Dr. André Costa Pinho is a general surgeon who has dedicated his career to the treatment of obesity and metabolic disease. His motivation is clear and personal: to help improve the quality of life of people who live with excess weight and the health problems that often come with it. Patients who come to his practice meet a surgeon who combines high-volume experience, academic work and a calm, patient-centred way of explaining every option. His aim is not only to operate well, but to guide each person through a complete, safe and well-supported journey that lasts far beyond the day of surgery. Care follows national health standards and current international guidelines, and every decision is taken with the patient, not for them.
Obesity is a chronic disease, and Dr. André Costa Pinho treats it that way. He explains to each patient why excess weight affects the heart, metabolism, joints and sleep, and why treatment can protect their health for years to come. There is no judgement in his consultations, only clear information and practical plans. Patients leave their first appointment knowing where they stand, what their options are and what each path would ask of them.
A Surgeon Shaped by Volume and Research
Experience matters in obesity surgery, and Dr. André Costa Pinho brings a great deal of it. He has performed more than 2,000 bariatric and metabolic operations and has published more than 65 scientific articles. He holds a medical degree from a Portuguese faculty of medicine, completed his specialist training in general surgery in 2014 and obtained the consultant grade from the Portuguese Medical Association in 2022.
His academic life runs alongside his clinical work. He has been an assistant at a university faculty of medicine since 2009 and has been working on a doctorate focused on the surgical treatment of obesity since 2023. This blend of daily practice and research keeps his care grounded in evidence.
• More than 2,000 bariatric and metabolic operations performed
• Over 65 published scientific articles
• Specialist in general surgery with the consultant grade
• University teaching role since 2009 and doctoral research in obesity surgery
• Member of IFSO, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
• Member of SPCO, the Portuguese Society of Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Diseases
He has also invested heavily in postgraduate training in obesity surgery, attending specialised courses and congresses in several countries over many years. This steady commitment to learning means patients benefit from techniques and standards that reflect current international practice.
Research is not a separate activity from patient care. The questions he studies come from the patients he treats, and what he learns flows straight back into the consultation room. For patients, this means a surgeon who reads the latest evidence, questions his own results and keeps refining the way he works.
Hospital Settings Patients Can Trust
Dr. André Costa Pinho works within established hospital structures, which gives patients the security of full surgical teams, modern operating rooms and round-the-clock support. He operates at a leading private hospital in Portugal and has also been part of a public university hospital's dedicated obesity treatment centre since 2019, where patients are referred by their family doctor. Earlier in his career he worked in other private hospitals in the country, building wide experience across different care settings.
This hospital-based model has clear benefits for patients:
• Access to complete anaesthesia, nursing and intensive support teams
• Modern facilities designed for minimally invasive surgery
• Coordinated care between surgery and other medical specialties
• Clear routes for booking through the hospital or the practice's contact form
Working in both private and public settings also means Dr. André Costa Pinho sees a wide range of cases, from first-time patients to people with complex medical histories. This breadth of experience strengthens his judgement and helps him plan each operation with care.
Patients also benefit from the calm that comes with an organised system. Admission, surgery, recovery on the ward and discharge follow clear routines, and each member of the hospital team knows their role. This structure reduces uncertainty and lets patients and their families focus on what matters most: a safe recovery.
Preparation That Leaves Nothing to Chance
Good results start long before the operating room. Every case is assessed individually by a multidisciplinary team, and eligibility follows current international guidelines. Patients are not accepted or refused on a single figure. Their health history, related conditions and personal goals are all considered.
Once surgery is agreed, preparation is organised step by step. The practice requests the necessary tests, coordinates appointments with the relevant specialists and works to optimise any existing health conditions in line with national health authority guidance.
• Individual assessment of every case by a multidisciplinary team
• Eligibility based on international guidelines, not on a single number
• Coordination with nutrition, psychology, endocrinology and anaesthesiology
• Optimisation of existing conditions before surgery
• Clear explanation of benefits, risks and alternatives
All surgical options offered are minimally invasive, performed through small incisions. This approach usually means less pain, smaller scars and a quicker return to daily life. Most importantly, it allows patients to focus on recovery and on building new habits from the very first weeks.
Preparation is also a time for education. Patients learn how their eating will change, how to plan meals in the first months and why regular activity makes such a difference. Questions are welcomed at every stage, and no one is rushed into a decision. The aim is for each patient to arrive on the day of surgery informed, confident and ready.
Support Long After Discharge
For Dr. André Costa Pinho, the operation is only one step in a much longer process. Long-term follow-up is a central part of his care. Patients are monitored closely for weight loss, nutritional status and vitamin needs, with supplements adjusted over time and specialists involved whenever needed.
The practice is also a point of support for people who need help beyond a standard journey. Many patients arrive with questions, doubts or problems that others have not solved, and they find a surgeon willing to listen and to look for real answers.
• Medical treatment for obesity with modern medication, for selected patients who are not candidates for surgery or prefer another route
• Independent second opinions on proposed obesity treatment
• Follow-up for patients who had surgery at other institutions, including abroad
• Diagnosis and management of early and late complications
• Structured assessment when weight is regained, looking at anatomical, hormonal and behavioural causes
This wide range of support shows a deep commitment to patients. Whether someone is just starting to consider treatment or is years past an earlier operation, they can find expert guidance and a clear plan.
Honesty sits at the centre of this work. Dr. André Costa Pinho explains that surgery is a powerful tool but not a magic solution, and that lasting results depend on new habits, regular follow-up and a strong partnership between patient and team. This realistic message helps patients set goals they can reach and keep.
Open Doors for International Patients
Dr. André Costa Pinho welcomes international residents, expats living in Portugal and people who are considering coming to Portugal for care at an experienced, high-volume centre. Consultations can be held in English, the website is available in English and patients can send their questions in English through the contact form.
For patients who travel, this makes planning much easier. They can understand the process in their own language, ask questions before they arrive and know that follow-up can continue after they return home. The practice also shares clear information online, including frequently asked questions and an active blog, and is present on the main social channels, so patients can learn about their options at their own pace.
• Consultations available in Portuguese and English
• An English version of the website and an English-friendly contact form
• Online booking through the hospital or the practice
• Clear, published answers to common questions
• Follow-up support for patients operated outside Portugal
Choosing Dr. André Costa Pinho means choosing a surgeon with deep experience, a strong academic foundation and a genuine commitment to long-term care. It means being assessed as an individual, prepared carefully, operated with minimally invasive techniques in a trusted hospital setting and supported for years afterwards. Above all, it means working with a doctor whose goal is simple and sincere: to help you live a healthier and fuller life.
