Dr. Felipe Bernal
Da Vinci certified · Co-founder · Research-driven surgical practice. Based in Bogotá, Colombia. Treating international patients in English.
In Dr. Felipe Bernal's own words
I am a co-founder of Global Obesity Group, alongside Dr. Rubén Luna. We built GOG to be the kind of multidisciplinary bariatric program we always wished existed for our own patients — surgical excellence backed by a full medical team that follows you for a year after surgery.
I am a Da Vinci certified robotic bariatric surgeon. Robotic surgery is not a marketing line for us — it is the technique I reach for when anatomy is complex, when a patient has had prior abdominal surgery, or when minimizing visible scarring matters. Together with Dr. Luna, we run the only 3-incision robotic bariatric program in Colombia.
I earned my General Surgery specialty at Universidad El Bosque, where I now serve as an associate professor and lead the minimally invasive surgery research line within the GICS group, endorsed by Colombia's national science agency. After 10+ years and 1,000+ obesity patients in consultation, I have learned the technical part of surgery is the easy half — the hard half is selecting the right procedure for the right patient, and being honest when surgery is not the answer.
Training, hospitals, and memberships
Where Dr. Felipe Bernal trained and operates. International credentials are highlighted for patients evaluating care abroad.
Specialty
- Bariatric Surgery
- 10+ years of practice
- 1,000+ patients treated
Hospitals
- Clínica Shaio
- Clínica Cobos
- Clínica Colsubsidio 94
Memberships
- SAGES
- IFSO
- ACOCIB
- ACDC
Bariatric procedures Dr. Felipe Bernal performs
Every procedure is preceded by a full multidisciplinary evaluation. You will know what to expect before surgery is booked.
Gastric Sleeve
75–80% stomach reduction. Most common first-time procedure for BMI 35–45 with comorbidities.
Learn more →Gastric Bypass
Roux-en-Y. Best long-term tool for type 2 diabetes resolution and higher BMI ranges.
Learn more →Gastric Balloon
Non-surgical. Allurion (swallowed, 16 weeks) or traditional intragastric (endoscopic, 6 months).
Learn more →Revision Surgery
Conversion of prior sleeve to bypass, repair of slipped/eroded bands, late complication management.
Learn more →Three things that differentiate this practice
Da Vinci robotic certified
I operate the Da Vinci Xi robotic system for bariatric surgery. Useful for revision cases, higher-BMI patients, prior abdominal surgery, and anyone for whom visible scarring matters. Same surgical principles, fewer and smaller incisions.
Co-founder, not employee
I co-founded GOG with Dr. Luna because I wanted to practice surgery inside the kind of multidisciplinary program patients actually need — not inside a hospital schedule that treats bariatric care as a slot between other operations.
Research + teaching surgeon
Active member of the GICS research group at Universidad El Bosque, training residents and fellows in laparoscopic surgery. Surgeons who teach and publish tend to operate cleaner — peer review keeps you honest.
Patient outcomes
Common questions for Dr. Felipe Bernal
If your question is not here, the fastest way to a real answer is a 30-minute virtual consultation.
Are you Da Vinci certified?
When does robotic surgery actually matter for the patient?
What surgeries do you perform?
How do you decide if I am a candidate?
Where do you operate?
Do you treat international patients?
Book a virtual consultation with Dr. Felipe Bernal
Private, 30 minutes, in English. We review your medical history, recent weight changes, and prior attempts. You leave with a written plan, not a sales pitch.