WellStar Medical Group
Comprehensive Bariatric Services

We see patients on Mondays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, and on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, with additional appointment times based on surgery schedule. To schedule an appointment please call (770) 919-7050.

 

We welcome your calls between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

 

If you need to cancel an appointment, please give 24 hours notice.

We are committed to keeping your insurance or other financial arrangements as simple as possible. Wellstar Medical Group participates in most major insurance plans. For a complete list of insurance participants please call our office at (770) 919-7050. We will file your insurance if we are a participating provider in your plan.

 

Insurance coverage for bariatric surgery depends on the insurance company and on your plan. Our goal is to maximize your chance of being approved in the initial submission to your insurance company. We can answer your questions about the need for a physican referral, appeal of insurance decisions and other matters.

 

All co-payments are due at the time of service. Please remember to bring your insurance card (HMO, CMO, PPO, etc.) and driver's license to each appointment.

Our physicians have privileges at WellStar Kennestone Hospital.

Beginning in the winter of 2012/2013, Dr. Smith and Dr. Jean-Pierre plan to begin robotic weight loss surgery procedures.

 

We are very pleased to announce that beginning in January 2013, WellStar will provide insurance coverage for qualifying employees for bariatric surgery.

Dr. Dennis Smith has been a pioneer in the development of laparoscopic techniques for bariatric surgery. He is among a limited number of surgeons in the world who use laparoscopic (minimally invasive) techniques for all four major bariatric procedures – Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Duodenal Switch, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Adjustable Gastric Banding. He shares his knowledge by teaching and training other surgeons. A fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Smith is certified by the American Board of Surgery, and is an active member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.

 

Dr. Fritz Jean-Pierre is a skilled bariatric surgeon who specializes in the latest minimally invasive techniques. He joined WellStar Comprehensive Bariatric Services in February 2012. Dr. Jean-Pierre did his surgical residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Mount Sinai Hospital and completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at Atlanta Medical Center.