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Alabama Bariatrics & Minimally Invasive Surgery

Dr. Jay Suggs | Bariatric Surgery ExpertAlabama Bariatrics, the office of W. Jay Suggs MD FACS FASMBS is a comprehensive bariatric surgery and weight loss clinic located in Decatur and Huntsville. In addition to offering the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the laparoscopic gastric bypass, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, Dr. Suggs also does the nonsurgical Orbera intragastric balloons. Surgery is performed at Crestwood Medical Center and Huntsville Hospital, with minor outpatient surgery and endoscopy performed at Med Surg in Decatur and Crestwood Medical Center.

The Orbera intragastric balloon is done as a quick, outpatient endoscopic procedure at Med Surg in Decatur. Dr. Suggs has done over 3,000 bariatric procedures and has had multiple publications. Dr. Suggs is a member of the Board of Censors for the Medical Association of the state of Alabama, and a member of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. Although Dr. Suggs enjoys teaching medical students including being the director of the Huntsville campus of ACOM as well as VCOM-Auburn, his first love is improving the lives and health of people through bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery:

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is the most commonly performed bariatric operation in the U.S. now. 85% of the stomach is removed through tiny incisions resulting in 70% excess weight lost on average*. The risk of long-term side effects are just about the lowest of any bariatric surgery.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass is a tried-and-true bariatric operation in which a small pouch is created and the stomach bypassed, resulting in 70% excess weight lost on average*. This surgery was a major advance over the old “stomach stapling” over 30 years ago; another major advance occurred when this bariatric surgery was first performed laparoscopically over 20 years ago.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (the LapBand and the Realize band) is an implantable device, placed around the stomach to control hunger and restrict food intake. It results in 50% excess weight lost on average*. This is the least invasive and lowest risk of all bariatric surgeries. Adjustments in the office are important for success.

Non-Surgical Bariatric Procedures:

Orbera is a non-surgical weight loss procedure. Orbera combines a clinically tested and proven medical device with your own customized plan and support team to effectively manage weight loss. The comprehensive, two-part program starts with a soft balloon placed in your stomach for six months to encourage portion control. The balloon is then removed and your support team will continue to guide you toward making healthy lifestyle choices. Patients lose 3.1 times more weight than with traditional diets alone*.

Getting Started
Call our office for an appointment with Dr. Suggs, or attend a FREE webinar or office-based mini-webinar! When you have your visit, we will give you a detailed analysis of how your insurance will work to cover your surgery. Many require 6 months of dieting prior to approval. Other great ways to learn about bariatric surgery are attending a support group (Check Getting Started tab for a schedule of local meetings) or checking our website. Offices in Huntsville and Decatur.

Appointments with Dr. Suggs can almost always be made within a week, if not the next day. He will do a thorough history and physical to determine if you will be a good candidate for bariatric surgery, and discuss with you which operation (laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band) is best for you.

Bariatric surgery is offered at the accredited bariatric centers at Crestwood Medical Center and Huntsville Hospital, and minor outpatient operations and endoscopes including the intragastric balloons at Med-Surg in Decatur.

Office in Decatur and Huntsville

Decatur Office Location:
705 Bank Street
Decatur, AL 35601
Phone: 256-274-4523
Fax: 256-203-8791

Huntsville Office Location:
333 Whitesport Drive, Suite 205
Huntsville, AL. 35801

Alabama Bariatrics in Decatur, AL

Website: https://alabariatrics.com
Email inquiries: office@alabariatrics.com

*We’ll get back to you within 24 hours of a phone call or email.

Hours M-T 8-5, Fri 8-12

Starting Your Journey

Alabama Bariatrics waiting room

Find out more about Dr. Suggs and Alabama Bariatrics on the About Us page.

Want to get the skinny on the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, and non-surgical Orbera intragastric balloons? Click to go to that page.

Find out the details of the bariatric diet, as well as tips on how to succeed on any diet with “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Dieting” and “Strategies of Dieting Success” on the Diet page.

Still have unanswered questions? Check out FAQ’s.

What is the process for having an office appointment, getting insurance approval for bariatric surgery, and following up after surgery? Get the details on the Getting Started page.

What are the costs for bariatric surgery, and what is required for insurance approval? Check out the Prices/Insurance page. You’ll also find information on self-pay prices for those who do not have insurance coverage, or who want to skip the onerous process of insurance approval. Although your insurance may not cover bariatric surgery, it’s still important for your health.