TriStar Centennial Center For the Treatment of Obesity

Weight Loss Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee

Call (615) 342-12312200 Murphy Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

3.3 (3 reviews)

About TriStar Centennial Center For the Treatment of Obesity

Treatment at TriStar Centennial Center For the Treatment of Obesity

TriStar Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity is one of Nashville's most established hospital-based weight loss programs. It operates within the TriStar Health network, giving patients access to a broad team of specialists without needing referrals to outside facilities. The center treats obesity as a chronic medical condition, and the clinical approach reflects that. From day one, the focus is on building a plan that fits your specific health profile.

The program covers both medically supervised weight loss and surgical options for patients who qualify. Physicians, registered dietitians, behavioral health specialists, and exercise consultants work together on individualized care plans. Because it's hospital-affiliated, patients pursuing bariatric surgery move through evaluation, preparation, and recovery with consistent support from the same team. That continuity matters for long-term outcomes. Nashville residents who've tried other programs and want a more structured, medically rigorous approach often find this center fits what they're looking for.

Services Offered

The center offers a full spectrum of weight loss services for patients at different stages. Medical weight management is available for those who aren't surgical candidates or who prefer to start without surgery. This includes physician-supervised care, prescription medications such as GLP-1 agonists and appetite suppressants, and structured follow-up to track progress and make adjustments. For patients who qualify by BMI and health criteria, the center provides bariatric surgery consultations and procedures. Options include gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric banding. Pre-surgical preparation is thorough: lab work, cardiac screening, a sleep study when indicated, nutritional counseling, and a psychological evaluation all happen before a procedure is scheduled. Registered dietitians work with every patient, regardless of whether surgery is on the table. The nutrition guidance is ongoing and adjusted as your weight and habits change over time. Behavioral health support is built into the program to help patients address emotional eating and habits that contribute to weight regain. The center also runs a medically supervised meal replacement program for patients who need faster initial weight reduction before other interventions. Follow-up care is built into every track, with check-ins at regular intervals. The team's goal is to catch issues early rather than waiting for patients to self-report problems weeks later.

Weight Loss Centers

Treatment Options

Medical Weight Management

A physician-supervised program using FDA-approved medications, structured dietary guidance, and regular monitoring appointments. Designed for patients who aren't surgical candidates or who want to try a non-surgical route first before considering more involved options.

Ongoing; reviewed at 3-month intervals$150-$300 per visit

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Laparoscopic removal of a large portion of the stomach, reducing its size and altering hunger-related hormones in ways that support sustained weight loss. It's one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures with solid long-term data behind it.

Surgery plus 12-18 months of follow-up$15,000-$25,000 self-pay; often covered by insurance

Gastric Bypass Surgery

A procedure that reroutes part of the digestive tract, limiting both stomach capacity and calorie absorption at the same time. Often recommended for patients with higher BMI or significant type 2 diabetes who may benefit more from the metabolic effects.

Surgery plus 18-24 months of follow-up$20,000-$30,000 self-pay; often covered by insurance

Medically Supervised Meal Replacement

A structured program using portion-controlled meal replacement products alongside physician oversight to achieve rapid but safe initial weight loss. Often used to reduce weight before surgery or as a standalone option for patients who aren't surgical candidates.

12-16 weeks$500-$1,200 total

What to Expect

The process starts with an orientation session that gives prospective patients an overview of all available program tracks. After orientation, you schedule an initial consultation with a bariatric physician who reviews your health history, current medications, BMI, and any conditions that may affect your options. Based on that review, the team recommends a path forward.

For surgical candidates, the evaluation phase involves multiple appointments: lab work, imaging, cardiac clearance if needed, a sleep study, a nutrition consultation, and a psychological evaluation. Insurance prior authorization can add several weeks to the timeline, and patients should plan for this from the start.

Non-surgical patients typically begin with monthly physician appointments alongside nutritional counseling sessions. Meal plans and medication adjustments happen based on how each patient responds. The team sets measured milestones rather than pushing for rapid loss, since medically unsupervised rapid weight loss carries its own risks. All tracks include built-in follow-up to monitor progress and address plateaus or complications early.

Why Choose TriStar Centennial Center For the Treatment of Obesity

The strongest case for choosing this center is what the hospital affiliation actually means in practice. If your evaluation turns up a cardiac issue or another condition that needs specialist attention, the referral process stays within the TriStar network. You don't start over. That kind of coordination is genuinely useful for patients with complex health histories.

The clinical staff specializes in obesity treatment, which isn't true of every weight loss program in Nashville. Bariatric physicians and surgeons here focus on this area by training and by practice. That specialization tends to produce more thorough pre-treatment evaluations and more individualized recommendations.

