Question:
Can anyone give me Information on Dr. Mark Lockett, Gen. Surgeon?

He's a new surgeon in Johnson city, TN and will be starting Lap. rny the first of the year.    — CLAUDIA P. (posted on December 22, 2001)

March 9, 2002
March 9th 2002~ Claudia, I too am searching for information on Dr. Lockett. I recently found him just by accident when I was calling around the area trying to find surgeons in my area that perform WLS. Here is the information I have found in my research so far... He is orginally from SC and that is where he attended the Medical Univ of SC. He graduated in 1994 and did his residency there from 94-2000. He is a member of the American Board of Surgery and got such awards as the Curtis Artz Award (SCEMS), Faculty Excellence Award (MUSC), and the Resident Teaching Award (MUSC). From what I can tell, he has had no criminal offenses or libility claims to date. He is not listed on the ASBS website as being a member there, though I have heard too that there are surgeons who have applied or may already be members, but just might not be listed on there yet. I did find after talking to someone in his office that he has only performed this surgery about 30 times. 10 or those being lap and 20 or them open surgeries. But I can tell you this much for sure though. His office staff is VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! I have called them several times in the past couple weeks and I have yet to talk to anyone there who was not completely overly kind to me and willing to help me in any way. They arent pushy and rude like the average medical office staff normally is. So far I have been very impressed by his office personnel and if they represent at all the type person he is, then I am sure I will really like this doctor! I have made an appointment to see Dr. Lockett on April 4th. So I will let you know more after my inital consult.
   — Milissa S.

April 8, 2002
4/8/02 ~ Claudia, I saw Dr. Lockett on 4/4/02 and found him to be a very kind and friendly man. He seems to really be genuinely concerned about this procedure and the treatment of morbidly obese persons. He seems to have a good bedside manner from what I could tell from my consultation with him. He is very thorough and takes alot of time to talk to you and make sure you understand what this procedure is all about and what effects it will not only have on your body, but in your life as well. After he sees his patients for consult he then does a mini seminar type slide show presentation where he again goes into greater detail about the surgery and what all it involves. Outside of going to Nashville for this procedure, he was the closest surgeon to my area that does this surgery. Although, I did do quite a bit of research on him before I chose him to be my surgeon. He is fairly young and is still kinda new to this particular procedure. He is, however, a very experienced and well respected surgeon from the information I was able to gather together on him. He will tell you that he has not performed all that many of these surgeries, but that he feels confident in his abilities and his past training and experience to perform the surgery. Right now as he is just getting his practice started, he does do lap procedure on some of his patients, although he does have a certain criteria you have to meet before he will agree to perform the surgery laproscopically. I believe some of those factors depend on if you are a male or female, how much you weigh, and any previous medical Hx of surgeries in the abdominal region. Overall I was quite impressed by his manners, his professionalism, and his honesty. You know there are alot of health care providers out there that just are out to make a buck, but he didn't seem to be that type of doctor at all. I will tell you again, his office staff is exceptional!!! They have gone above and beyond to be kind and helpful and to assist me with such issues as medical questions, appointment scheduling, insurance matters, etc. I have yet to talk to anyone in his office, either on the phone or in person, who has not been more than totally polite and helpful. Although I have not yet had this surgery, I am looking forward to being one of Dr. Lockett's first patients. I await my surgery date with great anticipation and feel quite confident that I have chosen a very caring and competent surgeon. . And after I reach my goal weight, and I am able to live a happier and healthier life, I plan to be a walking billboard for him!!! What better marketing tool could you possibly have???
   — Milissa S.