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Bariatric Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

couple walk outside arm-in-arm

Bariatric Medicine and Surgery Center

The Fort Sanders Bariatric Medicine and Surgery Center is accredited as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program and had been recognized as a “Best Weight Loss Clinic” by Newsweek. The Center includes:

    • K. Robert Williams, MD is our Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery
    • Mark Colquitt, MD is our bariatric surgeon with many years of experience and has performed more than 1,000 bariatric surgeries robotically
    • Certified bariatric nurses
    • Minimally invasive daVinci® robotics technology
    • Post-surgery support groups
    • Dietitian consultations
    • Free six-month post-surgical fitness program
Dr. Colquitt celebrates his 1,000th bariatric case milestone with his team.

Meet Our Bariatric Surgeon

Our bariatric surgeries are done by Dr. Mark Colquitt, a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopy Surgery. He specializes in surgical weight loss procedures including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and duodenal switch.

“As a surgeon deeply committed to helping patients transform their health and lives, I see firsthand the impact of our comprehensive approach to weight loss and metabolic health. From preoperative education to long-term postoperative support, our team strives to deliver the highest quality care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.”

 

Am I a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery can often benefit morbidly obese people or those with debilitating co-morbidities who have been unable to lose weight through other methods. Start by using this BMI and surgery self-assessment to see if surgery could be right for you.

If you think surgery may be the next step on your road to better health, we invite you to read our comprehensive overview of bariatric surgery.

Online Seminar Now Available

Watch the bariatric seminar, no registration required. After watching the seminar, fill out the form below and a care coordinator will contact you with the next steps!

Request Information Form

Types of Bariatric Surgery

Laparoscopic Roux-en Y (Gastric Bypass)

Roux-en Y gastric bypass alters the digestion process by making foods incompletely absorbed and quickly eliminated in the stool. It is the current gold standard for weight loss surgery.

In this procedure, stapling creates a small stomach pouch. The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but separated from the stomach pouch. The outlet from this newly formed pouch empties directly into a portion of the small intestine called the Roux limb. This is done by dividing the small intestine and constructing a connection with the newly formed stomach pouch. The other end is connected into the side of the Roux limb of the intestine creating the “Y” shape. Dr. Mark Colquitt performs the Roux-en Y procedure via robotically-assisted surgery.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve)

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy involves surgically removing 85% of the stomach, resulting in a new stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana. Instead of patients losing weight because their bodies do not absorb calories, patients with a gastric sleeve lose weight because their bodies are restricting the amount of food that can be consumed. Less food means fewer calories.

It is important to note that the gastric sleeve procedure is not reversible, and as with any weight loss procedure, success is dependent upon the patient’s commitment to weight loss.

Bariatric Revision and Conversion Surgery

For a variety of reasons a small number of patients may experience the need for a revision or conversion of their original bariatric operation. Sometimes individuals benefit from an additional procedure to relieve symptoms of nausea or if they have not successfully achieved significant lasting weight loss, for example.

A revision will retain and modify your original procedure, while a conversion will replace an unsatisfactory procedure with a different one. Our bariatric surgeons are experienced in the revision and conversion of previous weight loss surgery. They can evaluate a patient’s situation and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Repair of LAP-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System

Please note, our center only performs repairs of previous LAP-band surgeries. Covenant Health bariatric surgeons no longer provide the gastric banding procedure because the band can erode or slip over time, and there is a higher risk of weight regain and re-operation.

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Bariatric Patient Stories

Wil Nelson

Wil Nelson lost 145 pounds after having bariatric surgery at Fort Sanders Regional. He is now living life to the fullest as an avid runner and athlete.
Read Wil’s story

Patricia Fernez-Aten

Every time Patricia Fernez-Aten fought to lose weight, it seemed like the weight was fighting back. Fernez-Aten was ready for a big win. Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery gives patients like Fernez-Aten hope for a better quality of life.
Read Patricia’s story

JT and Laura Rodriguez

Teaming up for weight loss is a great way to reach healthy goals. JT and Laura Rodriguez can testify that’s true. They have lost a combined total of more than 200 pounds after undergoing procedures at the Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery.
Read JT and Laura’s story

For Referring Physicians

At Covenant Health, we look forward to partnering with you in your patients’ care. When you refer a patient to us, you can count on:

  • a streamlined referral and order process.
  • dedicated staff to make the most of your relationship with Covenant Health.
  • updates throughout the process to keep you informed about your patient.

How to Refer a Patient

For prompt processing, please fax your referral form with any medical records to the Fort Sanders Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute or call the Rapid Access Center for any urgent requests.

Our Location

Data Sources:

1 – Henry Buchwald, MD, PhD; Yoav Avidor, MD; Eugene Braunwald, MD; Michael D. Jensen, MD; Walter Pories, MD; Kyle Fahrbach, PhD; Karen Schoelles, MD. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004; 292(14):1724-1737. doi:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724.

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