Guilherme da Silva Mazzini, MD

Biography

Forging the future of weight loss surgery with trust

Guilherme da Silva Mazzini, M.D., says surgical care is his life’s calling – and since 2011, he has played a pivotal role in patients attaining a new lease on life.

As a specialist in bariatric surgery at the VCU Health Surgical Weight Loss Center, Mazzini says the team is at the forefront of the field – one which energizes him every day.

“At the end of the day, all we want is to improve patients’ lives. The feeling that I had a positive impact in someone’s life is priceless,” Mazzini says.

For Mazzini, actively partnering with patients on their surgical journey is paramount. This means forming a relationship grounded in trust as well as providing the space for patients – and their families – to have all their questions answered and concerns addressed well before heading to the OR.

“The patient-surgeon relationship is unique because the patient will be under anesthesia while we do our job. It takes a lot of trust to let that happen. My main focus is to ensure my patients are totally comfortable with their treatment plan, all questions answered, so they come completely trustful for their surgery,” Mazzini says.

At the surgical Weight Loss Center, Mazzini works alongside a multidisciplinary team of specialists, therapists and consultants who support patients’ physical, nutritional and emotional well-being and success before, during and after surgery.

Mazzini performs minimally invasive weight loss surgery as well as endoscopic procedures, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and conversions. He also specializes in surgery of the esophagus and stomach, which includes surgical treatment of hiatal hernias, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, paraesophageal hernias and achalasia. He performs general surgery that includes gallbladder removal and hernia repairs.

With a dedication to exceptional surgical care and cutting-edge procedures, Mazzini emphasizes that it's the patient-centered approach that truly distinguishes him and the VCU team.

“Our specialty is constantly evolving, with more advanced and less invasive procedures developing every day. However, not always the newest treatment is the best for all patients. My challenge is to adopt the most innovative techniques keeping patients’ interest as our main goal. That’s what we call practice of evidence-based medicine,” Mazzini says.

Beyond patient care, he is a passionate clinical researcher and educator, eager for both colleagues and patients to recognize VCU's pioneering role in leading the charge for tomorrow.

“We’re combining excellent health care with a strong academic program that will set the knowledge basis for the development of new treatments and technologies,” he says.

“I’m confident we’re building the future of obesity medicine at VCU.”

Advice to Patients

“Your relationship with your doctor needs to be built with trust. No matter how renowned your doctor is, you will have to trust them with your life. Do your research, choose the best doctor, but make sure you can look him or her in the eye and trust they care about you.”

Research Interests

The impact of bariatric surgery on improving diabetes and other conditions even prior to losing weight. Better understanding this powerful “metabolic effect” will allow care teams to potentially develop new treatments without the need for surgery, which would “benefit hundreds of millions of patients around the world,” Mazzini says.