OUT-OF-TOWN & VIRTUAL CARE

World-Class Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery — No Matter Where You Live

Smiling male doctor outdoors in a park wearing a white coat with a blue shirt beneath, trees and a grassy field in the background.
A female patient lies in a hospital bed covered with a white blanket and wearing a hospital gown, smiling at a female nurse in navy blue scrubs who is standing beside her with a comforting hand on her shoulder, while Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Munoz in a white coat stands nearby smiling with a window showing a body of water in the background.
Patients travel to Miami from across the United States to receive bariatric and metabolic surgery from Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, MD, FACS, DABOM, a surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, more than 9,000 bariatric operations, and a focus on advanced minimally invasive techniques and safety.

We make the entire process seamless, efficient, and supportive, so you can access expert care without multiple trips or unnecessary barriers. Whether you live in Florida or across the country, you'll receive the same level of expertise, preparation, and long-term support.
Expertise & Outcomes

Why Patients Travel to Us

Safety and Measured Outcomes

Safety is our highest priority. With more than 25 years of experience and more than 9,000 bariatric operations, Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz's outcomes are tracked through MBSAQIP, the national quality program for bariatric surgery, where his results have ranked better than the national median.

Our meticulous preparation, advanced minimally invasive techniques, and high-volume expertise are designed to make operations safer and recoveries smoother.

What We Focus On

Our care is built around the outcomes that matter most:
  • Durable long-term weight loss
  • Improvement in diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea
  • Careful planning for revisional and complex cases
  • Low complication and reoperation rates
Explore Procedures

A Destination-Level Program

We have built a streamlined, concierge style pathway specifically for out-of-town patients. Every step is organized, coordinated, and communicated clearly so you always know what comes next.

We Accept All Major Insurers

Our team works directly with your insurance company to determine coverage and obtain authorization whenever possible.
If your plan covers bariatric surgery, we will help you navigate the process from start to finish.
The Complete Process

Your Step-by-Step Journey

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step 1
Your First Step: Virtual Surgical Planning Session
Before traveling to Miami, you will meet with Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, MD, FACS, DABOM through a Virtual Surgical Planning Session. This is a non-clinical virtual meeting where we:
What Happens During This Visit
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    Review your history, goals, and prior surgeries
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    Discuss potential surgical options
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    Answer your questions
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    Determine whether you are a candidate to travel to Miami for an in-person medical evaluation
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    Outline your next steps
This session ensures you feel informed, confident, and prepared.
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step 2
Pre-Consultation Education: 3-Video Series
Once you decide to move forward, our team coordinates everything you need.
Before your Virtual Surgical Planning Session, you will watch our three-part preoperative education series. These videos explain:
Why Obesity Needs to Be Treated
All the Treatment Options
Understanding the Different Surgical Options
Patients arrive to their first session knowledgeable and full of meaningful questions— exactly how we want it. An educated patient is the best patient.
Pre-Op Testing in Your Home State
You do not need multiple trips to Miami. We coordinate:
  • Labs
  • Imaging
  • Medical clearances
  • Nutrition evaluations
Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Munoz in a white coat talking to a female patient with red hair in a medical office.
This is care coordination, not medical practice — and it makes the process dramatically easier for you.
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step 3
Pre-Op Class With Our Coordinator
Before surgery, you will attend a virtual or in-person pre-operative class with our coordinator.
This class prepares you for surgery day, recovery, and the first weeks after your procedure.
  • What to expect during your hospital stay
  • Pain control
  • Mobility
  • Hydration
  • Early diet progression
  • Discharge instructions
  • Travel considerations for out-of-state patients
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Patients consistently say this class makes them feel prepared, calm, and confident.
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step 4
Two Weeks Before Surgery: Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)
For the final two weeks before surgery, you will follow a very low calorie diet designed to:
Before you ever enter the operating room, you will already have:
  • Shrink the liver
  • Reduce surgical risk
  • Improve visibility during surgery
  • Make the procedure safer and more efficient
  • This step is essential — and we guide you through it.
This step is essential — and we guide you through it.
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step 5
Planning Your Trip to Miami
When to Arrive
Most patients arrive 1 day before surgery.
How Long to Stay
Patients stay overnight in the hospital after surgery, and typically remain in Miami about 7 to 9 days after surgery before traveling home.
Where to Stay
We recommend hotel zones close to the hospital for convenience and comfort.
What to Bring
We provide a simple packing list so you feel prepared.
Support Person
We strongly recommend bringing someone with you for the first 24–48 hours.
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step 6
Your Surgery Day
On the day of surgery, you can expect:
  • A calm, experienced surgical team
  • State-of-the art minimally invasive techniques
  • A focus on safety and precision
  • Clear communication with your support person
  • A smooth, efficient experience from start to finish
All patients stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring, comfort, and safety.
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step 7
Your Post-Op Stay in Miami
During your stay:
  • You will recover comfortably
  • You will have access to our team
  • We will monitor your early progress
  • We will ensure you are safe to travel home
Once cleared, you can fly home with confidence.
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step 8
Traveling Home Safely
We provide detailed instructions for:
  • Hydration
  • Mobility
  • Compression
  • Medications
  • Flight safety
  • Warning signs to watch for
We make sure you travel home safely and comfortably.
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step 9
Virtual Follow-Up
After you return home, we continue to support you through:
  • Virtual check-ins
  • Virtual education
  • Virtual care coordination
  • Nutrition guidance
  • Lab coordination with your local providers
Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Munoz sitting at a desk with two computer monitors, engaging in a video call with a woman displayed on the left screen while viewing a document on the right monitor.
We make sure you travel home safely and comfortably — and that you feel supported every step of the way.
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step 10
All post-op appointments are scheduled BEFORE surgery
You will already know your:
  • 1-week visit
  • 1-month visit
  • 3-month visit
  • 6-month visit
  • 12-month visit
  • Annual follow-ups
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You will always know exactly when your next visit is — no guessing, no confusion.
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step 11
Long-Term Success From Anywhere
Your long-term success is our priority. We support you with:
  • Nutrition guidance
  • Body composition monitoring
  • Metabolic labs
  • Support for plateaus or regain
  • Access to medical weightloss tools (in-person only)
  • Life-long partnership
You are never on your own — no matter where you live.
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Our Office Is Always Available
You can reach us at any time during your recovery. Questions, concerns, reassurance — we are here for you. Out-of-town patients receive the same level of supportas local patients.
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step 12
Our Philosophy

Common Questions (FAQ)

How long do I need to stay in Miami?
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Most out-of-town patients plan to stay in Miami for about 7 to 9 days after surgery. That usually means one night in the hospital, followed by several days nearby to recover and attend a follow-up visit before flying home. Your exact timeline depends on your procedure and how your recovery goes, and our team will confirm your plan with you before you travel.

When can I fly home?
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Most patients stay in Miami about 7 to 9 days after surgery. After your post-op visits and several days of recovery nearby, you are typically cleared to fly home about 7 to 9 days after surgery, then continue with virtual follow-up.

Can follow-ups be virtual?
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Yes — we offer virtual check-ins, education, and care coordination.

Will my insurance cover surgery?
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We accept all major insurers and work directly with your plan to determine coverage and obtain authorization whenever possible.

Do I need a support person?
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Yes — we strongly recommend bringing someone for the first 24–48 hours.

What if I have a question after I leave?
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Call us anytime. You are never alone.

Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, MD, FACS, DABOM
A nationally recognized leader in bariatric and metabolic surgery, committed to transforming lives through evidence-based, patient-centered care.
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Contact Details

Office Phone: 305-692-0392
Email: info@delacruzmunoz.com
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