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Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD

Accepting New Patients

(123 Ratings)

Specializes in: Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery

University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine (2000)

Professional interests include: weight loss, endoscopy, obesity, and more.

719 THOMPSON LANE SUITE 22200
NASHVILLE, TN 37204

(615) 322-5000

Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD is a bariatric surgeon in NASHVILLE, TN specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. He graduated from University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in 2000 and has 26 years of experience. Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD is affiliated with Vanderbilt Health and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

Office Locations

719 THOMPSON LANE SUITE 22200
NASHVILLE, TN 37204

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Some issues Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD can help you with:

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that promotes weight loss by reducing the stomach and altering how the digestive system absorbs and processes food. The procedure treats morbid obesity, where one's weight impairs day-to-day function or poses serious health risks. Gastric bypass surgery is used only after other weight loss treatments are unsuccessful.

Generally, gastric bypass surgery is performed on patients who have a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgeons frequently expect patients to first attempt natural weight loss for about six months to prove to the surgeon that the patient is capable of maintaining a post-surgery diet and exercise regimen.

For obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has many potential health and weight benefits. Gastric bypass surgery restricts the amount of food the stomach contains, as well as:

Reduces the calories the stomach absorbs
Alters gastrointestinal hormones, which help to heal obesity-induced metabolic syndrome
Suppresses appetite
Alleviates conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity, such as obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
Contributes to mental health by improving self-esteem

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is stapled to reduce its size, and a small hole is created in the stomach and attached to the middle section of the small intestine. This direct connection between the stomach and the middle of the small intestine creates a channel for some food to bypass the normal route. By bypassing the upper small intestine and larger region of the stomach, food is not fully absorbed and patients do not retain the same amount of calories as before. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as "Roux-en-Y" gastric bypass surgery. Some bariatric surgeons may perform a "laparoscopic bypass" which uses a tiny camera (laparoscope) to guide the procedure.

Gastric bypass surgery is performed with general anesthesia and as preparation, a liquid diet is required for two weeks prior to undergoing the surgery. After the surgery, patients will spend about two days in the hospital and may miss work for two to three weeks. In the first month after the surgery, patients are only able to consume small portions of liquid or soft food. Even after reintroducing solid food, patients feel full quickly, sometimes after eating just two or three tablespoons. Some patients experience "dumping syndrome" (rapid processing of food into the small intestine), which is common during the recovery process. Gastric bypass surgery patients must also make permanent lifestyle changes. For example, gastric bypass patients are required to take vitamins for life after surgery and required to forever avoid certain foods, such as alcohol, sugar, and high fat food.

While the gastric bypass recovery process can be challenging, surgery results are usually swift: most gastric bypass surgery patients lose nearly half to two thirds of their starting weight within two years of surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.

By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.

Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.

Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“This is a gift for the Everetts, this is a gift for David Williams, this is a gift for Vanderbilt University.”—"Vanderbilt tops Michigan 8-2 to capture College World Series title", Chicago Tribune, June 2019

“NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - David Williams II, the first black athletic director in the Southeastern Conference, has died.”—"Friday Sports in Brief", The Washington Times, February 2019

“The transition team was led by Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor David Williams and Betty Molina Morgan, president of the Morgan Education Group.”—"Team recommends 100-plus changes for Nashville schools", Associated Press News, February 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in NASHVILLE, TN during 2012 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, minor procedures and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	20
diagnostic procedures	21
doctor visit	109
gastrointestinal procedures	37
minimally invasive procedures	58
minor procedures	21
weight management	20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in NASHVILLE, TN during 2013 were minimally invasive procedures, bypass surgery, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	24
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	116
gastrointestinal procedures	24
minimally invasive procedures	36
minor procedures	12
weight management	24

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Gender**
Male	47
Female	73

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	103
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	80

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	48
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in NASHVILLE, TN during 2014 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	19
doctor visit	99
gastrointestinal procedures	19
minimally invasive procedures	19
weight management	19

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Gender**
Male	41
Female	62

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	91
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	65

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	50
Chronic Kidney Disease	12
Asthma	23
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	46
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in NASHVILLE, TN during 2015 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	14
doctor visit	60
gastrointestinal procedures	14
minimally invasive procedures	14
weight management	14

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	114

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	138
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	40
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	120

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	49
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	36
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	48

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Gender**
Male	12
Female	53

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	54
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	62
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	35
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	52
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	25

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	58
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	51
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	19

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	25

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	63
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	53
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	45

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Gender**
Male	13
Female	46

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	71
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	41
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	37

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	49
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	34

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2020

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	70
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	40
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	33

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	20
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	27

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2021

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	57
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	30
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	20
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	66
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	58
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in NASHVILLE, TN were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, bypass surgery and weight management.

bypass surgery	19
diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	59
gastrointestinal procedures	23
minimally invasive procedures	31
minor procedures	16
weight management	19

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD.

**Gender**
Male	14
Female	31

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	39
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	40
65 to 74	7

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD treated were hypertension, depression, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	53
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	0
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	41
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Cancer	0
Dementia	0

Education & Training

Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD graduated from University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in 2000. He completed residency at Stanford University Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has a state license in Tennessee.

Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine (2000)

Residency: Stanford University Medical Center (2007)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery

Licensed In: Tennessee

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Vanderbilt Health

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 123 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in NASHVILLE, TN.

4.8

Overall Rating

(123 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-11-24

Patient verified via Press Ganey

I had a great deal of questions/concerns and all of those were answered. Al plan of action was discussed for next steps.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Ethicon US, LLC	$363 SURGICEL Family of Absorbable Hemostats $111	ECHELON FLEX CST System $110	Energy: Harmonic $92	ECHELON FLEX Stapler $50
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$217 Da Vinci Surgical System $217
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.	$211 SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple $211
Medtronic, Inc.	$191 $191
Stryker Corporation	$166 1588 HD 3 Chip Camera $166
Other	$293 ZEMBRACE SYMTOUCH $86	Surgical Energy Products $65	ZERBAXA $13	$129

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$1,427
Education	$13

Research Payments

Dr. David Brandon Williams, MD has received 13 research payments totaling $101,564.

Biography

Dr. David Williams is a specialist in general surgery and bariatric surgery. He works in Nashville, TN. His areas of expertise include obesity, gastric bypass surgery, and metabolic disorders. Patient ratings for Dr. Williams average 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Williams obtained his medical school training at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine and performed his residency at Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Williams is affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact his office in NASHVILLE, TN.