MEET Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD, ABOM, MSCR, AGAF, FASGE

Gastroenterologist Dr. Christopher McGowan is a national and international leader in endobariatrics and brings 20+ years of training, education and expertise to this innovative field of medicine. As the nation’s leader in endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedures, Dr. McGowan has performed more than 2,000 procedures—more than any single physician in the United States. Patients have traveled to Dr. McGowan from more than 48 states and 10 countries for his unrivaled expertise in endoscopic weight loss procedures.

Known as an expert among experts, Dr. McGowan frequently educates and trains physician colleagues from all over the world on the precise suturing techniques required for a successful endobariatric procedure. His research has been featured in the leading medical journals, including Obesity Surgery, Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Endoscopy, and Video GIE. In addition to those and others publications, Dr. McGowan has been recognized nationwide by the media as the leading voice on endobariatric weight loss and featured in numerous articles, interviews, and published reports.

A true pioneer in the field, Dr. McGowan was the first gastroenterologist in North Carolina and one of the first physicians in the country to perform the ESG procedure. Likewise, he was one of the first physicians in the United States to place the Obalon balloon, the AspireAssist device, and the Spatz balloon, for which he has served as a Principal Investigator in the FDA post-approval study.

As one of the few physicians in the nation triple-board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Obesity Medicine, Dr. McGowan uses a combination of procedural, medical and nutritional therapies to help his patients lose the weight they need to be the healthiest and happiest they can be.

Dr. McGowan received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Brown University, where he served as Chief Medical Resident. He completed his Gastroenterology fellowship training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his fellowship, he received advanced training in epidemiology and clinical research methodology, culminating in a Master of Science in Clinical Research from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Dr. McGowan is also certified in Motivational Interviewing, a goal directed counseling style designed to help individuals resolve internal ambivalence and harness the motivation to create positive behavior change. This evidence-based method improves treatment outcomes by supporting patients on their journey while strengthening their motivations and well-being.

Dr. McGowan is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy and the Obesity Medicine Association. He is STAR Certified in endoscopic suturing by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He is also a Fellow of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Gastroenterology Association.

In his free time, Dr. McGowan enjoys all forms of exercise, including CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting, and can be seen working out each morning before the sun rises. His wife, Grace, is a hematologist at Duke University and he has two young children, Ada and Nico.

Read online reviews for Dr. McGowan at Healthgrades, Vitals, and RateMDs, or view a sample of recent reviews below.