Dr. Audencio Alanis, MD

Dr. Audencio Alanis, MD Bariatric and General Surgery

Dr. Audencio Alanis, MD, is a general and bariatric surgeon practicing in League City, Texas. His work has focused heavily on metabolic and bariatric surgery, including procedures designed to help selected patients with obesity achieve substantial and lasting weight reduction. Current professional sources identify bariatric surgery as his principal area of practice, while Doximity lists his broader specialty as general surgery.

Dr. Alanis practices with East Houston Surgical Associates. His current practice information states that he has worked in Texas since 1986 and that bariatric care accounts for most of his surgical practice. His experience includes both open and laparoscopic bariatric procedures, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric band procedures.

Patients looking for additional surgical specialists can also visit the Doctiplus Surgery General & Specialized category. Doctiplus uses this category for physicians providing general and specialized surgical care.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also called metabolic or weight-loss surgery, changes parts of the digestive system to help selected patients lose weight. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that these operations are intended for people with obesity who need substantial weight loss and have not achieved adequate results through other approaches.

Dr. Alanis has spent a substantial part of his career performing bariatric procedures. His current practice describes him as one of the earlier surgeons involved in bariatric surgery in the Houston area and states that the large majority of his present practice is devoted to bariatrics.

Bariatric surgery is not simply a cosmetic procedure. Obesity can be connected with conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, sleep apnea, heart disease, and joint problems. For appropriately selected patients, weight-loss surgery may help improve several obesity-related medical conditions as well as support meaningful weight reduction.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the bariatric procedures included in Dr. Alanis’s surgical experience. His practice specifically lists sleeve gastrectomy among the operations he has performed.

During sleeve gastrectomy, surgeons remove a significant portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller stomach with a sleeve-like shape. The operation changes how much food the stomach can hold and also affects biological signals involved in appetite and metabolism.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases identifies sleeve gastrectomy as one of the commonly performed forms of metabolic and bariatric surgery. NIDDK also explains that most modern weight-loss operations are performed laparoscopically, using small incisions and specialized instruments.

Whether sleeve gastrectomy is appropriate depends on the patient’s overall health, weight-related conditions, previous treatment, surgical history, and individual goals.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is another procedure associated with Dr. Alanis’s bariatric practice. His professional biography lists extensive experience with this operation in both open and laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Gastric bypass creates a smaller stomach pouch and changes the route food takes through part of the small intestine. These changes can reduce food intake and alter the way nutrients and metabolic signals are processed.

Long-term research supported by NIDDK has found that gastric bypass can produce durable weight loss and may substantially improve type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related conditions in some patients. Results differ between individuals, and continued medical follow-up remains important after surgery.

Choosing gastric bypass requires careful discussion of potential benefits, risks, nutritional responsibilities, and the lifestyle changes required after surgery.

Gastric Band Surgery

Dr. Alanis’s historical bariatric experience also includes adjustable gastric band procedures.

A gastric band is surgically positioned around part of the stomach to restrict the amount of food a person can comfortably consume at one time. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to classify gastric bands among regulated medical devices intended for weight-loss treatment in selected adult patients.

Bariatric surgery has changed considerably over time, and different procedures have gained or lost popularity as evidence and surgical techniques have developed.

Patients considering bariatric surgery today should therefore discuss which operation is currently recommended for their individual situation rather than assuming that a procedure used commonly in the past remains the best option.

Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

A major development in bariatric surgery has been the move toward minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.

Dr. Alanis’s training and professional history include additional education in laparoscopic bariatric surgery through UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His practice biography documents laparoscopic bariatric training in 2002 and describes extensive experience performing minimally invasive weight-loss operations.

NIDDK explains that most weight-loss operations are now performed laparoscopically. Compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery may involve less postoperative discomfort and scarring and may allow a faster recovery for appropriately selected patients.

The surgical approach still depends on the patient’s health, previous operations, anatomy, and the type of procedure being performed.

Benefits Of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery may provide benefits extending beyond weight reduction.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, metabolic and bariatric surgery may improve several conditions associated with obesity, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, heart disease, urinary incontinence, and certain forms of joint pain.

Long-term outcomes vary. The amount of weight lost and the degree of health improvement depend on several factors, including the procedure performed, the patient’s starting health, nutrition, activity, follow-up care, and individual response.

Bariatric surgery therefore works best as part of a broader long-term healthcare plan rather than as a single isolated intervention.

Risks And Possible Complications

All operations involve risk, and bariatric surgery is no exception.

NIDDK lists potential short-term complications of weight-loss surgery that can include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and leakage from surgically connected or stapled areas of the digestive system. Longer-term nutritional and gastrointestinal issues can also occur depending on the procedure.

Patients considering surgery should understand both potential benefits and possible complications before deciding to proceed.

Preoperative assessment helps the surgical team identify medical conditions that might increase risk. After surgery, continued follow-up can help identify nutritional deficiencies, digestive symptoms, weight regain, or other concerns that may need treatment.

Long-Term Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery

Weight-loss surgery requires continuing medical care after the operation.

Patients may need changes in meal size, eating patterns, vitamin and mineral supplementation, physical activity, and medication use. Laboratory testing may also be necessary to monitor nutrition and overall health.

The type and frequency of follow-up vary according to the bariatric procedure and the patient’s medical history.

A patient who develops persistent vomiting, difficulty eating, significant abdominal symptoms, or another unexpected change after bariatric surgery should contact the treating healthcare team rather than trying to manage the problem independently.

