Dr. Watson's and Dr. Hodge's credentials speak for themselves, as you learn below. We all want the best medical treatment for our loved ones and ourselves and Dr. Watson and Hodge's teams are dedicated to doing that through advanced surgical techniques.

Dr. Scott D. Watson, M.D., F.A.C.S. 20 years experience as a surgeon. Began first laparoscopic hernia program in the state of Tennessee with one of the largest series in the nation. Dr. Watson was also the first to perform the following procedures laparoscopically in the Northeast Tennessee region:   Gastric Bypass   Cholecystectomy   Splenectomy   Appendectomy   Hiatal Hernia Performed first known laparoscopic-assisted hemicolectomy and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and laparoscopic hernia repair in the state of Tennessee. Dr. Watson taught advanced laparoscopic techniques at The Advanced Laparoscopic Training Center in Atlanta, GA and The Ethicon Endo Surgery Center in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Watson began the laparoscopic gastric bypass program in January 2002. The program includes counseling by registered dietitians and bi-monthly support group meetings.

Dr. Michael J. Hodge, M.D., F.A.C.S. 16 years experience as a surgeon averaging over 600 - 800 surgical procedures per year. One of only 3 surgeons in upper East Tennessee offering laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery for obesity. Surgical interests include minimally invasive surgery, particularly the laparoscopic approach to a variety of disease processes including:   Gastric bypass   Hernias of both the groin and abdominal wall   Cancer   Abdominal organs   Stereotatic breast biopsy   Sentinel node biopsy   Thyroid and parathyroid surgery   Hemorrhoidal stapling   Endoscopy (EGD and colonoscopy) Clinical associate professor of surgery with the Quillen College of Medicine and current member of the Credentials Committee of the Department of Surgery at the Johnson City Medical Center. Progressive in transforming procedures that traditionally have been approached by open surgery to minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Board certified in general surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.