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Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD

Accepting New Patients
(Matthew D. Spann, MD)
Specializes in: General Practice, Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine (2008)
Professional interests include: weight loss, gastrointestinal surgery, endoscopy, and more.
719 Thompson Lane Suite 22200
Nashville, TN 37204

Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD is a general practitioner in Nashville, TN specializing in general practice, bariatric surgery and general surgery. He graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine in 2008 and has 18 years of experience. Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD is affiliated with Vanderbilt Health.

View Doctor's Full Profile (615) 322-5000

Office Locations

719 Thompson Lane Suite 22200
Nashville, TN 37204
open_in_new

Vanderbilt Health

1272 Garrison Drive Suite 309
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 322-6000
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Some issues Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD can help you with:

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that promotes weight loss by reducing the stomach and altering how the digestive system absorbs and processes food. The procedure treats morbid obesity, where one's weight impairs day-to-day function or poses serious health risks. Gastric bypass surgery is used only after other weight loss treatments are unsuccessful.

Generally, gastric bypass surgery is performed on patients who have a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgeons frequently expect patients to first attempt natural weight loss for about six months to prove to the surgeon that the patient is capable of maintaining a post-surgery diet and exercise regimen.

For obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has many potential health and weight benefits. Gastric bypass surgery restricts the amount of food the stomach contains, as well as:

  • Reduces the calories the stomach absorbs
  • Alters gastrointestinal hormones, which help to heal obesity-induced metabolic syndrome
  • Suppresses appetite
  • Alleviates conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity, such as obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
  • Contributes to mental health by improving self-esteem

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is stapled to reduce its size, and a small hole is created in the stomach and attached to the middle section of the small intestine. This direct connection between the stomach and the middle of the small intestine creates a channel for some food to bypass the normal route. By bypassing the upper small intestine and larger region of the stomach, food is not fully absorbed and patients do not retain the same amount of calories as before. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as "Roux-en-Y" gastric bypass surgery. Some bariatric surgeons may perform a "laparoscopic bypass" which uses a tiny camera (laparoscope) to guide the procedure.

Gastric bypass surgery is performed with general anesthesia and as preparation, a liquid diet is required for two weeks prior to undergoing the surgery. After the surgery, patients will spend about two days in the hospital and may miss work for two to three weeks. In the first month after the surgery, patients are only able to consume small portions of liquid or soft food. Even after reintroducing solid food, patients feel full quickly, sometimes after eating just two or three tablespoons. Some patients experience "dumping syndrome" (rapid processing of food into the small intestine), which is common during the recovery process. Gastric bypass surgery patients must also make permanent lifestyle changes. For example, gastric bypass patients are required to take vitamins for life after surgery and required to forever avoid certain foods, such as alcohol, sugar, and high fat food.

While the gastric bypass recovery process can be challenging, surgery results are usually swift: most gastric bypass surgery patients lose nearly half to two thirds of their starting weight within two years of surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.

By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.

Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.

Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD treated as a general practitioner in Nashville, TN during 2013 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery 16
gastrointestinal procedures 16
minimally invasive procedures 16
weight management 16

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2013

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 59
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 55
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 52
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD treated as a general practitioner in Nashville, TN during 2014 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery 20
doctor visit 27
gastrointestinal procedures 20
minimally invasive procedures 20
weight management 20

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 25
Female 51
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 51

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2014

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 30
Depression 55
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 20
Diabetes 47
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD treated as a general practitioner in Nashville, TN during 2015 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, bypass surgery and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery 13
diagnostic procedures 12
doctor visit 68
gastrointestinal procedures 25
minimally invasive procedures 25
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 12
weight management 13

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 42
Female 102
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 120
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 42
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 102

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2015

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 36
Depression 49
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 50
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD treated as a general practitioner in Nashville, TN during 2016 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, bypass surgery and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery 12
diagnostic procedures 11
doctor visit 49
gastrointestinal procedures 23
minimally invasive procedures 23
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 11
weight management 12

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 18
Female 64
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 66
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 28
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 54

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2016

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 61
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 34
Depression 43
Chronic Kidney Disease 43
Asthma 21
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 50
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 22

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 11
Female 43
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 36

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2017

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 56
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 44
Chronic Kidney Disease 46
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 50
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 38

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 12
Female 43
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 43
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2018

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 38
Depression 65
Chronic Kidney Disease 58
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 24
Diabetes 55
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 53

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 15
Female 55
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 57
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 37

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2019

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 57
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 30
Depression 61
Chronic Kidney Disease 46
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 17
Diabetes 44
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 16

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 15
Female 52
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 47
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 43

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2020

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 73
Chronic Kidney Disease 39
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 36
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 36

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 14
Female 48
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 50
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2021

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 40
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 32
Depression 56
Chronic Kidney Disease 42
Asthma 18
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 37
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 12

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 11
Female 33
Age
From 65 to 74 23
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD in 2022

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 34
Depression 61
Chronic Kidney Disease 41
Asthma 27
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 43
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD treated as a general practitioner in Nashville, TN were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, bypass surgery and weight management.

bypass surgery 15
diagnostic procedures 11
doctor visit 35
gastrointestinal procedures 21
minimally invasive procedures 21
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 11
weight management 15

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD.

Gender
Male 16
Female 49
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 38
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 39
65 to 74 9

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD From 2013 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and diabetes.

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 56
Chronic Kidney Disease 36
Asthma 11
Osteoporosis 0
Heart Failure 18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 6
Diabetes 46
Atrial Fibrillation 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Education & Training

Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine in 2008. He completed residency at University of Alabama Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has a state license in Tennessee.

Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine (2008)

Residency: University of Alabama Affiliated Hospitals (2013)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery

Licensed In: Tennessee

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Vanderbilt Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 168 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Nashville, TN. 

4.9
Overall Rating
Leave a Review
Reviews From Around The Web
Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-08-25
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr Span was recommended to me by an ex coworker that has worked with him & I will say that she gave me the best recommendation for me. His bedside manner is fabulous & he truely cares about making his patients lives better.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-09-01
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr Spann is very thorough and is great in making sure you understand.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Novo Nordisk Inc $2,017 Saxenda
$216 		Wegovy
$28
$1,773
Ethicon US, LLC $994 Endoscopy Endocutters
$884 		ECHELON FLEX CST System
$110
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. $459 SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple
$211 		SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement
$204 		BIO A Tissue Reinforcement
$36 		Product in Development
$8
Davol Inc. $148 DAV-Phasix
$148
Medtronic, Inc. $113 Signia
$113
Other $149 Da Vinci Surgical System
$84 		Surgical Energy Products
$65
Types of Payments
Consulting Fee $1,760
Food and Beverage $1,441
Travel and Lodging $679

Research Payments

Dr. Matthew Drake Spann, MD has received 5 research payments totaling $24,844.

Biography

Dr. Matthew Spann's specialties are general practice, general surgery, and bariatric surgery. He practices in Nashville, TN and Murfreesboro, TN. Dr. Spann's areas of expertise include the following: obesity, gastric bypass surgery, and metabolic disorders. He is affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). His education and training includes medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Alabama. Patients rated Dr. Spann highly, giving him an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). He has an open panel in NASHVILLE, TN according to Doctor.com.

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