Because we’re accustomed to operating on obese patients, surgeons with Norton Weight Management Services are uniquely situated to perform general abdominal surgery on these patients, including gallbladder removal, repairing hiatal or abdominal wall hernias, colon resections and lipoma removal.

We get pigeonholed as bariatric surgeons, but Jeff W. Allen, M.D., and I both continue to train residents and fellows in laparoscopic surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

In addition to our experience as surgeons, we have the benefit of performing surgeries at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, which is outfitted with surgical suites that have longer instruments and special operating tables for positioning obese patients.

Norton Healthcare anesthesiologists have experience with the complex airway issues associated with obesity, and we also offer excellent postoperative care for these patients.

We know obese patients heal at different rates. They come to us, and we’re happy to help take care of them if they need the next level of care. Included in that care is a level of consideration and compassion these patients may not find elsewhere.

In fact, many of my general surgery patients who are obese find the care at Norton Healthcare so good they go on to choose Norton Weight Management Services for bariatric surgery.

Dr. Tanner is a general, bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon with Norton Surgical Specialists and Norton Weight Management Services.