Dr. Donald Balder is a surgeon with over 20 years of professional experience. He founded the Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery in September 2016, with two locations in Mississippi and another location in Louisiana: Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Slidell.
After completing his undergrad at the University of Illinois, Dr. Balder continued his studies there, earning his medical degree before completing his surgery residency at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He holds board certification in general surgery and has state licensure in Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
During his time in the Carolinas, Dr. Balder became a weight loss pioneer, establishing several minimally invasive surgery and weight loss programs at McLeod Regional Medical Center and the Carolinas Hospital System from 1997 to 2004. He performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure in South Carolina, as well as the first series of incision-less weight loss surgeries, and the first single incision laparoscopic surgery.
Dr. Balder has amassed numerous accolades during his career, including designation as an American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons Center of Excellence Surgeon by the Surgical Review Corporation, and several Center of Distinction Awards from Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, and Aetna.
Dedicated to helping patients live their best life, Dr. Balder sticks by his vision: offering and delivering the best, high-quality, compassionate, patient-focused care in the Southeast.
