Savvy patients are taking a quick flight from Columbia to find their dream bodies.

Consider Atlanta for your bariatric surgery. Columbia patients get the care they deserve at the Videoscopic Institute, a Center of Excellence dedicated exclusively to weight loss surgery. Columbia patients receive:

  • Experience and skills of bariatric surgeon Dr. J.K. Champion, Medical Director for the Videoscopic Institute, who has done 2600 laparoscopic weight loss procedures.
  • Minimally invasive bariatric options, including LapBand®and gastric bypass surgery.
  • Outstanding healthcare experience at the Videoscopic Institute, designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS).
  • Superb inpatient care at Northside Hospital, named as Atlanta’s Most Preferred Hospital for Overall Healthcare Services for ten consecutive years.

A professional team devoted to your weight–loss surgery needs
Dr. Champion, recognizing the lack of standards in the bariatric industry, worked with the ASBS to establish the designation, Center of Excellence. This assures that weight-loss practitioners have met the rigorous ASBS standards for staff, equipment and education support program.

Dr. Champion’s personal standards reflect the Videoscopic Institute’s commitment to patient care. We provide support groups, educational materials and programs, routine in-office bone scans to minimize the risk of osteoporosis, lab monitoring for vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, dietary counseling and free lifetime aftercare.

Dr. Champion, an 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 an active member of several professional associations. He is Clinical Professor of Surgery at Mercer University and a former Director of Endosurgical Education at Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. Champion performs laparoscopic procedures, including:

Insurance and financing
The Videoscopic Institute accepts cash and insurance; can arrange financing or help in obtaining authorization or out-of-network insurance benefits. You must pay deductibles, co-payments and all travel and lodging costs. All fees must be paid before surgery. Feel free to contact us online or at (770) 425-5525 for additional information about insurance, financing or the cost of weight-loss surgery.

Planning for your surgery
Delta offers daily, nonstop flights from Columbia Metropolitan Airport to Hartsville-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Once you arrive, take a rental car or taxi to our office in northwest Atlanta (140 Vann Street, Suite 350, Marietta, Georgia 30060, Phone: 770-574-4868). Atlanta is about a four-hour drive from Columbia. Due west on 1-20, you will pass through Conyers-home to the Georgia International Horse Park, site of the 1996 Olympics equestrian venue-and Stone Mountain Park, theme park and host to the longest running laser show in America.

The Videscopic Institute is located in Marietta, a suburb of northwest Atlanta. We will be glad to make travel arrangements or suggest nearby lodging and restaurants. We are near several Atlanta areas, such as exciting Buckhead, historic Marietta Square or charming Vinings.

When preparing for your bariatric surgery, Columbia patients should expect a one-week stay. Monday will be a full day. First, our bariatric nurse will go over the pre-operative process with you at our office. Next, Dr. Champion will do a pre-op evaluation. Finally, you will undergo pre-o testing at Northside Hospital. Most surgeries happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. Although actual hospitalization time may vary, LapBand® patients typically stay for 23 hours while gastric bypass patients require 23 hours. After gastric bypass or LapBand® surgery, Columbia patients should rest not travel for 72 hours.

For more information or to arrange a consultation or travel arrangements, contact us at (770) 425-5525 or online.