Dr. Provost attended medical school at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, graduating fourth in his class of more than 200 medical students. He remained at UT Southwestern to conduct his residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital and became an Assistant Professor in 1995. Dr. Provost went on to become the Medical Director for the Surgical Management of Obesity at UT Southwestern Medical Center from 2000-2008. He has taught bariatric surgery procedures to hundreds of medical students and doctors and is also a featured medical expert on the Weight Loss Surgery Channel.

Dr. Provost is proud to open a new practice in the north DFW area to continue providing expert care to weight loss surgery patients from all parts of the country. His areas of specialization include Lap-Band® and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, endoscopic pouch reduction, and revisional surgery for the management of complications and failures of prior weight loss surgery operations. A strong proponent of patient support both before and after bariatric surgery, Dr. Provost’s Denton weight loss surgery practice also sponsors regular weight loss surgery support groups.

Chrystyna Senkel, PA-C: Bariatric Physician Assistant

Chrystyna has been Dr Provost’s Physician Assistant since 2005. Chrystyna graduated from Texas A&M University in 1995 and completed her PA Studies at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 1998. Certified as an Attitudinal Healing Group Facilitator, Chrystyna co-facilitates the bi-monthly Bariatric Support group. Having battled with obesity all her life, Chrystyna has a personal understanding and appreciation of her patients struggles. Her interests include gardening, reading, movies, improvisational comedy, dog rescue, meditation, and recovery from food addiction. Chrystyna lives in Burleson with her husband and 4 dogs. Chrystyna loves working in bariatrics because she has the opportunity to witness miracles in the lives of patients on a daily basis.

Vickie Burch: Office Manager

Vickie has been part of our staff since September of 2009. She has worked in the medical field for 12 years assisting patients with their insurance needs and questions. Vickie attended Cooke County College, majoring in Business Management and Photography and earned an Associates degree in Business Management in 1989. She went on to attend International Business School for Medical Office and Administration Assistants, and earned her certification in 2000 with a focus on accounting. Although Vickie has a non-clinical role at Provost Bariatrics, she understands patient needs and their personal daily struggles as they learn how to utilize their WLS. Vickie lives in Gainesville, Texas. She has a 22 yr old daughter who is also focusing her studies in the medical field. She has 4 dogs, 4 cats, and enjoys reading, movies, gardening, traveling, hunting, fishing, and just about anything else outdoors.

Cheri Clark: Receptionist

Cheri has worked with Dr. Provost since February 2010. Although new to the medical field, Cheri has quickly grasped bariatric terminology and concepts and has made herself at home in the family at Provost Bariatrics. Cheri lives in Denton with her husband, 2 children and 2 dogs. Her interests include movies, camping, horseback riding, go-cart racing and long walks on the beach. Cheri enjoys working in bariatrics because she enjoys watching patients achieve their goals.

Janaca “Jan” Cofer, MA: Bariatric Medical Assistant

Janaca has been with Dr. Provost since October 2008. She started working in the medical field in 1992 with Denton Regional Medical Center. After working at the hospital for several years, Jan moved to working in specialty private practices. About herself, Jan says “I am one of those who got here as soon as I could.” Her family moved to North Central Texas in 1981 from North East Arkansas. She graduated from Aubrey High School in 1987 and married in 1993. She has two beautiful and very strong-willed daughters and two adorable dogs. Her family attends Krum Church of Christ, where Jan is the coordinator for the Angel Food Ministries. Jan cherishes every experience she has working with patients and seeing them meet their goals.

Skyler Griffin, RN, BSN: Bariatric Nurse Coordinator

Skyler has been Dr. Provost’s Bariatric Nurse Coordinator since August 2008. She graduated from Midwestern State University in 2003 with a BS in Nursing. She has worked in numerous specialty areas of the medical field including oncology, medical/surgical, cardiac, and bariatrics. Skyler co-facilitates the bi-monthly Bariatric Support Group. Looks can be deceiving; however, as she too has a personal understanding and appreciation of the struggles of patients. Her interests include hiking, camping, hunting/fishing, sewing/crafts, movies, and animals. Skyler lives in Krum with her husband, 2 daughters, and dog–Bolt. Skyler is grateful for the opportunity to assist you and to witness the physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation along your weight loss journey.

Danielle Gemoets, RD: Bariatric Dietician

Danielle has been the dietitian for Provost Bariatrics since April 2010. She is not originally from Texas, but has grown to enjoy it over the past several years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her dietetic internship at Texas Woman’s University. Currently, she is finishing the last few credit hours to obtain a Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. She has always had a passion for nutrition, but it wasn’t until her dietetic internship that she discovered her love of bariatrics. She greatly enjoys guiding patients through their weight loss journeys and looks forward to the opportunity to assist you in achieving your goals. She has lived in Denton since June 2008 with her husband and three dogs. Her hobbies include cooking, working with youth, and doing home improvements.

