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Dr. John Pilcher, MD - Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery in San Antonio, Texas

Dr. John Pilcher, MD

Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery

San Antonio, Texas
Telehealth ↗
NPI: 1356339550· License: K6688 (TX) verify
Medical school: University Of Virginia School Of Medicine · Graduated 1990(~36 yrs since med school)
Industry payments (2024): $41,460 across 52 payments (what this means)
4.94(66 ratings)

In Dr. John Pilcher's own words

How Dr. John Pilcher describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.

Approach

  • We found that obesity responds to multimodal therapy a lot like cancer does
  • We think less about using weight loss meds when people are at the very high end of the weight spectrum
  • One other place where we think less about medicine is where people are just above a healthy weight
  • So if a person only needs to lose 20 or 30 pounds we would want to really focus on lifestyle interventions to get that weight down

Technique

  • Dr. John Pilcher's practice closely monitors patients' vitamin levels after bariatric surgery.
  • Dr. John Pilcher's practice often uses semaglutide injectable drugs in conjunction with bariatric surgery.

Recovery guidance

  • Although we caution people against getting pregnant in that first year as people are losing a lot of weight

Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. John Pilcher's own public posts and are their claims, not NavMDs' medical advice. Doctors can correct or remove any item via their claimed profile or support [at] navmds.com.

About

Dr. John Pilcher is a Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery, practicing in San Antonio, Texas. He specializes in bariatric procedures, including Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Dr. Pilcher considers bariatric surgery the gold standard treatment for individuals with significant weight loss needs, noting it can be a more suitable option for achieving significant and lasting weight loss when injections might not be enough. He emphasizes nutrition, recommending low-carb recipes like spaghetti squash for weight loss support and for bariatric surgery patients. Dr. Pilcher also provides food coaching, guiding patients on healthy eating, such as focusing on healthy fats, proteins, and vegetables for pre-workout energy. He advises on the combined use of weight loss injections and bariatric surgery to enhance results, and stresses the importance of creating a safe plan for health and family when considering pregnancy while on weight loss medications.

Connect with Dr. John Pilcher on Social Media

Specialties

  • Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery

Procedures & Services

Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. John Pilcher

Sourced directly from Dr. John Pilcher's social posts and replies.

What dietary recommendations does the practice offer for weight loss and bariatric patients?
The practice recommends a low-carb spaghetti squash no-pasta recipe to support weight loss, particularly for bariatric surgery patients who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, or SADI procedures.
Can you provide the recipe for the low-carb spaghetti squash no-pasta night?
The recipe involves cooking 1 zucchini in boiling water until slightly softened, browning 1 lb ground meat, adding 1/2 jar organic pasta sauce and letting it simmer. For the spaghetti squash, cut it in half, lightly oil it with olive oil, and bake it face-down at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. After baking, scoop out the cooked squash, salt and pepper it, and serve it next to the sauce.
What are the practice's recommendations for pre-workout nutrition?
It is not necessary to consume pasta and bread before working out. Instead, healthy fats, proteins, and vegetables provide the necessary nutrients. The body can also utilize its stored energy if additional energy is required.
Does the practice offer food coaching?
Yes, the practice is excited to offer food coaching services.
How do weight loss injections compare to bariatric surgery for weight loss, and can they be combined?
There are situations where weight loss injections may not be sufficient for weight loss. Bariatric surgery can be a more suitable option for achieving significant and lasting weight loss. The practice also notes that weight loss injections and bariatric surgery can be combined to significantly enhance results.
What should patients know about weight loss medications and pregnancy?
Weight loss medications are not approved for use during pregnancy. It is important to create a safe and effective plan for your health and your family when considering pregnancy while on these medications.

From Dr. John Pilcher's Instagram

@sage_bariatric →

Recent photos posted by @sage_bariatric, Dr. John Pilcher's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.

Images © Dr. John Pilcher / @sage_bariatric, shown here with a link to the original post. Procedure labels are inferred from the post's caption and hashtags. If you are the account owner and want an image removed, contact support [at] navmds.com.

Patient Experience

Dr. John Pilcher Review Summary

4.92
Dr. Pilcher receives stellar reviews across multiple platforms. He boasts a perfect 5.0 rating from patient reviews, a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 on Healthgrades, and a 5-star rating on Google. Patients consistently praise his skill, compassion, and supportive staff.

Ratings from Other Platforms

healthgrades.com

4.9 out of 5

Based on 85 reviews

View on healthgrades.com

Google Reviews

5 out of 5

Based on 46 reviews

View on Google Reviews
Dr. John Pilcher, MD - Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery in San Antonio, Texas

Main Office

9618 Huebner Rd #202, San Antonio, Texas

(210) 651-0303

Book a Service Consultation

Each service is approximately 60 minutes.

Industry Payments

Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.

Total received (2024)

$41,460

Payments

52

Compared to peers

Above average

Dr. John Pilcher received $41,460 across 52 payments in 2024. That is higher than about 89% of the physicians here who received any industry payment. Most of it was categorised as education, and the largest single payer was INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC..

What this means for your care

  • A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
  • Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
  • Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
  • A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”

Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗

Patient Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Insurance Information

Please contact Dr. John Pilcher's office directly for information about accepted insurance plans.

Phone: (210) 651-0303

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Location & Contact Information

Main Office

9618 Huebner Rd #202

San Antonio, Texas 78240

Office Information

Phone: (210) 651-0303

Where does Dr. John Pilcher practice?

Doctor's Office

Main Office (Primary)

9618 Huebner Rd #202, San Antonio, Texas 78240

(5 reviews)

Hospital Affiliations

Hospital affiliations unknown

Do you know which hospitals Dr. John Pilcher is affiliated with? This information helps patients understand where they might receive care.

Education & Experience

Certifications & Licenses

Board Certified In General Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an appointment with Dr. John Pilcher online?
The provided information doesn't confirm online booking availability. Contacting the office directly at (210) 651-0303 or checking the listed hospital websites is recommended for appointment scheduling.
Does Dr. John Pilcher offer telehealth?
The provided information does not specify whether Dr. Pilcher offers telehealth services. It's best to contact his office directly to inquire about telehealth options.
What do patients have to say about Dr. John Pilcher?
Patients consistently describe positive experiences with Dr. Pilcher, highlighting his compassion, amazing staff, and surgical expertise. Reviews frequently mention "great experience," "great doctor," and describe him as a "wonderful surgeon." He is praised for helping patients take the "first step to the rest of your best life."
What areas of care does Dr. John Pilcher cater to?
Dr. Pilcher's primary area of care is bariatric surgery, specializing in procedures like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery. He also practices general surgery and addresses the mechanisms of obesity, surgical techniques, and patient experiences related to these areas. The practice considers bariatric surgery the gold standard treatment for individuals with significant weight loss needs.