I can’t say enough nice things about the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity and Dr. Hugh Houston. The program there has guided me through this process step by step. I am not sure how anyone can complete all of the requirements without someone helping guide them.
My primary care physician, Dr. David Edwards a very caringly, referred me. Shortly after my referral and attended an informational session. The session was very informative, covered all of the WLS options offered, described the procedures and the pros and cons of each. This session was lead by one of the surgeons who was able to answer everyone’s questions. There was also office staff on hand to answer questions about insurance and payment options and to describe the overall process not just the surgical procedures. It was extra nice that some of the staff had also had WLS so they provided a personal insight.
So I began my research and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Houston. I selected Dr. Houston because of the particular surgery I was interested in and many good things I had heard about him from others. I was very impressed from the first minute I met Dr. Houston. He stopped by the room I was waiting and introduced himself then let me know that he needed to run across the street to the hospital to check on a patient and would be back in about 20 minutes. He said if I didn’t have time to wait I could reschedule (I had time and a book so I didn’t mind waiting). I was very impressed the he took the top to stop in personally rather than sending in a member of the office staff or worse yet just leaving me sitting there. He returned in about 30 minutes and apologized for the delay. I thought he might be in a hurry so he could get back on track, but I didn’t feel rushed at all. He proceeded to discuss each of the surgery options the pros and cons and possible complications. Once he was finished he asked which surgery I was interested in. I had the list narrowed down to two procedures and he thought one of my choices was probably a good option but thought the other one might not be such a good option and he proceeded to explain why. We finally settled on a procedure and he asked me to try to lose 40lbs before my surgery.
So in made my way through the 3 month program required by my insurance. Again I can’t say enough about this program. It was very helpful. Especially the psychologist led support group sessions and just the general support to make sure that I was on track to meet all of my insurance requirements. After three months I went back to meet with Dr. Houston. I have lost about 32 of the 40 pounds he had requested I lose. I was afraid he might be disappointed because I didn’t lose the entire 40 and certainly didn’t expect a complement because several people have told me he rarely gives complements. I was surprised when he looked at my chart and was very complementary of my weight loss. He tone then became more serious. He told me that he had some concerns about the procedure I had selected and proceeded to explain why. He was recommending a less aggressive approach based on some over all concerns he had about the procedure and based on my weight loss during the past 3 months. He thought I might not need the more aggressive surgery. It was my understanding that this was supposed to be a 15 appointment, but it was more than double that as we discussed his recommendation and my feelings about that. He said he would do the procedure we originally planned on if I wanted but he strongly advised me to have a different procedure. During this exchange it was very clear how much he cares about his patients and wants to make sure they do well and receive the procedure that is best suited to their needs. I am 100% comfortable with Dr. Houston performing my procedure and I was touched by his support and concern.
My surgery has been scheduled!

He is a great Doctor with a wonderful staff. I meet with several doctors and a few different hospitals and Dr. Housaton and his staff are by far the best. My surgery was a success andhe and his staff have continued to be supportive and helpful every step of the way.

I have to say this was the best experience I have ever had. Dr Houston took me on as a patient after a surgeon in Clarksville TN was just going to let me die AND TOTAL MESS ME UP. I spent months in and out the hospital in clarksville. I had 3 abdominal surgeries there and still was sick. The doctor made me feel as if I were crazy, but one thing that worked for me was that I am a RN and I am not a big dumb A**. So that brings us to Dr Houston that took me and helped save my life. I had another surgery to redue the mess that was inside me. I did have internal bleeding 2 days after surgery, but was rushed to ICU with Dr Houston pushing my bed with the nurses. Dr Houston never left my side durning this scary moment for me. Dr Houston had to perform an emergency surgery due to the feeding tube and my body rejecting it. He is who you want to do your surgery to begin with. I then had a bowel obstruction and a swollen stomach. Dr Houston had a tube placed in my old stomach so it could deflat it so to speak. I spent 4 weeks total in the hospital. Tis hospital was wonderful. The nurse at his office came daily or called to check on me. I think her for her support. Please listen and check who your surgeon is. If he makes you feel crazy...RUN.. Tell your insurance company and let them know how the doctor is treating you. Have the surgery done right to begin with go with Dr Houston and you will be in a wonderful mans hands. He is so great. Any problems after I returned home his office made sure I was okay and knew to call day or night to ask questions and speak to the doctor not an answering service! GO WITH DR HOUSTON! HE IS GREAT!
Thanks to his office staff also.. You will never regret this experience with this doctor or his exprienced staff.

My first impression of him was he was not really friendly. I heard reviews that he was a good surgeon- which he was (RNY was done 10/11/2011). If you are looking for a doctor that knows his stuff--he is the one. But if you want the whole package (compassion,good listener and someone that does not talk down to you)...he is not the one. His staff is great. No problems at all with them. Also noticed the staff and the hospital staff tend to walk on eggshells around him. That felt really awkward.

I just had my 2 year Surgiversary yesterday, Dec 1, 2011. I am proud to say that I have lost 115 pounds and feel wonderful! Many thanks to Dr. Houston and staff and all my friends and family for their support. I hope to stay on track for the rest of my life! Mr Houston is a wonderful surgeon!

