Dr Ponce

Dr. Jaime Ponce began his career in bariatric surgery in 1998 after completing his residency training at East Tennessee State University. In October 2000, he established a private practice bariatric surgery program at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, GA, and later in 2002 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, TN, where he served as the Medical Director for both Bariatric Surgery and Obesity Medicine.

Under Dr. Ponce’s leadership, the program achieved Center of Excellence and full accreditation as a Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). His program was also recognized as one of the top 101 bariatric surgery programs in the country by Leapfrog.

Regarded as one of the most experienced bariatric surgeons both nationally and internationally, Dr. Ponce has held prestigious positions, including President of the ASMBS (2012-2013) and former President of the North America Chapter of the International Federation for Bariatric Surgery (2021-2024). He has led numerous FDA clinical trials for bariatric surgery devices and has received many accolades, including the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Bariatric Surgery (2023). Dr. Ponce is double board certified by the American Board of Surgery with a designation in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as well as by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, in addition he is a member of the Editorial Board of the ASMBS Textbook of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Having treated and managed over 5,000 patients in Chattanooga, Dr. Ponce has a long track record of success and quality outcomes. His patients appreciate his passion for bariatric care and find him personable and approachable. He takes the time to thoroughly explain procedures and assists patients in making informed decisions based on their medical conditions.

Dr. Ponce has been featured in various TV shows and both local and national newspapers. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys outdoor activities and traveling. He resides in Chattanooga with his wife, Heather, and their children, Isabel and Alex.

Pioneer in Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Jaime Ponce has made significant contributions to the Northwest Georgia and East Tennessee regions, being the first to establish a laparoscopic bariatric surgery program and to perform several groundbreaking procedures, including the initial Lap-Band and Realize Band placements, the first single-incision bariatric surgery, the first laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and the first laparoscopic greater curvature plication. He also pioneered the endoscopic placement of dual intragastric balloons and swallowable balloons, and he led the trial for the endoscopic gastroplasty using the POSE procedure. Currently, he is the principal investigator in a new FDA-monitored clinical trial involving the BariClip and has participated in 12 FDA clinical trials, leading 5 at a national level.

Successful Leader

Dr. Ponce has developed two bariatric programs and served as the Medical Director for the Hamilton Medical Center program in Dalton, Georgia, as well as the CHI Memorial Hospital program in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the Past-President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) from 2012 to 2013 and was the President of the North American Chapter of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) (2021-2024). Dr. Ponce has played an active role in various ASMBS and IFSO committees, including serving as the former Chair of the ASMBS Insurance Committee and as a member of the Executive Council of the ASMBS (2009-2016). He has also chaired the Bariatric Surgical Review Committee for the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program (2007-2009) and contributed to numerous committees focused on education, emerging technologies, and certification.

Well Published

Dr. Ponce has authored numerous journal articles, abstracts, and book chapters in prestigious medical journals, including Annals of Surgery, Archives of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Obesity Surgery, and Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. He has presented at both national and international consensus meetings, sharing his expertise with a global audience.

Nationally and Internationally Recognized

Dr. Ponce has received honorary membership from several prestigious organizations, including the Brazilian Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Spanish Society for Surgery of Obesity, and the Mexican College for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders. He has been recognized as one of the 30 ASMBS members who made a significant impact (2013) and was awarded the ASMBS Foundation Master Educator Award (2018). In 2021, he delivered the Mason Lecture during the ASMBS annual meeting. He was also honored as a Distinguished Citizen and Physician by the medical community of his hometown, Juarez, Mexico. Most recently, in June 2023, he received the TREO Foundation’s Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Ponce Nationally Internationally recognized

Highly Experienced

With over 5,000 bariatric surgeries performed, Dr. Ponce is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in his field. Beyond performing surgeries, he has trained hundreds of physicians in the latest bariatric techniques. He is frequently invited to speak at national and international conferences and has conducted live surgical demonstrations in Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. He has also directed numerous educational events, sharing his knowledge and expertise with colleagues in the field.

Innovative Researcher

As the Principal Investigator (PI) in twelve FDA clinical trials, including serving as Overall/Lead PI in five of these studies, Dr. Ponce has been involved in pioneering clinical research. His studies have included trials with the Lap-Band®, Realize™ Band, Reshape Duo Intragastric Balloon, Obalon swallowable balloon, laparoscopic gastric plication, Elipse swallowable balloon, endoscopic gastric plication using the POSE procedure, and most recently, the BariClip trial.

Dr. Ponce is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity, the ASMBS Tennessee Chapter, and the AOA Honorary Medical Society. He has also received honorary membership from the Brazilian Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Spanish Society for Surgery of Obesity, and the Mexican College for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders.

Professionally Connected

Patient Advocate

Dr. Ponce is a passionate advocate for obesity care, dedicating his career to improving access to surgical treatments for obesity. He has collaborated closely with insurance companies and lawmakers to develop and implement policies that support equitable access for all patients seeking weight loss solutions. His efforts extend to national initiatives aimed at ensuring that individuals suffering from obesity have access to a comprehensive range of treatment options. Through advocacy and education, Dr. Ponce strives to break down barriers and create a supportive environment for patients, enabling them to receive the care they need for improved health outcomes.

Award Winning

Dr. Jaime Ponce graduated second in his medical school class and received the Resident of the Year award during his training. His accolades include being recognized as one of 30 ASMBS members who made a difference (2013), receiving the ASMBS Foundation Master Educator Award (2018), and delivering the Mason Lecture at the ASMBS annual meeting in 2021. In June 2023, he was honored with the TREO Foundation’s Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for his unwavering commitment to the ASMBS organization and his significant contributions to the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery.