Dr. Ponce has been practicing bariatric surgery since 1998 and is the Medical Director for CHI Memorial Hospital Bariatric Surgery and Obesity Medicine program in Chattanooga Tennessee.
Dr. Ponce is Past-President (2012-2013) of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and President of the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) North American Chapter (2021-2023). Has been a member of the Executive Council of the ASMBS (2009-2016), member of the Executive Board of IFSO (2013-2016, 2021-2023), served as Chair of the Bariatric Surgical Review Committee for the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program (2007-2009), Chair of the ASMBS Insurance Committee (2009-2011), member of the Program, Professional Education, Emerging Technologies, Flexible Endoscopy, Community/Independent Practice and Bariatric Training Committees from the ASMBS, Vice-President and Founding Member of the ASMBS Tennessee State Chapter, was selected member of the AOA, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and the ASMBS, Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), American Board of Surgery Focused Practice Designation in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery, maintains memberships with IFSO, SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons), SSAT (Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract), American Foregut Society (AFS) and has been given Honorary Membership by the Brazilian Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Spanish Society for Surgery of Obesity. Dr. Ponce has published articles in peer reviewed surgical journals, lectured in different meetings, been a guest speaker in international congresses and courses and has been involved in several clinical trials including several FDA studies. Dr. Ponce is a member of the Editorial Board of the Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases and Obesity Surgery journals and Editor of the ASMBS Textbook of Surgery 1st and 2nd Edition.
Selected publications from PubMed
Surgical Options for Refractory Anastomotic Ulcer after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Narrative Review of the Literature.
Noel P, Cazeres C, Lutfi RE, Nocca D, Manos T, Loureiro M, Palermo M, Jacobs M, Ponce J
J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2026 Oct;36(10):731-736 doi: 10.1177/10926429261440860.
The International Federation for Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity (IFSO) Consensus on Clinical Practice in Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty.
Cohen RV, Ponce J, Abu Dayyeh B, Stier C, Levinson R, Salminen P, Prager G
Obes Surg. 2026 Apr;36(4):1444-1449 doi: 10.1007/s11695-026-08518-3.
Optimizing Safety and Outcomes in Metabolic/Bariatric Surgery: A Conceptual Framework for Staged Minimally Invasive Treatment.
Ponce J, Lutfi R, Buchwald J, Peterson R
Obes Surg. 2026 Mar;36(3):1342-1353 doi: 10.1007/s11695-026-08503-w.
International expert consensus on surgery for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Kermansaravi M, Omar I, Finer N, Le Roux C, Carbajo MA, Sarwer D, Busetto L, Ponce J, Logue J, Parretti HM, O'Kane M, Shahabi S, Khunti K, Blakemore AI, Stenberg E, Abbott S, Alqahtani A, Aminian A, Amr B, Balibrea JM, Batterham RL, Behrens E, Bhatt DL, Chesworth P, Chowbey P, Clare K, Neto MG, Graham Y, Goel R, Hanif W, Herrera MF, Kasama K, Kassir R, Knop FK, Kothari SN, Kristinsson JA, McGowan B, McKechnie A, Miller K, Miras AD, Morton J, Ogden J, Peterli R, Pinkney JH, Pournaras D, Pouwels S, Prager G, Salminen P, Serlie MJ, Shabbir A, Singhal R, Taheri S, Tahrani AA, Weiner R, Shikora SA, Mahawar K
BMC Endocr Disord. 2025 Jul 1;25(1):151 doi: 10.1186/s12902-025-01961-w.
International expert consensus on the current status and future prospects of artificial intelligence in metabolic and bariatric surgery.