UPDATE: On Dec 15, 2011 I started feeling very sick to my stomach. I thought I had a stomach bug or the flu. By Saturday the 17th, I was bent over with pain, vomiting and went to St Thomas Hospital. There they done a CT and found out I had a hernia in my intestines. I was sent immediately to Centennial Women's Hospital by ambulance and wheeled into emergency surger almost immediately. Dr Houston told me that they stitches that he put in connecting my intestines to my "pouch" hadn't healed properly and it had tears that needed repairing and also I had hernias in my intestines. I was also told my a nurse at St Thomas when I was getting into the ambulance that I was lucky that I came in because I probably wouldn't have made it another day.

I had no idea I was in that bad of shape, like I said, I thought I had a stomach bug or something. So, if anyone out there starts having those feelings, don't hesitate to call your bariatric surgeon.

Dr. Houston is a very professional to the T kind of doctor; however my favorite part about him is that you find out he really cares about his patients. I had a unexpected complication after my surgery and Dr. Houston took care of me and made sure everything was ok. Thank you Doctor!

I would give Dr. Houston specifically and The entire Centennial Team in general, a full 50 stars if I could. At all times Dr. Houston was kind, professional, and supportive. I went through the process rather quickly (in about a month) and both Dr. Houston and Holly mad the process absolutely stress free - from dealing with the insurance process, pre-op care, and post-op care.

This was my first surgery ever and I had a good deal of emotional fear even though intellectually I knew the risks and how low they were and what I had to gain. Dr. Houston and his staff were compassionate and understanding. My family was invited to participate up until the time I was taken into the pre-op area. After the surgery Dr. Houston spoke to my family and reassured them.

As for the surgery itself, Dr. Houston must be the Michelangelo of the operating room. I had more discomfort from the IV and breathing tube than from the Sleeve or the incisions. The incisions themselves have healed quickly and some are almost unnoticeable a month after surgery. In aftercare, Dr. Houston has taken the time to personally return phone calls and e-mails with medical questions.

If you are considering Bariatric Surgery, I would give my highest recommendation to Dr. Houston and the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity.

Dr Houston is ... well awesome!! No other words...Of course there is so much more to the whole experience than just the physician. In fact, in my opionion the physician can be stellar, but without a great support staff he becomes just mediocre.


I started my journey with another physician group in another city, and I was really unhappy. I felt like I was part of a surgery mill. I was already through a great deal of the process when I started looking around. I found info about Centennial Center for Treatment of Obesity here on this board and googled them, emailed Pam Davis who is the program director... Well she called me back at 6:30pm that same evening and spend 25 min telling me about the program at Centennial. I was impressed from that phone call on... The only reservation was that Centennial is 3 hours away from my home... That quickly became a very minor detail.

First I dealt with the Financial Councelors to get all my records transferred and my insurance benefits verified. Heather became a lifeline. She always promptly responded to my calls/emails... And are you ready for this?!?!?! She frequently initiated emails of her own to keep me up to speed!!!

Next I dealt with Holly at Dr Houston's office. She was a dream. She treated me like a friend and listened to my special needs. She really cared about my timelime and my work situation. She went above and beyond her job to help me. ( And I seriously get the impression that she does this on a regular basis.) She helped me get my appointments scheduled AND get my pre-op stuff done and got me a terriffic surgery date!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Then there was the good doctor himself. I waiting on him.... (Are you ready for this????) like 10 min?!?!?!? Is that crazy or what?!?!?! How many times do you go to the doctor and wait like an hour? Not here.... (not gonna say it never happens but I seriously beleive that it is not the norm.) He has such a relaxed calming demenor and explained in great detail what to expect and what I would experience. He talked about obesity and discussed me inparticular while going over my records. He was very encouraging about the surgery and about being about to do it laprascopically.
He spent almost 30 min with me that first day.

My surgery went very well, and Dr Houston came every day to check on me. He praised me for doing a good job of getting fluids in, protein in and for walking. He listened to my questions and answered them without having one foot out the door of the hospital room!

The nursing staff that took care of me was great also. They were always right there almost before I needed anything and were very professional and cheerful! They seem like they really enjoy their jobs! They were awesome to my husband, too. When I did have to push the nurses call button, it never seemed that it was at all an inconvenience. Almost felt like that they were there just for me!!!

I don't think anyone could find a better "total package" than Dr Houson and the staff at Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obestiy! I know that my family and I are very pleased!!! Thank you everyone!!!!

I was referred to Dr. Hugh Houston by a friend that he performed a by pass on. Dr. Houston did the sleeve on me. I am very happy with Dr. Houston. At my first visit with him, he spent over an hour with me explaining the sleeve procedure, before and after care, and encouraged questions. He did not rush me in or out. He made me feel relaxed. His office staff has been very efficient when I have dealt with them and also treats me as a person rather than a number. Dr. Houston is very serious and wants you to do exactly as he says and the literature he gives you and will "fuss" if you do not follow his program to the letter. I have had a good experience with Dr. Houston and his staff.

I was not impressed with the Woman's Hospital at Centennial. I think their biggest problem was that they needed more staff. They appeared short handed. My stay was a Monday thru Wednesday and did not involve any weekend time when hospitals are usually short handed. I will not get into my displeasure with the Women's Hospital but there are many situations that I was not happy with and I am not a complainer.