Dr. Robert Marvin, MD

Dr. Robert Marvin, MD Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgeon

Dr. Robert Marvin, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon whose practice focuses on bariatric, metabolic, and minimally invasive procedures for adults living with obesity and related health concerns. His services include surgical weight-loss procedures, endoscopic treatment, revision surgery, medically supervised care, nutritional planning, and long-term follow-up.

His official practice profile identifies him as a minimally invasive surgeon with additional certification in surgical critical care. He practices through Houston Surgical Specialists and has provided obesity-focused surgical care since entering private practice.

Patients may consult Dr. Marvin after lifestyle changes or medical treatment have not produced lasting results, when obesity is affecting conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or when a previous bariatric procedure is causing symptoms or no longer providing adequate support.

A bariatric consultation does not automatically lead to surgery. The purpose of the first visit is to review the patient’s health, previous treatment, goals, procedure preferences, surgical risks, and ability to follow the nutritional and medical plan required after treatment.

About Dr. Robert Marvin

Dr. Marvin provides bariatric and minimally invasive surgical care through Houston Surgical Specialists. His practice offers several treatment pathways rather than applying the same operation to every patient.

His areas of care may include:

• Bariatric surgery assessment
• Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
• Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
• Gastric bypass
• Adjustable gastric band care
• Gastric balloon treatment
• Revision of previous bariatric procedures
• Medical weight-management support
• Nutritional assessment
• Vitamin and mineral monitoring
• Postoperative follow-up
• Evaluation of symptoms after bariatric treatment
• Minimally invasive abdominal surgery

Patients comparing procedural approaches can read about the differences between endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and gastric sleeve surgery.

Professional Background

Dr. Marvin’s background includes general surgery, trauma surgery, surgical critical care, academic medicine, and minimally invasive surgery.

After completing advanced surgical critical care training, he joined the University of Texas medical faculty as an assistant professor of surgery. His official biography states that he taught and practiced through the trauma service at Hermann Hospital while providing general, trauma, and critical care surgery. He entered private surgical practice in 2000 and later concentrated his work on obesity treatment and minimally invasive procedures.

This broader surgical background can be relevant when evaluating patients who have:

• Several chronic medical conditions
• A history of abdominal surgery
• A complicated earlier bariatric procedure
• Significant surgical risk
• A need for revision treatment
• Symptoms that require both medical and surgical assessment

Education and Surgical Training

Training area	Institution	Details
Undergraduate education	University of Southern California	Bachelor’s degree in biology, magna cum laude, 1985
Medical education	McGill University Faculty of Medicine	MDCM medical degree, 1989
Residency	University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio	General surgery, 1989 to 1994
Fellowship	University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston	Surgical critical care, 1995 to 1996
Academic appointment	University of Texas medical faculty	Assistant professor of surgery following fellowship
Main clinical focus	Bariatric and minimally invasive surgery	Surgical, endoscopic, and revision treatment

Dr. Marvin completed his undergraduate education at the University of Southern California before attending medical school at McGill University in Montreal.

He then completed general surgery residency training in San Antonio. His practice biography states that he served as administrative chief resident during his final year and later completed a surgical critical care fellowship in Houston.

General surgery residency prepares physicians to diagnose and surgically manage abdominal, digestive, emergency, and other surgical conditions. Surgical critical care training adds experience caring for patients with serious illness, major operations, trauma, organ dysfunction, and complex postoperative needs.

Board Certification and Professional Credentials

Dr. Marvin’s official practice describes him as a board-certified surgeon with additional certification in surgical critical care. Current professional records identify general surgery, bariatric surgery, trauma surgery, and surgical critical care within his background.

His qualifications include:

• MD or MDCM, indicating completion of medical education
• General surgery residency training
• Surgical critical care fellowship training
• Board certification in general surgery
• Additional certification in surgical critical care
• Training in laparoscopic bariatric procedures
• Experience with endoscopic obesity treatment

Board certification is separate from medical licensing. A medical license permits a physician to practice, while board certification reflects specialty training and professional assessment.

