Fermin Fontan, MD

Dr. Fontan is one of the physicians at the Memorial Heartburn Center and New Mexico Bariatric Institute. He provides solutions to metabolic, weight loss and gastroesophageal reflux diseases for the people of New Mexico. Born and raised in Argentina, Dr. Fontan speaks English and Spanish fluently. He specializes in bariatric surgery, robotically assisted bariatric surgery, foregut surgery and endoscopy. Dr. Fontan studied medicine at Universidad de Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires in Argentina. He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, MA. He completed his fellowship in Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery at the University of Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Fontan performs robotically-assisted sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and duodenal switch bariatric procedures. Robotic surgery can importantly mean less pain and shorter recovery times for patients. In addition to his weight loss practice, he also specializes in relief for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He performs procedures including hiatal hernia repair, Nissen fundoplication, partial fundoplication such as Toupet and Dor fundoplication, LINX procedure, TIF procedure and Stretta procedure. When asked about what kind of patient care Dr. Fontan brings to the Memorial team, he explains that his passion for practicing medicine is driven by the long-term relationships he develops with his patients while treating them. Dr. Fontan states, "our practice is an interdisciplinary group of highly motivated professionals to tailor therapy to each individual in order to achieve the best possible outcome." When not at work, Dr. Fontan likes to paint, hike, and spend time with his family.