The body of your dreams is just 250 miles from Charlotte.

Take a medical holiday in Atlanta for your weight loss surgery. Charlotte patients considering weight-loss surgery are going to Atlanta for the best bariatric experience possible. The Videoscopic Institute, located in northwest Atlanta and directed by nationally-known, Dr. J.K. Champion, is a Center of Excellence devoted exclusively to bariatric surgery. Charlotte patients know they will receive:

  • Highly skilled, expertise of Dr. J.K. Champion, board certified bariatric surgeon who has performed over 2600 laparoscopic weight loss procedures since 1995.
  • State-of-the-art surgical options, including LAP band and gastric bypass surgery.
  • Personalized healthcare experience, including free lifetime aftercare, from the Videoscopic Institute, designated as a Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS).
  • Outstanding inpatient treatment at Northside Hospital, named for the 10th consecutive year as Atlanta’s Most Preferred Hospital for Overall Healthcare Services.

A professional team devoted exclusively to your weight–loss surgery needs

The Videoscopic Institute is a leading-edge bariatric center with a dedicated patient-care team. Motivated by the lack of standards in the bariatric industry, Dr. Champion was instrumental in establishing Centers of Excellence in the U.S. This ASBS designation assures the public that a practice performing weight loss operations has qualified bariatric surgical and healthcare professionals, is appropriately equipped and has an education support program to take care of severely obese patients.

Dr. Champion’s rigorous standards are present throughout the Videoscopic Institute. As such, our commitment to patient care and exemplary reputation draws patients from across the United States.

Dr. Champion, a nationally recognized expert in videoscopic general and thoracic surgery, is board certified by The American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is an active member of several professional associations. Dr. Champion currently holds a position as Clinical Professor of Surgery at Mercer University and has previously served as Director of Endosurgical Education at Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. Champion performs the most up-to-date procedures, including:

Insurance and financing

We accept private insurance and cash for the cost of weight-loss surgery . You are responsible for deductibles and co-pay amounts as well as all travel and lodging costs. Fees must be paid before surgery; however, we can arrange financing or assistance in obtaining out-of-network insurance benefits, if available.

Acquiring authorization from your insurance company may seem daunting. We can assist you in obtaining authorization and provide information about financing or the cost of weight-loss surgery.

Planning for your surgery

Delta , AirTran and US Airways have daily non-stop flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Hartsville-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Once in Atlanta, take a taxi or drive to our office (140 Vann Street, Suite 350, Marietta, Georgia 30060, Phone: 770-574-4868). Or, Charlotte is a four-hour drive through the scenic Piedmont Plateau and past soothing Lake Hartwell and Georgia’s largest winery, Chateau Elan,.

Videoscopic Institute is a quick drive to historic Marietta Square, delightful Vinings and all the hot spots in Buckhead . We will be glad to make your travel and lodging arrangements and suggest restaurant options.

When planning for your bariatric surgery, Charlotte patients should estimate spending one week in Atlanta. On the Monday prior to your surgery, you will meet with our bariatric nurse to review the pre-operative process, then receive an evaluation from Dr. Champion and, finally, go to Northside Hospital for pre-op testing (i.e., anesthesiology, lab work, radiology and EKG).

Most surgeries will occur on Tuesday or Wednesday, but this is dependent on the surgical schedule. Gastric bypass patients typically stay in the hospital for 48 hours while LAP band patients generally require 23 hours for post-operative observation, but exact hospitalization time may vary.

After undergoing gastric bypass or LapBand® surgery, Charlotte patients should restrict travel for 72 hours immediately following the procedure.

Our staff will be glad to assist you in making travel arrangements for your stay in Atlanta and answer any questions that you may have about the entire process. Contact us at (770) 425-5525 or register online to arrange an appointment or get more information.