Patients who need formal confirmation for insurance, credentialing, or another administrative purpose should verify current certification and licensing directly with the appropriate board or clinic.

What a Bariatric Surgeon Does

A bariatric surgeon evaluates and treats obesity through procedures that change stomach capacity, digestion, hunger signals, or eating mechanics.

Treatment is not based only on body weight. The surgeon may also consider:

• Body mass index
• Diabetes or insulin resistance
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• High cholesterol
• Fatty liver disease
• Joint or mobility concerns
• Previous weight-management treatment
• Earlier abdominal surgery
• Medication history
• Eating patterns
• Emotional and behavioral readiness
• The patient’s ability to attend long-term follow-up

Obesity care may involve lifestyle treatment, medication, endoscopic procedures, bariatric surgery, or a combination of approaches.

Patients who are not ready for a procedure may find it useful to review comprehensive approaches to obesity management.

The Initial Bariatric Assessment

The first appointment usually focuses on understanding why earlier treatment has not produced a lasting result and which options fit the patient’s medical needs.

Dr. Marvin may review:

• Current weight and recent changes
• Earlier weight-loss attempts
• Previous diets or structured programs
• Current and past weight-related medication
• Diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol
• Sleep symptoms
• Digestive conditions
• Reflux
• Earlier abdominal procedures
• Previous bariatric treatment
• Medication and supplement use
• Family medical history
• Smoking or nicotine exposure
• Alcohol use
• Eating patterns and food tolerance
• Personal treatment goals

The assessment should also identify concerns that may need treatment before a procedure, such as uncontrolled diabetes, severe heart or lung disease, untreated sleep apnea, nutritional deficiencies, or active digestive disease.

Choosing Between Medical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Care

Weight-management treatment exists along a range rather than as a single choice.

Medical care

Medical treatment may combine nutrition guidance, physical activity suited to the patient’s ability, behavioral support, and prescription medication when appropriate.

Endoscopic treatment

An endoscopic procedure is completed through the mouth without external abdominal incisions. It may offer a middle option for selected patients who need more support than medication and lifestyle treatment but do not want or qualify for conventional bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery

Surgical procedures generally produce greater anatomical and metabolic change. They may be considered when more substantial treatment is needed or when obesity-related medical problems have become difficult to control.

The most appropriate choice depends on the patient’s health, treatment history, expected benefit, risk tolerance, and willingness to follow long-term nutrition and follow-up requirements.

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, often shortened to ESG, is performed through the mouth using a flexible endoscope and a suturing system.

The surgeon places sutures inside the stomach to reduce its usable volume and reshape it into a narrower structure. No part of the stomach is removed, and there are no external abdominal incisions.

Dr. Marvin’s practice lists ESG as one of its main obesity-treatment services and identifies him as an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty consultant involved in professional training.

ESG may be discussed with selected patients who:

• Meet the practice’s medical eligibility requirements
• Have not achieved durable results with earlier treatment
• Prefer an incision-free option
• Do not want permanent removal of stomach tissue
• Can follow a staged eating plan
• Can attend nutritional and medical follow-up

ESG is less invasive than bariatric surgery, but it is still a medical procedure requiring anesthesia, preparation, dietary changes, and follow-up.

Possible early concerns may include nausea, abdominal discomfort, dehydration, difficulty tolerating fluids, or symptoms related to the sutures or altered stomach shape. Patients should follow the specific postoperative instructions supplied by the treating team.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure in which a large portion of the stomach is permanently removed. The remaining stomach is shaped into a narrower sleeve.

This reduces stomach capacity and may also affect hormones involved in hunger, fullness, and metabolism.

Sleeve gastrectomy may be considered when:

• A patient needs greater weight reduction than an endoscopic procedure is expected to provide
• Obesity-related medical conditions are significant
• The patient meets surgical eligibility requirements
• A permanent anatomical change is acceptable
• Long-term nutritional follow-up is possible

Potential benefits must be weighed against risks such as bleeding, infection, leakage, blood clots, reflux, narrowing, dehydration, or nutritional problems.