For patients who meet surgical criteria, the accreditation of the surgical program matters from a safety standpoint. For non-surgical patients, the integration of nutrition, behavioral health, and medical management in one place reduces the fragmentation that usually makes long-term weight management so difficult. It's a larger clinical environment, so it doesn't feel as personal as a boutique practice. But it's thorough, and for many patients that's the priority.

Insurance & Pricing

The center accepts most major insurance plans including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage for bariatric surgery typically requires documented medical necessity, a qualifying BMI, and evidence of at least one obesity-related condition. Most plans also require documentation of prior supervised weight loss attempts. The center's billing and insurance coordination team can help verify benefits before treatment starts.

Self-pay pricing is available for patients whose plans don't cover bariatric procedures. Medical weight management may fall under different benefit categories than surgery, so it's worth reviewing both. Calling the billing office before your first appointment is the best way to understand what your specific plan covers and what out-of-pocket costs to expect.

First-Time Patient Tips

Before your first appointment, pull together your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any documentation of previous weight loss attempts. Insurance plans that cover bariatric surgery almost always require proof that you've tried other approaches first, so having that history ready speeds things up.

If you're pursuing surgical options, adjust your expectations about the timeline. Getting through pre-surgical clearance takes longer than most patients anticipate, and insurance authorization can add weeks beyond that. Try not to get discouraged by the pace. The thoroughness is what makes the surgical process safer.

Bring real questions to your consultation. Ask about surgical risks, recovery expectations, and what the first year after surgery actually looks like day to day. The more clearly you understand what's ahead, the better your decisions throughout the process will be.

Keep your follow-up appointments once you're in any program track. Patients who skip check-ins when things are going well tend to run into issues later that could have been caught earlier.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Hospital affiliation means specialist referrals stay within one network, so patients with complex conditions don't have to start over at a separate facility.
The center offers both surgical and non-surgical weight loss tracks under one clinical team, giving patients more options than a single-approach program.
Most major insurance plans are accepted, and the billing team helps patients navigate prior authorization before treatment begins.

Things to Consider

A 3.3 average rating suggests the patient experience isn't consistently positive, with some reviews pointing to communication gaps and wait times.
The pre-surgical clearance process involves many appointments and can stretch over several months before a procedure date is ever set.

Service Area

The center primarily serves patients from Davidson County and the surrounding Middle Tennessee region. Its Midtown Nashville location makes it accessible from communities like Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, and Smyrna. Patients from Rutherford and Wilson counties regularly travel to Nashville for specialty bariatric services not available closer to home. Parking is on-site at the Centennial campus, and the facility is accessible by Nashville's public transit system for city residents who prefer not to drive.

Interior of TriStar Centennial Center For the Treatment of Obesity

Local Insight

Nashville's healthcare landscape is dense, with major hospital systems operating throughout the metro area. Specialty bariatric centers with full surgical capabilities are less common than general weight loss clinics, making hospital-affiliated programs a distinct option in the market. The Midtown campus sits close to other major medical facilities, which is useful for patients managing multiple health conditions simultaneously. For Middle Tennessee residents ready to move beyond what primary care alone can offer for weight management, Nashville's specialist infrastructure provides real options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to be seen at the center?

Most patients can self-refer by calling to schedule an orientation session. However, depending on your insurance plan, a referral from your primary care physician may be required for coverage purposes. It's worth checking with your insurer before your first call.

What BMI qualifies me for bariatric surgery?

Most bariatric programs require a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one qualifying obesity-related condition such as diabetes or sleep apnea. Your physician will confirm eligibility during the initial evaluation based on your full health profile.

How long does the pre-surgical process take?

Most patients should expect three to six months from first consultation to surgery date. Insurance prior authorization is often the longest part of that timeline and isn't something the center fully controls.

Are GLP-1 medications like semaglutide available through the program?

Yes, physician-supervised medical weight management at the center can include GLP-1 receptor agonists when clinically appropriate. Coverage for these medications varies by insurance plan, and your physician will discuss options based on your health profile and what your plan allows.

What does post-surgical follow-up look like?

Post-surgical patients typically have appointments at one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year after the procedure, with ongoing annual check-ins after that. Nutrition and behavioral health follow-up is built into the post-surgical program, not offered separately.

Can I use the center if I've already had bariatric surgery elsewhere?

Yes, the center sees patients who've had previous procedures and need ongoing management, nutritional support, or evaluation for revision surgery. Bring your surgical records and any follow-up documentation from your previous care team to the first appointment.

What's included in the psychological evaluation?

The evaluation assesses readiness for surgery, looks at any history of eating disorders or mental health conditions that could affect outcomes, and identifies areas where behavioral support would help. It's not a pass-or-fail test; it's designed to set patients up for better results.

Does the center offer virtual appointments?

Some follow-up appointments and consultations may be available via telehealth depending on the visit type and your insurance plan. Initial evaluations typically require in-person attendance. Ask about telehealth options when you call to schedule.