Albany Surgical, P.C. - Serving South Georgia for Over 57 Years

Albany Surgical, P.C. is a five physician practice of board certified specialists in general surgery.  Established in 1954, Albany Surgical is the largest general surgery practice in Albany, and one of the oldest and largest practices in South Georgia. Albany Surgical is the only practice in Georgia to offer gastric band surgery in both Albany and Valdosta, Georgia.

We have been performing Gastric Band weight loss surgery since 2002--longer than any other practice in South Georgia.  Surgery is performed in Albany at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Palmyra Medical Center, as well as at Smith Northview Hospital in Valdosta.  Albany Surgical is the only practice in Albany offering gastric band surgery at both Albany hospitals.  Regardless of your hospital preference or whether you prefer Lap-Band or the new REALIZE band, we can serve your needs.

Minimally invasive Lap-Band bariatric surgery procedures are performed by board certified surgeons  Joseph J. Burnette and Christopher C. Smith.

Click here to read a profile of our gastric band program that was published in Ladies Home Journal July 2008 issue.

Meet Our Lap-Band Surgeons

Joseph J. Burnette, MD

Joseph J. Burnette, MD is a board certified general surgeon that has practiced in Albany since 1990.  Dr. Burnette was one of the founders of the Palmyra Medical Center obesity surgery program in 2002, and has been performing Lap-Band surgery since that time.  Dr. Burnette is also the founding physician of the Lap-Band obesity surgery program at Smith Northview Hospital in Valdosta, where he also performs Lap-Band surgery in addition to the Palmyra program.

Dr. Burnette  earned a B.S. degree in biology from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, then attended graduate school at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Dr. Burnette earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham in 1985.

Dr. Burnette completed his internship and residency at Baptist Medical Centers in Birmingham prior to entering private practice in Albany in 1990.  Dr. Burnette is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, and is a member of numerous medical societies and associations.

Dr. Burnette has privileges at both Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Palmyra Medical Center in Albany, as well as Smith Northview Hospital in Valdosta, Georgia, and has held various medical staff appointments including Chief of Staff. 

Dr. Burnette has performed or assisted in hundreds of successful gastric band surgeries since 2002. In addition to Lap-Band bariatric surgery, Dr. Burnette maintains a full practice in all aspects of general surgery, including gastrointestinal surgery, surgery of the skin and soft tissues, endocrine and thyroid surgery, breast surgery, cancer surgery, and anti-reflux surgery for treatment of severe GERD.

Appointments with Dr. Burnette may be scheduled by calling (229) 434-4200 or 1-800-537-6107.

Christopher C. Smith, MD, FACS

Christopher C. Smith, MD, FACS is a board certified general surgeon that has practiced in Albany since 1983.  A native of Tifton, Georgia, Dr. Smith earned a B.S. degree from the the University of Georgia, and then earned the Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

Dr. Smith completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta, where he also served as chief resident.  Dr. Chris Smith is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Smith is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the Georgia Society of General Surgeons (founding member and president), Georgia Surgical Society, Medical Association of Georgia, American College of Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Congress, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and the Dougherty County Medical Society.

Dr. Smith has full privileges at both Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Palmyra Medical Center, and has held various medical staff appointments including Chief of
Staff.  Dr. Smith is certified to perform both Lap-Band and Realize Band surgery.

In addition to gastric band surgery, Dr. Smith maintains a full practice in all aspects of general surgery, including gastrointestinal surgery, surgery of the skin and soft tissues, endocrine and thyroid surgery, breast surgery, cancer surgery, and anti-reflux surgery for treatment of severe GERD.

Appointments with Dr. Smith may be scheduled by calling 229-434-4200 or 1-800-537-6107.