Patients should ask whether existing acid reflux could improve or worsen after sleeve surgery and whether another procedure may be more suitable.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch and changes the route food follows through part of the digestive system.

The procedure combines restriction with changes in digestion and metabolic signaling. It may be considered for selected patients with severe obesity or important obesity-related health problems.

A gastric bypass assessment may consider:

• Diabetes
• Acid reflux
• Previous weight-loss treatment
• Eating patterns
• Earlier abdominal surgery
• Medication use
• Nutritional health
• The patient’s ability to take long-term supplements
• Expected surgical benefit and risk

Patients undergoing gastric bypass normally require ongoing monitoring for deficiencies involving iron, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients.

Symptoms after surgery such as continuing vomiting, severe abdominal pain, inability to drink, black stool, or rapid weakness require prompt medical guidance.

Adjustable Gastric Band Care

An adjustable gastric band is placed around the upper stomach to create a smaller passage for food.

Although this approach is now used less often than some newer bariatric procedures, patients who already have a band may still need long-term care.

Reasons for assessment may include:

• Inadequate weight change
• Weight regain
• Reflux
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Food intolerance
• Band slippage
• Erosion
• Port problems
• A need for adjustment
• Consideration of removal or revision

Patients should not assume that recurring vomiting or difficulty eating is a normal effect of a gastric band. These symptoms may require imaging, adjustment, or another form of treatment.

Gastric Balloon Treatment

A gastric balloon is temporarily placed inside the stomach to reduce available space and support earlier fullness.

The balloon is not permanent and must be removed according to the treatment schedule.

It may be offered as part of a structured program involving:

• Medical evaluation
• Nutrition planning
• Dietary progression
• Behavior change
• Follow-up visits
• Planning for weight maintenance after removal

Some patients experience nausea or discomfort during the adjustment period. Persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, increasing abdominal pain, or unexpected symptoms require contact with the treatment team.

Patients should confirm which balloon systems are currently available through Dr. Marvin’s practice because services and devices may change.

Revision Bariatric Surgery

Revision treatment is used when an earlier bariatric procedure is no longer working as intended or has caused a complication.

Reasons for revision assessment may include:

• Significant weight regain
• Inadequate initial response
• Severe reflux
• Difficulty swallowing
• Repeated vomiting
• Gastric band complications
• Enlargement of a pouch or connection
• Nutritional problems
• Ulcers
• Anatomical changes
• Pain or digestive symptoms
• The need to convert one procedure to another

Revision surgery may be more complex than a first bariatric operation because scar tissue and changed anatomy can affect the procedure.

The evaluation may involve:

• Previous operative reports
• Endoscopy
• Upper gastrointestinal imaging
• Blood testing
• Nutritional assessment
• Review of eating patterns
• Assessment of the original procedure
• Discussion of realistic goals

Revision is not always the right answer. Some patients may benefit more from nutritional support, medical treatment, behavioral care, or correction of a specific problem without converting the entire operation.

Obesity-Related Health Conditions

Bariatric and metabolic treatment may affect more than weight.

Patients may be evaluated for conditions including:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Fatty liver disease
• Acid reflux
• Joint discomfort
• Reduced mobility
• Cardiovascular risk
• Fertility or menstrual concerns
• Reduced physical endurance

Improvement cannot be guaranteed. Results differ according to the procedure, starting health, medication use, follow-up, nutrition, physical activity, and individual biology.

Patients should continue working with their primary care physician and other specialists. Bariatric treatment does not replace routine diabetes, heart, liver, sleep, or preventive medical care.

Nutrition Before and After Treatment

Nutrition is a central part of bariatric and endoscopic care.

Before treatment, nutritional assessment may identify:

• Low iron
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Folate deficiency
• Low vitamin D
• Inadequate protein intake
• Dehydration risk
• Eating patterns that could interfere with recovery
• Difficulty understanding postoperative diet stages

After a procedure, patients commonly move through a staged eating plan. The exact schedule depends on the treatment and the surgeon’s instructions.

