Michael Kachmar, DO

Michael Kachmar, DO, DABS, DABOM, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified general surgeon specializing in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Tampa, Florida. He is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and a bariatric and metabolic surgeon at Tampa General Hospital. His practice focuses on primary and revisional bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, as well as minimally invasive weight loss surgery using advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques. His goal is simple and consistent - to deliver safe, individualized, evidence-based care that improves long-term health and quality of life.





Dr. Kachmar earned his medical degree at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed general surgery residency training at Rowan and Inspira, where he served as Chief Resident. He completed advanced laparoscopic and Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery fellowship training at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and LSU Health Sciences Center under the mentorship of leaders in the field. He is certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Obesity Medicine, reflecting his commitment to comprehensive obesity care across surgical and medical disciplines.





An active surgeon-scientist, Dr. Kachmar’s work focuses on access, safety, and outcomes in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as well as the biologic mechanisms of weight loss and metabolic improvement. He has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and invited commentaries, with work appearing in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, JAMA Network Open, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Obesity Surgery, and The American Journal of Cardiology. His research integrates national databases and translational tissue projects to support precision selection and long-term care for people living with obesity and metabolic disease. He is an active member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), serves on their national committees, and presents regularly at major surgical meetings.





Clinically, Dr. Kachmar views obesity as a chronic disease that requires long-term, team-based, multidisciplinary care. Patients can expect compassionate communication, shared decision-making, and comprehensive follow-up before and after surgery.