KC Stone: Benefits Coordinator, Benefits Specialist

KC attended the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio where she studied Small Business Management. Since moving to Texas in 1999, she has worked in the medical field assisting patients with their insurance needs and coordination of benefits. KC lives in Sanger, Texas with her husband John and 4 year old daughter, Taylor. She has 2 dogs, 3 horses, and enjoys reading, movies, and team roping.

To earn the Bariatric Center of Excellence designation, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton had to pass a series of thorough site inspections, during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined, and pass rigorous evaluations concerning data on health outcomes of the hospital’s bariatric patients. The rigorous standards with which Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence must comply are established by the non-profit Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). Fewer than 400 hospitals and freestanding outpatient facilities nationwide have been designated Centers of Excellence.

“The recent designation confirms the hospital’s commitment to providing the highest level of care to patients undergoing weight loss surgery,” says David Provost, M.D., F.A.C.S., medical director of the Bariatric Surgery Center at the Denton hospital. He adds, “The designation also provides local access for bariatric surgery to Medicare beneficiaries, and offers multiple options to all patients considering weight loss surgery, including laparascopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparscopic adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, as well as revisional, complicated and high-risk procedures.”

The Bariatric Surgery Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton provides comprehensive care for patients undergoing weight loss surgery in Denton, and Dr. David Provost is recognized as one of the nation’s leading bariatric experts. Dr. Provost has performed laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for more than ten years, and has done the Lap-Band® procedure (laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding) since 2001, the year that the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the Lap-Band in the U.S.

In addition to providing obesity surgery patients with the highest quality surgical treatment and expertise, the Bariatric Surgery Center coordinates complete, multidisciplinary care for Denton weight loss surgery patients, including nutritional, psychological, and rehabilitative care, and sponsors regular support groups for pre- and post-operative patients. The Provost Bariatrics Support Group meets from 7:00p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Dr. Provost’s office (2501 Scripture Road, Medical Building #6, Suite 303 in Denton). Participants are also encouraged to arrive early (at 5:45 p.m.) and join other patients for an hour-long walk around the hospital grounds and neighboring park.

For more information on the weight loss surgery support group offered by Dr. David Provost, or to schedule a consultation to discuss bariatric surgery options at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, please call Provost Bariatrics at 940-323-3450.

Provost Bariatrics coordinates complete, multidisciplinary care for obesity surgery patients, including nutritional, psychological, and rehabilitative care. The practice also sponsors regular support groups for pre- and post-operative patients.

PRE-SURGICAL CONSULTATION
During your initial visit, Dr. Provost will carefully explain the details about weight loss operations, including the risks, benefits and dietary changes that can be expected, and he will answer any questions you may have. If you decide to have surgery, we will contact your insurance company to obtain approval (see below). Occasionally this may take several weeks, and appeals may be necessary. Once approval has been obtained, we will schedule a date for surgery.

A second visit is required prior to your date of surgery to review the risks and benefits and perform a complete physical examination. You will then be escorted to the hospital day surgery area to complete your preoperative evaluation. There, you may meet with nurses, anesthesiologists, dieticians, physical therapists, and other providers who will participate in your care while in the hospital.

You will return to the hospital the morning your surgery is scheduled. Dr. Provost will again meet with you prior to your surgery. The majority of our gastric bypass procedures take from one and a half to two and a half hours. Recovery time in the hospital following your surgery is usually one to three days, depending on the procedure. You will return to see your surgeon about one week following discharge for an examination, to remove sutures or staples if necessary, and to advance your diet. An additional visit is required at 4 to 5 weeks for gastric bypass patients to discuss the next stage of dietary changes. Additional follow-up visits are maintained at 3 month intervals for the first year or two following weight loss surgery, then annually for life.

INSURANCE OPTIONS
We strongly recommend that you attend one of our monthly information, question-and-answer sessions prior to your initial appointment to learn about the different surgical treatment options and whether insurance will cover your procedure. You can also check your health insurance policy or inquire with your human resources department to determine if surgery for obesity is a covered benefit, and what requirements are necessary. Both gastric bypass and the Lap-Band procedure are covered under Medicare, when medically necessary.

To expedite the insurance approval process, our office will contact you prior to your appointment to confirm coverage and that all prerequisites have been met. Please bring a written record of previous attempts at weight reduction, as well as copies of medical records from any physician-supervised weight loss programs. Cash payment plans are available for patients who choose to pay for their weight loss surgery out of pocket.