Stages may include:

• Clear liquids
• Full liquids
• Blended or pureed foods
• Soft foods
• Gradual return to suitable solid meals

Patients should not advance the diet faster than instructed. Eating unsuitable food too soon may cause pain, vomiting, dehydration, or stress on the healing area.

Dr. Marvin’s practice describes nutrition consultations, postoperative diet support, protein guidance, and vitamin monitoring as parts of its aftercare program.

Vitamins and Mineral Monitoring

Bariatric procedures can change food intake and, in some cases, nutrient absorption.

Monitoring may include:

• Complete blood count
• Iron and ferritin
• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Thiamine
• Protein markers
• Liver and kidney tests
• Other tests based on the procedure

Patients should take only the supplements recommended for their operation and laboratory results.

A standard store-bought multivitamin may not contain the correct amount or form of each nutrient for someone who has undergone bariatric surgery.

Continuing vomiting can quickly increase the risk of dehydration and thiamine deficiency. Patients experiencing repeated vomiting should contact their surgical team rather than waiting for a routine visit.

Preparing for Bariatric Surgery or ESG

Pre-procedure preparation may include:

• Blood testing
• Nutritional evaluation
• Psychological or behavioral assessment
• Heart or lung evaluation
• Sleep apnea testing
• Upper endoscopy
• Imaging
• Medication changes
• Diabetes planning
• Nicotine cessation
• A pre-procedure diet
• Insurance authorization
• Transportation and recovery planning

The exact requirements depend on the procedure, medical history, insurance policy, and facility.

Patients should provide a full list of:

• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter products
• Vitamins
• Herbal products
• Injections
• Weight-management medication
• Blood thinners
• Diabetes treatment
• Medicines used only when needed

No prescription should be stopped without instructions from the prescribing clinician and surgical team.

What Patients Can Expect During an Appointment

The consultation usually begins with a detailed review of the patient’s health and previous weight-management experience.

Dr. Marvin may ask:

• How has weight changed over time?
• Which programs or medicines have been tried?
• What results were achieved?
• Has a bariatric procedure been performed before?
• Is diabetes present?
• Is blood pressure controlled?
• Does the patient have reflux?
• Are sleep apnea symptoms present?
• Has abdominal surgery been performed?
• Which medicines and supplements are used?
• What does the patient expect from treatment?
• Can the patient attend long-term follow-up?

The physical assessment may include:

• Weight and body mass index
• Blood pressure
• General abdominal examination
• Review of surgical scars
• Assessment of obesity-related conditions
• Discussion of functional limitations

The appointment should explain why a particular option may or may not fit the patient’s situation.

Who May Benefit From Seeing Dr. Marvin

A consultation may be appropriate for adults who:

• Have obesity affecting their health or daily function
• Have not achieved durable results with structured nonsurgical care
• Want to compare medical, endoscopic, and surgical options
• Are interested in ESG
• Are considering sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass
• Already have an adjustable gastric band
• Have regained weight after a previous procedure
• Experience reflux, vomiting, or food intolerance after bariatric care
• Need revision assessment
• Want another opinion before a weight-loss procedure
• Need nutritional or postoperative follow-up

Patients searching for another procedural specialist can use Doctiplus to review general and specialized surgeons.

Preparing for the Consultation

Patients can bring:

• A complete medication list
• Supplement information
• Allergy details
• Earlier weight records
• Previous diet or treatment records
• Diabetes and blood pressure results
• Sleep-study reports
• Laboratory results
• Endoscopy reports
• Abdominal imaging
• Previous bariatric operative reports
• Implant or band information
• Insurance documents
• Referral paperwork
• Written questions

Patients who have undergone previous bariatric surgery should try to obtain the original operative report. Knowing exactly what was done can be important when planning revision treatment.