Long-term follow-up is also useful for monitoring weight changes and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol as health improves after surgery.

General Surgery

Although bariatric care makes up a major part of Dr. Alanis’s practice, his professional background is in general surgery. Doximity currently categorizes him as a general surgeon in League City.

His practice states that he also has experience with several other laparoscopic surgical procedures, including laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, ventral hernia repair, and anti-reflux surgery.

General surgeons are trained to evaluate and operate on a broad range of conditions involving the abdomen, digestive tract, gallbladder, hernias, and related structures.

Whether surgery is appropriate depends on the diagnosis and severity of the condition. Some problems may initially be managed with observation or nonsurgical treatment, while others require operative intervention.

Gallbladder Surgery

Dr. Alanis’s practice lists laparoscopic cholecystectomy among his non-bariatric general surgical procedures.

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It may be recommended when gallstones or other gallbladder disorders repeatedly cause symptoms or complications.

Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery generally uses several small incisions rather than a large abdominal incision.

Patients with abdominal pain should not assume gallstones are the cause without proper evaluation because stomach, liver, pancreas, intestinal, and other conditions can sometimes produce similar symptoms.

Imaging, laboratory testing, medical history, and examination can help determine whether the gallbladder is responsible.

Hernia Surgery

Dr. Alanis’s professional information also identifies laparoscopic ventral hernia repair among procedures he performs.

A hernia develops when tissue or an organ pushes through a weakened area in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue.

Some hernias remain relatively stable, while others become painful or enlarge. Surgical repair may be considered according to the location, symptoms, size, health of the patient, and risk of complications.

The surgical approach can differ between patients. Open and laparoscopic techniques may both be appropriate in different circumstances.

A surgeon can explain the recommended approach, expected recovery, and possibility of recurrence before treatment.

Surgical Oncology Training

Dr. Alanis’s professional history also includes surgical oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. His practice biography places this training during 1985 and 1986.

Surgical oncology focuses on the operative management of cancer and the principles involved in removing tumors safely while considering surrounding tissue and other aspects of cancer treatment.

This training forms part of Dr. Alanis’s broader surgical background, although his current practice is primarily focused on bariatric and general surgery rather than cancer care.

Education And Medical Training

Dr. Alanis received his medical education from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico. His own practice biography states that he received his medical degree in 1978. Current independent physician directories show slightly different graduation-year information, so the physician’s own professional biography is the more direct source for this detail.

After relocating to the United States, he completed surgical training at institutions including St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey, Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, and St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut, with training connected to Yale University.

Doximity independently documents a transitional internship at St. Francis Medical Center from 1983 to 1984 and surgery residency training at St. Mary’s Hospital from 1984 through 1987.

His professional biography also records advanced surgical oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and later laparoscopic bariatric surgery education at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Professional Surgical Experience

Dr. Alanis has worked in Texas since 1986, according to his current practice biography. His professional history includes leadership roles related to general and bariatric surgery at Houston-area hospitals.

His biography records positions that included Chief of Surgery at Doctors Hospital Parkway and bariatric program leadership at Houston medical facilities. It also documents extensive continuing education related to laparoscopic and bariatric surgery.

His current practice describes bariatric surgery as the predominant part of his work and reports several thousand bariatric operations during his career.

Because procedure counts reported on different parts of the practice website vary, it is more accurate to describe his experience as several thousand bariatric procedures rather than use a single exact lifetime number.

Current Practice Location

As of August 13, 2026, Dr. Audencio Alanis practices with East Houston Surgical Associates in League City, Texas.

His current practice address is:

201 Enterprise Avenue, Suite 100
League City, Texas 77573

The address is listed consistently by his medical practice and Doximity.

Current Healthgrades information identifies him as a bariatric surgery specialist at the same League City location and reports that his office accepts new patients and offers telehealth appointments.

Because appointment availability, insurance participation, and telehealth policies can change, patients should verify current information directly before scheduling.

Hospital Affiliation

Current HCA Houston Healthcare information lists Dr. Alanis as a bariatric surgery physician. Healthgrades also identifies HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast as his hospital affiliation.

HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast serves patients in the southeast Houston and Pasadena area and provides surgical and hospital-based medical services.

Hospital privileges and operating locations can change, so patients planning a bariatric or general surgical procedure should confirm where their specific operation will be performed.

Preparing For A Bariatric Surgery Consultation

Patients considering bariatric surgery can prepare for an initial consultation by bringing a detailed medical history, medication list, information about previous weight-management attempts, previous operations, laboratory results, and records related to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.

It can also be useful to prepare questions about the recommended procedure, expected weight-loss pattern, possible complications, nutritional requirements, recovery, long-term follow-up, and alternatives to surgery.

A bariatric consultation should help determine not only whether surgery is technically possible but whether the patient is medically prepared for the long-term changes that follow an operation.

Patients should also make sure they understand what follow-up care will be required after surgery and which members of the healthcare team will help manage nutrition, medications, and weight-related health conditions.

Long-Term Bariatric Care

Dr. Alanis’s career combines general surgical training with a long-standing focus on bariatric surgery. His current practice identifies sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and other bariatric procedures among his areas of experience, along with selected laparoscopic general surgery procedures.

For patients considering metabolic and bariatric surgery, the decision should involve more than the procedure itself. Appropriate patient selection, realistic expectations, surgical safety, nutritional planning, and continued medical follow-up all contribute to long-term results.

NIDDK’s bariatric surgery guidance emphasizes that weight-loss surgery can provide meaningful health benefits for selected patients while also carrying potential risks and the need for continuing care.