We believe that education is the most important aspect of any bariatric surgery. Our seminar provides potential patients, family, and other support persons the opportunity to learn more about the procedure, insurance and financial issues, as well as meet an actual patient in a casual environment at no cost, before they commit to a consultation appointment. We realize that everyone is busy which is why we offer these seminars in the evening in order to decrease missing work or other important appointments.

In order to evaluate you for transfer of care, we will need a surgical report and copy of your adjustments as well as a current health history form and reason for your need or want to transfer before we can evaluate you as a patient. All transfer patients must see our surgeon.

As long as you are committed to the pre-operative requirements and are committed to coming back to see us at least four times in the first year after surgery, we will take care of out of town patients. If you feel that the distance may be an obstacle to your follow up care, then we will refer you to a doctor closer to you to perform the surgery.

We work with most all commercial insurances. Check with your insurance to see if Dr. Ponce is in or out-of-network. If we are out-of-network with your insurance, as long as you have out-of-network coverage and benefits we will still accept your insurance.

We operate at CHI Memorial in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

CHI Memorial is accredited by the ASMBS (American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery) and the ACS (American College of Surgeons) under the MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program).