to ensure that patients have a complete understanding of their surgical options and treatment plans for overcoming obesity.
Her specialties and practice focus on advanced surgical procedures for weight loss, including: da Vinci-assisted, robotic bariatric surgery, roux-en-y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve), adjustable gastric banding (lap banding), and complex revisions or repairs of previous bariatric procedures.
Graduating with her medical degree from St. George’s School of Medicine, Dr. Rao completed her residency at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and her fellowship in bariatric, minimally invasive, and robotic surgery at Celebration Hospital in Celebration, Florida.
As a testament of her continued education, she is board-certified in bariatric surgery and general surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.
Maintaining fellowship status, Dr. Rao is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS).
Among her other roles, she regularly hosts Meet the Surgeon seminars, where patients can learn more about the SMH bariatrics program and have all of their weight-loss surgery questions answered. She also serves as the bariatric surgeon on staff at First Physicians Group in Sarasota, Florida.
Bariatric surgery (or weight loss surgery) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese. Long-term weight loss through Standard of Care procedures (Roux en Y Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch) is largely achieved by altering gut hormone levels that are responsible for hunger and satiety, thereby leading to a new hormonal weight set point. A doctor who specializes in this type of surgery is known as a bariatric surgeon.
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