Kermansaravi M, Chiappetta S, Shahabi Shahmiri S, Varas J, Parmar C, Lee Y, Dang JT, Shabbir A, Hashimoto D, Davarpanah Jazi AH, Meireles OR, Aarts E, Almomani H, Alqahtani A, Aminian A, Behrens E, Birk D, Cantu FJ, Cohen RV, De Luca M, Di Lorenzo N, Dillemans B, ElFawal MH, Felsenreich DM, Gagner M, Galvan HG, Galvani C, Gawdat K, Ghanem OM, Haddad A, Himpens J, Kasama K, Kassir R, Khoursheed M, Khwaja H, Kow L, Lainas P, Lakdawala M, Tello RL, Mahawar K, Marchesini C, Masrur MA, Meza C, Musella M, Nimeri A, Noel P, Palermo M, Pazouki A, Ponce J, Prager G, Quiróz-Guadarrama CD, Rheinwalt KP, Rodriguez JG, Saber AA, Salminen P, Shikora SA, Stenberg E, Stier CK, Suter M, Szomstein S, Taskin HE, Vilallonga R, Wafa A, Yang W, Zorron R, Torres A, Kroh M, Zundel N
Sci Rep. 2025 Mar 18;15(1):9312 doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-94335-0.
Welcome to the AIS Awards 2023! The event acknowledges the collective efforts of residents, surgeons, healthcare professionals, and the AIS Team in democratizing medical training through online content. With 11 awards across four categories and 45 nominees, the ceremony reflects the remarkable achievements of the AIS Community. Awards are based on real AIS Channel metrics, with two categories determined by audience votes. While celebrating winners, we also recognize the dedication of outstanding surgeons not nominated today. The prizes to be distributed will be as follows: Emerging KOLs Category Most Listened Podcast Most Viewed SOC Most Viewed ACW More Events Held KOL Category More Events Held Most Viewed OOO Live Webinar Category Most Viewed Live Surgery Greatest Social Impact Special Awards Category Best Academic Initiative Congress of the year Surgical Event of the year The virtual gathering provides a unique opportunity for professionals to connect, making the ceremony unforgettable. Join us in honoring the AIS Community's achievements this 2023!
Published
Dec 2023
NEW GUIDELINES FOR WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY Medical Groups Replace Outdated Consensus Statement that Overly Restricts Access to Modern-Day Weight-Loss Surgery Click here to watch the visual abstract of the guidelines Click here to download the guidelines document for free
Published
Feb 2023
In this lecture, Dr. Ponce explains the concept of Center of Excellence and how to get there, based on the US experience. In the United States of America, the “Center of Excellence” accreditation was established in the 2000s, after bariatric surgery yielded questionable outcomes, preventing patients from accessing coverage from insurance companies for these types of procedures. After a significant increase in laparoscopic surgery and more appropriate data reporting, results on morbidity, readmissions, reoperations and, more importantly, mortality, improved significantly. The initial parameters that insurance companies sought were unfair, but the COE was born. This accreditation allows for quality improvement and patient safety. It is based on three pillars: Structure: includes infrastructure, equipment, material and human resources, etc.Process: patient selection, protocols and pathways, surgical technique, in-hospital and follow-up careOutcomes: complications, length of stay, 30-day morbidity, mortality, long-term weight-loss and comorbidity resolution. In 2012, the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery joined efforts to establish a single protocol, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBASQIP). These guidelines allow for the evaluation of each bariatric unit and determine whether or not it meets the standards. Studies show that COEs have better outcomes than non-COE centers, even when comparing high-volume centers. The difference in mortality rates seems to be due to the failure to rescue patients with an acute complication. Early diagnosis and treatment in specialized centers with standardized pathways and access to critical care offer better results. The MBASQIP was published in the form of a manual describing all the different parameters to be met, including: Institutional commitmentVolume criteria (50 stapling cases/year has been established as the minimum) Obesity CommitteeEquipment and resourcesProtocols and pathwaysData system (reliable data collection, with well-defined data points and a dedicated clinical reviewer) Quality improvement (identification and addressing of specific problems, i.e. DVT with an adequate prophylactic scheme). In summary, COE status can improve safety and outcomes, allows for data acquisition, and can increase hospital support for bariatric program implementation. Endorsed by: [Image]
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Apr 2021
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