Kelvin Higa

Kelvin Higa, MD, FACS, FASMBS, FIFSO, is a Volunteer Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He specializes in minimally invasive bariatric surgery and complex revision foregut procedures, with a focus on diabetes remission and metabolic disorder management.

• Graduated from UCLA School of Medicine (1983)
• Board-certified in General Surgery
• Former Chief of Vascular Surgery (VA Medical Center, Fresno) and Chief of Surgery (Community Medical Centers/Saint Agnes Medical Center)
• Current roles: CEO of ALSA Medical Group, Director of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, and VP Chief Medical and Quality Officer at Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital

His research explores bariatric surgery efficacy for diabetes remission, surgical complication management, and metabolic outcomes in severe obesity. Articles cover gastric bypass reversal, sleeve gastrectomy comparisons, and international guidelines for metabolic surgery standardization.

Awarded the ASMBS Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized as a Life Member of IFSO, Dr. Higa has contributed extensively to surgical protocols and global benchmarks in bariatric procedures.

He leads clinical trials on metabolic surgery applications and has pioneered techniques in enhanced recovery programs (ERABS) and opioid reduction post-surgery.