Chattanooga Bariatrics
Dr. Jaime Ponce has performed bariatric surgery since 1998, and is highly experienced with the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure. He was a principal investigator for the FDA trial with the Lap-Band® and the Realize™ Band. He has trained and supervised more than 300 surgeons and is considered by his peers one of the most experienced surgeons in the United States. He is also the Past President of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery.
Pioneer
Dr. Ponce has extensive credits in the Northwest Georgia and East Tennessee region where he was first to: establish a laparoscopic bariatric program & outpatient Lap-Band program; perform a Lap-band procedure, single-incision bariatric procedure, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic greater curvature plication procedure; and place a dual intragastric balloon.
Successful Leader
Dr. Ponce developed two bariatric programs and is the Medical Director for Hamilton Medical Center program in Dalton Georgia and Co-Director for Memorial Hospital program in Chattanooga Tennessee, both certified as ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence.
Well Published
Dr. Ponce has published journal articles, abstracts and book chapters in well known journals such as including publications in Annals of Surgery, Archives of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Obesity Surgery Journal and Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases Journal. Dr. Ponce presented at the 2004 ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Consensus meeting and has co-directed the International Gastric Band Summit meetings.
Nationally Recognized
Dr. Jaime Ponce leads the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery as the society’s President. His past and ongoing involvement with the ASMBS includes: Chair of the Insurance Committee, Co-Chair of the Insurance Committee, Executive Council Liaison for the Public Education Committee, Founding Member & Vice President of the ASMBS Tennessee Chapter, the Research Advisory Committee of the SRC, and Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the SRC.
Highly Experienced
Dr. Jaime Ponce has performed well over 3000 bariatric surgeries and is a nationally recognized expert in the Lap-Band procedure. In addition to performing procedures, he has trained thousands of physicians nationally in the latest bariatric surgery techniques. Dr Ponce has been invited to give presentations in National and International meetings, has performed live surgical cases for courses in Latin America, Europe and U.S., and has been the Director of many educational events.
Innovative Researcher
Dr. Ponce has been the principal investigator for five FDA clinical studies with the Lap-Band®, the Realize™ Band and the Duo Intragastric Balloon. He has also participated in studies using the Lap-Band® in lower BMI (30-35 kg/m2) patients and the laparoscopic greater curvature plication for the treatment of severe or morbid obesity.
Professionally Connected
Dr. Ponce is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American College of Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity, ASMBS Tennessee Chapter, AOA Honorary Medical Society, Honorary Member of the Brazilian Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Award Winning
Dr. Jaime Ponce graduated 2nd in his class in medical school. He received the Upjohn’s Resident of the Year award, and has been granted Honorary Member status in the Brazilian Society of Bariatric Surgery. He has founded 2 surgical centers, both of which have earned Center of Excellence certifications.
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