Questions to Ask Dr. Marvin

Patients may consider asking:

• Which treatment options fit my medical history?
• Why is one procedure preferred over another?
• Am I a possible candidate for ESG?
• Would sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass provide a different benefit?
• How might treatment affect diabetes or reflux?
• Is the proposed anatomical change permanent?
• What are the main risks?
• Which tests are required?
• Will I need nutritional counseling?
• Which vitamins will be necessary?
• How often are follow-up visits scheduled?
• What happens if I regain weight?
• Could a previous bariatric procedure be revised?
• Which hospital or surgical center would be used?
• How long might recovery take?
• When can I return to work?
• Which symptoms require urgent medical attention?

Patients should understand that results vary and that no procedure guarantees a particular amount of weight change or improvement in another medical condition.

Recovery and Long-Term Follow-Up

Recovery depends on the type of procedure, overall health, and whether complications occur.

Follow-up may involve:

• Incision or procedure-site review
• Fluid and food tolerance
• Medication adjustment
• Pain and nausea management
• Weight tracking
• Blood testing
• Vitamin monitoring
• Nutrition appointments
• Physical activity guidance
• Review of diabetes or blood pressure medicine
• Emotional and behavioral support
• Annual long-term visits

Dr. Marvin’s practice describes follow-up at approximately one week, one month, three months, six months, one year, and annually afterward, although the schedule may be adjusted for the individual patient.

Patients can also review how postoperative follow-up supports surgical recovery, while remembering that bariatric care often requires laboratory testing and in-person assessment.

Practice and Appointment Information

Dr. Marvin provides care through Houston Surgical Specialists.

Practice address:
6330 West Loop South, Suite 610
Bellaire, TX 77401

Office phone:
713-993-7124

Toll-free phone:
877-671-2517

Fax:
713-963-0476

Listed office hours:

• Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The address and hours are listed on the practice’s current contact page. Patients should confirm the appointment location before traveling because some older public records show previous addresses.

Dr. Marvin’s individual National Provider Identifier is 1316006554.

Insurance and Payment Planning

Bariatric coverage differs considerably among insurance plans. Some policies cover surgery but require specific steps before authorization, while others exclude bariatric treatment.

Possible requirements include:

• Documented medical weight-management visits
• Nutritional assessment
• Psychological evaluation
• Primary care referral
• Sleep apnea testing
• Cardiac assessment
• Proof of obesity-related medical conditions
• Prior authorization
• Use of a particular hospital or facility

Dr. Marvin’s practice states that its staff can review bariatric benefits, self-pay arrangements, and financing options. The practice contact form indicates that Medicare and Medicaid are not accepted, but patients should verify current payment and insurance information directly because policies can change.

Before scheduling, patients should ask:

• Is Dr. Marvin included in my network?
• Does my plan cover bariatric surgery?
• Is ESG covered or treated as self-pay?
• Is revision surgery covered?
• Which requirements must be completed first?
• Is the selected hospital or surgical center in network?
• Are the surgeon and facility billed separately?
• Are nutritional visits and laboratory tests covered?
• What costs remain if insurance denies treatment?
• Are new patients currently being accepted?

Telehealth availability is not clearly confirmed in current official information. Patients should ask whether an initial or follow-up appointment can be completed remotely.

When Symptoms Require Urgent Medical Care

Patients should not wait for a routine office appointment when symptoms are severe or worsening quickly.

Urgent assessment may be needed for:

• Severe or increasing abdominal pain
• Repeated vomiting
• Inability to keep fluids down
• Signs of significant dehydration
• Chest pain
• Major breathing difficulty
• Fainting
• Vomiting blood
• Black or bloody stool
• A rapid heartbeat with weakness
• Fever with worsening abdominal symptoms
• Increasing redness or drainage around an incision
• A swollen or rigid abdomen
• New confusion
• Sudden severe weakness
• Leg swelling accompanied by chest or breathing symptoms
• Serious symptoms after bariatric surgery or ESG

Potentially life-threatening symptoms should be assessed immediately rather than managed through routine messaging or a scheduled follow-up.